In the coalition negotiations with the ÖVP, according to media reports and, according to negotiators, the FPÖ demanded the abolition of the tax deductibility of the church contribution and “redimation” of the tax deductibility of donations. Annemarie Schlack, CEO of the alliance for non-profit organization and managing director of SOS-Kinderdorf sees in this advance “A frontal attack on the churches and religious communities and the attempt to weaken the independent financing base of clubs and other non -profit organizations. Non -profit organizations and volunteer organizations do indispensable work for all people in Austria in many areas
“. This applies, for example, especially to the areas of social affairs, rescue, care, handicapped care, homeless work, nature conservation, customs, sports, culture, youth work, human rights protection and humanitarian aid, according to Schlack.
Collegiate package with the support of ÖVP and FPÖ recently decided
It was not until 2024 that under the leadership of the ÖVP-led Finance Ministry was decided in parliament for a long time negotiated with the clubs and aid organizations. The FPÖ also expressly welcomed the volunteer flat rate and the expansion of donation deductibility in parliament. Accordingly, Peter Kaiser, Deputy CEO, is surprised by the Alliance of the Alliance for Typment and Deputy General Secretary of the Austrian Red Cross: “I cannot imagine that now, according to the ÖVP, such essential areas such as education, art, culture or sport have also been favored for tax purposes. Such a measure would be the first donor. You would have to pay taxes for your voluntary contribution to the common good. As a result, donation volume for the donation organizations would probably decrease.
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Negative effects on volunteering and social cohesion
This would of course have an impact on the performance of the organizations and would mean less support and help for many people and important concerns.
A weakening of the aid organizations also means weakening the volunteer. However, it would also mean that the public sector, and above all the federal states (for example in the field of poverty control, homeless work, emergency services, etc.) have to raise more funds from their budgets. And that in times of upcoming savings budgets.
All of this is not in the interests of the public sector and the population is convinced of Stefan Wallner, managing director of the Alliance for Typment. “”The right to free religious practice is firmly anchored in our constitution, and the churches and religious communities also make an invaluable contribution to living together, education, youth work. They form social networks, support in integration and provide humanitarian aid and Eza in the countries of the global south. A volume of the remotability of the church contribution would be a massive attack on your financial possibilities. In addition, people who make a contribution to these socially essential tasks would be punished by fully taxing their contribution.
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Stefan Wallner also points out the numerous volunteers who would be affected: “These suggestions are not in the sense of almost three quarters of the Austrians: inside, the donations. They are not in the sense of the 3.7 million volunteers. These donate their time and money every day in the sense of society, use their commitment and passion. The millions of volunteers in the diverse associations and organizations need tailwind and support, especially in the times of cumulative crises, global uncertainties and consequences of inflation.
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