Update to the energy costs subsidy for companies
In late September 2022, initial details of the energy costs subsidy were published (see newsletter of 29 September 2022). The relevant guidelines themselves have not yet been published and are currently subject to review by the European Commission (notification procedure). Approval is expected in the coming days. According to the recent press release of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy, and according to the information issued by Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft m.b.H. (aws), advance registration for the energy costs subsidy will be possible from 7 November 2022. The following details have been released (last updated 7 November 2022):
Advance registration
Advance registration for the energy costs subsidy will be possible from 7 November 2022 to 28 November 2022 via the aws Fördermanager tool. Advance registration is required to be able to later submit a request and is also mandatory for companies that already have an account for the aws Fördermanager system. It is planned that only minimal data (e.g. general company data, authorised representatives, contact persons) will be required.
Based on the order in which advance registrations are received, each applicant will be allocated a time period within which a request for the energy costs subsidy can be submitted. The resulting order directly affects the award of subsidy funding, which is subject to a budget ceiling. It is important to note that a request may only be submitted within the allocated time period.
A flat-rate subsidy model is currently being developed. In general, companies whose additional energy costs in the period from 1 February 2022 to 30 September 2022 do not exceed EUR 6,666 – and therefore fall below the minimum subsidy amount of EUR 2,000 – can apply for the flat-rate model. As the flat-rate model is a supplementary measure, an advance registration for the energy cost subsidy via the aws Fördermanager is not necessary.
Submitting a request
After advance registration for the energy costs subsidy via aws Fördermanager, full registration in aws Fördermanager will be required (unless already completed). After full registration, a request may be submitted within the allocated time period. Submission of a request will therefore be possible from 29 November 2022 to 15 February 2023, subject to approval by the European Commission. The “first come, first served” principle applies to both the advance registration and request submission processes.
Before a request can be submitted, the following prerequisites must be established by a certified tax advisor / certified public accountant / accounting professional:
- “Energy-intensive company”: Energy and electricity procurement costs must amount to at least 3% of the production value, or the domestic energy tax to be remitted must amount to at least 0.5% of value added. Confirmation of energy-intensive status is not required for companies with annual revenues of less than EUR 700,000.
- Energy consumption: Procured and consumed units of energy in the subsidy period and comparison period, based on an intelligent measurement device (smart metre, load profile metre) or an annual invoice from the energy provider.
- Price increase: Based on prior invoices of the energy provider, as well as other documents, e.g. notifications of price increases.
- Operating loss: From level 3, the existence of an operating loss.
Further obligations
- Applicant companies will be required to observe energy-saving measures until 31 March 2023. These obligations primarily cover lighting, outdoor heating, and use of automatic doors.
- Bonus payment to board members and managing directors in the year 2022 will be limited to 50% of the amount for the 2021 financial year.
- From subsidy level 3: Mandatory energy audit or certified energy and environmental management system.
Authors: Cornelia Kalina, Alexandra Velic
