The black and blue government in Austria has decided to introduce a national digital tax. This was announced by Finance Minister Hartwig Löger (ÖVP) after a Cabinet meeting.
It could not be that the big Internet companies operate without tax fees in Austria and Austria out, so Löger. Digital taxation is seen primarily as a fair basis between the traditional economy and the new digital economy.
The government hopes for revenues of more than 200 million euros. Part of the future revenue will be used to strengthen Austrian media in digital development. At least 15 million euros per year is currently being discussed.
Google, Facebook, Airbnb
The legislative package covers three areas: Online advertising revenues will in future be taxed at five percent. This corresponds to the taxation of advertising revenues from print media. This applies to companies with an annual turnover of more than 750 million euros, which achieve more than 25 million euros in Austria, including Google and Facebook.
Also online platforms such as the accommodation broker Airbnb are taxed. The company and similar providers should be liable from 2020 for untaxed sales of landlords.
In addition, online trade will be taxed from next year, more specifically import taxation from third countries, which has so far not been levied on goods worth up to € 22. There is a „great potential,“ Löger said.
„It must not be that deliveries from China / Alibaba with partially manipulated declaration tax-free in this area can be introduced,“ said Löger.
In the EU failed
With a tax rate of five percent, Austria sets a higher rate than was last discussed at EU level. There, the introduction of a digital tax for online giants in March had failed. Germany and France had until recently tried to enforce the controversial digital tax in Europe.
They opted for a sales tax of three percent on online advertising revenues, which should apply from January 2021 onwards. Austria had already insisted on an introduction during its EU Presidency in the second half of 2018. France and some other states have now also launched national policies.
