Linz (OTS) – In Austria the tax system is becoming more and more in trouble. In the last year, this has even shifted further to the disadvantage of employees and consumers. They pay around 80 percent of all taxes: around 56 percent come from wage taxes, and a further 22 percent of the “tax cake” comes from consumers. The tax structure must therefore be reformed and made fairer. “The two most recent corporate tax cuts must be reversed and the millionaires’ tax finally implemented
“, demands AK President Andreas Stangl.
In 2023, asset-related taxes (mainly real estate transfer tax and property tax) only accounted for 1.1 percent of all duties and taxes. Taxes on profits and capital gains have also fallen. They accounted for 14.6 percent of all duties and taxes. The reduction in corporate income tax (KÖSt) last year alone cost the state 600 million euros in revenue. This year the KÖSt rate was reduced again by one percentage point to 23 percent. As a result of the two cuts, the state will lose 1.25 billion in tax revenue this year and for each subsequent year.
Profitable companies are the biggest winners
What is particularly noteworthy is that around three quarters of the reduction in the KÖSt is accounted for by only three percent of the companies subject to the KÖSt, namely the most profitable ones. All companies that are not organized as a GmbH or AG benefit nothing from this. The few small and medium-sized companies that operate as AGs or GmbHs receive very little due to their low profits.
The KÖSt reductions also contradict the recent agreement of more than 130 countries on a global minimum taxation of large multinational corporate groups.
AK President Stangl calls for tax reform
From the point of view of the AK Upper Austria, the tax structure must be reformed and made fairer. “The two most recent KÖSt reductions must be reversed, revenue from property-related taxes must finally be increased and the burden on employees must be relieved
“, says AK President Andreas Stangl. Not only the AK Upper Austria has been calling for this for years, international organizations are also recommending appropriate steps.
Questions & Contact:
Chamber of Labor Upper Austria – Communication
Mag. Dominik Bittendorfer
+43 (0)664-82 37 978
dominik.bittendorfer@akooe.at
ooe.arbeiterkammer.at