In view of the budget decision of the Austrian National Council, the Austrian Trade Union Confederation (ÖGB) will renew its demand for a fairer design of the budget consolidation, especially if the need for consolidation should increase in the next few years. Especially large assets and companies with high profits should then be used more to finance public tasks.
“In principle, it is to be welcomed that the current savings plans now contribute more to the budget renovation in the current savings plans.
Benefits corporations without taking responsibility
Many companies have benefited from massive grants and tax advantages in recent years – but are currently hardly making a contribution to the consolidation of state finances. The ÖGB therefore clearly advocates an increase in corporation tax. “Around EUR 1.5 billion avoids the state annually because the corporation tax was reduced from 25 percent to 23 percent. Expenses, on the other hand, as with the pensions – as always required – there is no solution. It cannot be that the main burden is among the employees and private households,” said Pfister. These are already particularly affected by measures such as the deletion of the climate monus and planned cuts in guest houses and family services.
More investments in the future and location necessary
Pfister emphasizes that it is positive that the budget also provides funds for areas such as education and labor market for the second mandatory kindergarten year, equality or economic future investments. “But in view of the current economic situation, more is needed: targeted impulses to revitalize the economy and investments that ensure the location and employment in the long term,” emphasizes Pfister.
Strong shoulders are supposed to wear more
In order for this to succeed, additional income is needed. These could – and would have to – especially be generated – especially in large fortune and corporate gains. “We have an enormous wealth in the upper percentage in Austria – we have to use this scope to enable investments in the transformation of industry and in sustainable growth,” said Pfister.
Asset -related taxes as a fair contribution
In a new survey on satisfaction with the double budget 2025/2026, more than two thirds of the population state that rich must be made more responsible for consolidation.
It is incomprehensible that certain political forces continue to argue against any form of fair taxation of high assets. “It is not about punishing performance, but about people with great assets adequately participate in the financing of our community,” said Pfister. Models such as asset or inheritance taxes have been tested internationally and could also be designed socially balanced in Austria. “A modern tax system needs fairness – and that also means: if you have more, you should contribute more,” concludes Pfister.