Page 8 - Mazars Central and Eastern European tax guide 2023
P. 8

Austria                                                                                                                rentals with a residential purpose, entertainment and   Investment income (e.g., interest, dividends, capital gains
                                                                                                                                  art. Many exemptions are in place (e.g., exports, interest,
                                                                                                                                                                                      from investments) is generally subject to a separate tax
                                                                                                                                  insurance premiums, real estate). Entrepreneurs with   rate of 27.5%. Capital gains from real estate are subject
                                                                                                                                  annual net sales not exceeding EUR 35,000 are exempt   to a tax rate of 30%.
                                                                                                                                  from VAT obligations. Non-residents trading in Austria   Certain private expenses are deductible under conditions
                                                                                                                                  (B2C) are subject to registration immediately, unless they
                               Mazars Austria GmbH                                                                                are applying for the OSS (central VAT compliance in their   (e.g., donations to charities, churches, tax advisory fees,
                               Kärntner Ring 5–7                                                                                  EU-home country). Monthly/quarterly returns are filed   tax losses carried forward).
                               1010 Vienna                                                                                        electronically, and annual returns must be completed   Partnerships are not subject to income tax themselves.
                               Phone : +43 1 531 74-0                                                                             by 30 June of the following year. Companies represented   Their profit is subject to either income tax or corporate
                               E-mail: vienna@mazars.at                                                                           by a tax advisor can have the deadline extended     income tax at the level of the partners.
                               www.mazars.at
                                                                                                                                  substantially.
                                                                                                                                                                                      In Austria, a compulsory public social security system
                                                                                                                                                                                      is in place.
                                                                                                                                  Excise for certain alcoholic drinks (e.g., wine, beer),
                                                                                                                                  natural gas, oil, coal, etc. in line with the EU system.  Social security contributions for employees are partly
                                                                                                                                                                                      borne by the employee and by the employer. The base
           Corporate taxes and other direct taxes              companies (GmbH); for GmbHs the minimum amounts                    Personal income tax / Social security system        is the gross salary and benefits. A maximum contribution
                                                               are further reduced for the first 10 years of existence. Any                                                           base of EUR 81,900 per year for 2023 applies. The social
           Under the domestic tax law, corporations are deemed   unused minimum amounts can be offset against future CIT          According to the domestic tax law, individuals are   security contributions amount to 39.15% (18.12%
           to be tax resident in Austria if they have either their   payment obligations.                                         deemed to be tax resident in Austria if they have their   employee and 21.03% employer). Additionally, employers
           registered seat or their effective place of management   Tax losses can be carried forward indefinitely (but only 75%   residence or habitual abode in Austria. In this case, the   are obliged to pay various other payroll-related costs
           in Austria. In which case, the worldwide income of the   of the profit of a single year can be offset).                individual's worldwide income is subject to Austrian   amounting to approximately 8.6%.
           corporation is generally subject to Austrian corporate   Thin capitalization rules (TCR) are in place in accordance    income tax. Other individuals are subject to tax on income
           income tax. Other corporations are subject to Austrian   with the EU-ATAD (Anti Tax Avoidance Directive). Further      from their Austrian sources.                        For self-employed persons, the same maximum
           corporate income tax only on the basis of income    restrictions relate to the deduction of interest paid              The term income is specified in the Income Tax Act.   contribution base is used (EUR 81,900 per year for 2023).
           generated from Austrian sources. Partnerships are   to intercompany recipients. CFC rules were introduced              Tax rates are progressive from 0% (for yearly income   Social security contributions amount to 26.83%. This
           not subject to CIT. The corporate income tax rate   in accordance with the EU-ATAD.                                    up to EUR 11,693) to 55% (for yearly income exceeding   insurance covers health insurance, pension insurance and
           is currently 24%. The tax rate will be reduced to 23% from   Some 100 Double Tax Treaties are in place. Withholding    EUR 1,000,000). Certain allowances are available    accident insurance. For the first 3 years, lower contribution
           2024 onwards.                                       tax can be reduced at source to treaty rates or under              depending on the taxpayer’s family status. Income tax   bases are applicable.
           The determination of the tax base is generally derived   the EU-Parent-Subsidiary Directive, when formal               on wages is withheld and directly paid to the tax office   No social security contributions are due for income that
           from the result of the income statement under commercial   requirements are met.                                       by the employer.                                    does not exceed EUR 500.91 per month.
           law, which is then amended insofar as the tax law   Starting with 2023, there will be an allowance for certain
           contains deviating rules (e.g., tax exemptions, restrictions   investments of 10% of the acquisition costs and a bonus for
           of deductions, or tax specific valuation rules).    ecological investments of 5% (with an absolute cap of EUR
           There is a yearly minimum CIT amounting to EUR 3,500 for   1 million per company per year).
           public companies (AG) and EUR 1,750 for limited liability
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Average wage
            Transfer pricing in Austria                        VAT and other indirect taxes                                        Wage related taxes in Austria                       Minimum wage*              in private sector
            Arm's length principle   ü     Since 1988          The harmonized EU-VAT-system applies. The general rate                                                                  in EUR                     in EUR
                                           Since 1988 /        for the sale of goods and services is 20%. Reduced rates
            Documentation liability  ü   extended in 2016      of 10% or 13% apply, for example, for agricultural products,                                                             2,120                    4,497**
            APA                  ü          Since 2011          VAT options in                                                     Total wage cost                                      2,747     129.57%          5,827     129.57%
                                         Every business unit    Austria                Applicable / limits                               Employer's social security and other contributions***  627  29.57%        1,330      29.57%
            Country-by-Country         of a CbC-relevant group
            liability            ü    must submit a notification   Distance selling       As of 1 July 2021, the                   Gross salary****                                     2,120     100.00%          4,497     100.00%
                                      about the reporting entity.                        OSS system is applicable.                                                Personal income tax     89        4.19%           808        14.12%
            Master file-local                                   Call-off stock                 ü                                                              Employees' contributions    318      14.98%           635       17.98%
            file (OECD BEPS 13)   ü            –
            applicable                                          VAT group registration         ü                                   Net salary                                            1,714     80.83%          3,054      67.91%
            Penalty                                             Cash accounting - yearly                                          * Example – employee in the retail business in Austria, 1st professional year.
                                                                amount in EUR (approx.)*  EUR 700,000/year                        ** Average monthly salary of full time employed persons in Austria in 2020 (yearly remuneration divided by 12 months).
              lack of documentation   ü  up to EUR 50,000
                                                                Import VAT deferment           ü                                  *** In addition to social security, the mandatory contributions to the family equalization fund, surcharge, severance payment and municipal taxes are included here.
                                                                                                                                  **** Monthly gross salary (yearly remuneration divided by 12 months).
                                       potential fines according                      Gas, electricity, heating, emission
                     tax shortage  ü
                                         to Tax Criminal Law
                                                                                     quotas, cell phones, game consoles,
                                                                Local reverse charge  construction services, scrap, auction
                                                                                     (foreclosure) of immovable property.
                                       Persons who are linked
                                        directly or indirectly   Option for taxation
            Related parties    > 50%   by ownership (capital)
                                          or control (same          letting of real estate     ü
                                     management, same owners).  supply of used real estate     ü                                                 Florian Würth
            Safe harbours       No              –               VAT registration          EUR 35,000/year                                        Partner – Tax Advisor – CPA
                                                                                                                                                 Phone: +43 1 531 74-780
            Level of attention paid by Tax                      threshold**                                                                      E-mail: florian.wuerth@mazars.at
            Authority                        8/10              * Not applicable for corporate enterprises.
                                                               ** VAT exemption for domestic small business.
           8     Mazars                                                      Central and Eastern European tax guide 2023          Central and Eastern European tax guide 2023                                             Mazars    9
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