The principal taxes in Austria are personal income tax, corporation tax (corporate income tax), VAT and social security contributions. Further taxes may be levied locally or relate to property or tobacco.
Personal Income Tax
The extent to which a person’s income is taxed in Austria depends on their personal status. Austrian residents are subject to unlimited tax liability, meaning that income earned both in Austria and abroad is taxed, although certain taxes may apply irrespective of residence status. Taxation is progressive, so the rate depends on the level of income, according to the following scale:
- annual income up to €11,000 is taxed at 0%,
- annual income from €11,000 to €18,000 is taxed at 25%,
- annual income from €18,000 to €31,000 is taxed at 35%,
- annual income from €31,000 to €60,000 is taxed at 42%,
- annual income from €60,000 to €90,000 is taxed at 48%,
- annual income from €90,000 to €1,000,000 is taxed at 50%,
- annual income above €1,000,000 is taxed at 55%.
Corporation Tax
For a company resident in Austria, the tax base is the income it earns both in Austria and abroad. With corporate taxation, a distinction is drawn between taxation at company level, where the rate is 25%, and taxation at shareholder level, where the rate is 25% for corporations and 27.5% for other shareholders.
Value Added Tax
The VAT rate for Austrian customers is 20%, although reduced rates apply to some goods: 13% for domestic flights, tickets to sporting and cultural events, and wine, and 10% for pharmaceutical products, printed books and other goods. A 0% rate applies to domestic and international transport, with the exception of road and rail transport.