ORF contribution: obligatory contribution for companies from 2024

With effect from 1 January 2024, the financing of the ORF was newly regulated. The ORF Contribution Act (ORF Beitrags-Gesetz) has replaced the Gebühren Info Service GmbH (GIS) fee that was payable until 31 December 2023 with the newly created ORF contribution. In this article we will take a closer look at the most important […]

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New decision by the Austrian Federal Tax Court (BFG) regarding tax increases in case of voluntary self-disclosures pursuant to section 29 para. 6 Austrian Tax Criminal Code (FinStrG)

In a recent decision, the BFG dealt with the question of whether a tax increase is only to be assessed if an announced tax audit was actually the reason for submitting a voluntary self-disclosure (BFG 1 December 2023, RV/2100533/2023). Regarding this matter, the BFG interprets section 29 para. 6 FinStrG strictly. An ordinary review to […]

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First DAC7 report is due – what needs to be done at the turn of the year?

The deadline for the first DAC7 report (report according to DPMG (Austrian Digital Reporting Requirement Act)) is 31 January 2024. Just before the holiday season starts, we would like to inform you once again about upcoming deadlines and the most important to-dos that still need to be done. Deadlines and immediate need for action The […]

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Austria counters Russia’s suspension of the double taxation agreement by suspending the agreement as well

After Russia unilaterally suspended the application of major parts of the provisions of the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Austria in August 2023, Austria has now suspended parts of the DTA as well. This has further implications for Austrian taxpayers. Background By decree dated 8 August 2023, Russia suspended the application of provisions from more […]

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CJEU: VAT on ORF’s programme fee is in line with EU VAT law

In its decision of 26 October 2023, case C-249/22, Gebühren Info Service GmbH (GIS), the CJEU confirmed that the VAT on the programme fee is in line with the provisions of the EU VAT Directive. Underlying case According to GIS, the programme fee of ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) is subject to VAT. The matter in […]

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Guideline on processing late applications by COFAG under the law on state aid adopted – further payment of COVID-19 subsidies possible

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the BMF (Austrian Ministry of Finance) has paid out several aids in the form of COVID-19 subsidies pursuant to EU state aid law via the COVID-19 Finanzierungsagentur des Bundes GmbH (COFAG). In national implementation the granted application periods deviated from EU regulations resulting in initial applications submitted after 30 June 2022 […]

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Energy cost subsidy II – Guideline and FAQ

The draft of the guideline and the FAQ on the energy cost subsidy II were published in the version dated 8 November 2023 on the homepage of Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft m.b.H. (aws). The guideline applies subject to national agreement and approval by the European Commission under subsidies law, which is still pending. In the following […]

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Austrian Constitutional Court (VfGH): transferring responsibilities to COFAG is unconstitutional

In its decision G 265/2022-45 of 5 October 2023, the VfGH overturned several regulations regarding COFAG in the Austrian ABBAG Act as unconstitutional. In the course of its decision, the VfGH has decided that the requirements to transfer responsibilities of the state’s private-sector administration to the private legal entity COFAG were only met in part […]

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Energy cost subsidy II – advance registration and basis information

Already at the end of the year 2022, first details of the energy cost subsidy II were announced (please refer to our newsletter dated 3 January 2023). The relevant guideline itself has not yet been published and is currently subject to review by the European Commission (notification procedure). The approval is expected soon. According to […]

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Austrian Ministry of Finance (BMF) publishes a consultation draft for a Minimum Tax Act (MinBestG)

On 3 October 2023 the BMF has published a consultation draft for an act to ensure a Global Minimum Tax (Pillar II). The consultation period ends on 20 October 2023. The new regulations will enter into force as of 1 January 2024. The Minimum Tax Act transposes into domestic law the complex framework of the […]

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