Warning before abolishing donation deductibility

With great concern, the Austrian network of civil society (ÖNZ), to which over 30 organizations belong, warns of a planned deletion or restriction of donation deductibility by a possible next federal government from FPÖ and ÖVP. This would take each donor the opportunity to deduct the donation and thus lead to an additional financial burden on households. Falling donations would lead to further cuts in vital services of clubs. Voluntary work, which can be decisive in the event of a crisis, would be significantly more difficult. According to an analysis by the Austrian Civil Society network, the plans of FPÖ and ÖVP would endanger socially central services such as help for people in need, the protection and care of children and the protection of nature and animals.

Donation deductibility has been shown to have a positive impact on the willingness to donate and the amount of donations in Austria. Since the introduction of the deductibility in 2009, the number of donors and the amount of donations has increased significantly. Especially in economically difficult times (e.g. inflation or crises), tax deductibility helps to keep the donation stable.

Around 800 million euros will be donated in Austria every year. About 63 % of the Austrian population state that they donate regularly or occasionally for non -profit purposes. According to statistics Austria, around 3.73 million people aged 15 and over regularly in Austria voluntarily and unpaid. This corresponds to about 49.4 % of the population, i.e. around half, in this age group. A total of around 470 million hours of voluntary work is done annually through this voluntary commitment. The added value is 12 billion euros.

“Austria is rightly proud of his over 130.00 clubs in which around 4 million people volunteer. Burglaries in the donations would be a slap in the face of all these people and those who urgently need this support. We do not appeal to FPÖ and ÖVP not to feel the donation, ”demands Ursula Bittner, spokeswoman for the ÖNZ.

“The donations make it possible for the organizations to step in wherever the Austrian state provides too little funds. For example in disaster relief at home and abroad, immediate help for people affected by poverty, help with climate disaster and much more. It is therefore not understandable that this commitment should be limited, “said Bittner.

https://www.sozialministerium.at/NPO-Satellitenkonto
https://www.oenz.at