"Coronavirus-decree" published

Tax measures

Due to the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) status, the Austrian Ministry of Finance has issued a decree that is intended to cushion the impact on liquidity of enterprises due to the current situation. The subject matter of the decree is a number of tax measures, such as

• a reduction in (corporate) income tax prepayments,
• deferral of tax payment or payment in instalments and
• non-imposition of late payment interest and late payment fines.

For the application of the measures, it is a prerequisite that the taxpayer can demonstrate that the liquidity situation is affected due to a coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection; for example, unusually high cancellations of hotel reservations, cancellation of sports and cultural events due to official prohibitions, cancellation of supply chains or loss of revenue due to changes in consumer behaviour. The tax offices have to deal with such applications immediately.

Furthermore text modules for the request of a reduction of (corporate) income tax prepayments and for payment by instalment are also available. The full decree can be downloaded here (in German only).

Social security contribution measures

Moreover the Social security institution (SVS) has announced that similar measures will be introduced due to the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) specifically:

• deferral of contributions,
• payment of contributions in instalments,
• reduction of the provisional contribution base,
• full or partial leniency for interest on arrears.

Applications for deferral and payment in instalments can be submitted informally in writing by e-mail. The reduction of the provisional contribution base can be applied for using the online form.