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Taxation
Tax Revenue from the Tyrolean Industry is Picking up Strongly
IV (Industrialists Association) President Schretter said: "The manufacturing industry contributes hugely to prosperity; no new burdens for our companies, the costs of green electricity are an enormous burden"
March 15, 2011
Leitl Favors EU Financial Transaction Tax
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber says: "The EU Parliamen has taken an important step towards EU financial transaction tax"
March 10, 2011
Gastronomy Rejects New Beverage Tax
Austria's restaurateurs and brewers fear an "attack on tourism and restaurant culture."
March 9, 2011
Sales Declining at Spar Hungary
The food trade chain records declining sales in Hungary - for the first time in its history.
March 4, 2011
FPÖ Intends to Establish Itself as an Economic Party
In an interview with the "Wirtschaftsblatt", FPÖ chairman Heinz-Christian Strache says that the party wishes to address entrepreneurs more strongly in future.
March 3, 2011
Leitl Fears Falling Back behind Asia
During a state visit to Singapore the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) again urges the Austrian government to undertake reforms.
February 24, 2011
Bank Tax is "untimely" for ÖVAG
The Austrian Volksbank Group's CEO, Gerald Wenzel, expects expenditure of € 40m due to the bank tax.
February 8, 2011
Austria's Credit Industry Appeals to the Constitutional Court
The price gains tax introduced as of January 1, 2011 encounters legal resistance. The Banking Division of the Chamber of Commerce announced a complaint of unconstitutionality.
February 2, 2011
Hypo Upper Austria Reports stable Profits
According to the management, the regional bank could exceed its own expectations. Annual profit was € 27m.
February 1, 2011
Austria's Budget Deficit is at 4.1%
Although the budget deficit is lower than expected, but the official national debt could increase considerably due to the ÖBB.
February 1, 2011
Austria's Growth Remains Dependent on Exports
The Austrian GDP will grow in real terms, according to WIFO, at an annual average of 2.2% per year between 2011-2015. The unemployment rate is expected to stagnate.
January 25, 2011
Austria's AAA Credit Rating Confirmed
The U.S. rating agency Moody's confirms the Republic of Austria’s Triple-A rating. The outlook remains "stable".
January 21, 2011
Viennese Economic Chamber Demands Tax Relief for SMEs
The President of the Viennese Economic Chamber, Brigitte Jank, presents a three-stage relief model for small and medium-sized enterprises.
January 20, 2011
Tax Treaty between Austria and Germany
Austria and Germany sign a revision protocol on double taxation agreements to implement the OECD standards of transparency and effective exchange of information.
January 19, 2011
Demand to Unburden Business Founders
The Austrian Economic Chamber demands the creation of tax and corporate law unburdening for company founders.
January 19, 2011
Reform Backlog Prevents Austria Being a Success Model
The chairman of the WIFO, Karl Aiginger considers that Austria’s future capital has been gambled away because of lack of reforms. The EU, however, is "not on track" either.
January 19, 2011
Hungary: Calls for Boycotts against Foreign Companies in Hungary
A Hungarian initiative demands that 13 foreign companies be boycotted, including Austrian OMV
January 18, 2011
Federation of Trade Unions Calls for "Tax Justice"
A new debate is sparking off in Austria, and possibly also a tax reform. The Gewerkschaftsbund (ÖGB, Federation of Trade Unions) wants workers to be tax-unburdened.
January 18, 2011
Bank Taxes: „Job Cuts or Price Increase”
According to Michael Ikrath, bank representative of the “Sparkassen”, the new charges for Austrian banks are the highest in Europe.
January 17, 2011
Treichl: Massive Criticism on Austrian Government
Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group criticizes the Austrian Government for its fiscal and structural policy. 2011 would be the last chance for reforms.
January 16, 2011
Austria's Competitiveness Increases Slightly
Austria rose one place, to the 21st, in the ranking of the most liberal economies.
January 14, 2011
Austrian Tobacco Industry Fears Cigarette Smuggling
According to the presently Japanese Austria Tabak, 20% of cigarettes are already smuggled. The tobacco tax is expected to increase this trend even more.
January 10, 2011
Demands for Financial Transactions Tax
The Chairman of the Austrian Provincial Governors’ Conference, Josef Pühringer, demands the introduction of a pan-European financial transactions tax.
January 7, 2011
Bank Tax in Poland?
The Polish government is considering levying taxes on banks already in 2011. From the Austrian perspective, Raiffeisen Bank International would be affected.
January 5, 2011
Black Economy is still Difficult to Control in Austria
About 14% of the economic product evades the Treasury in the Austrian economy, but experts say the trend is declining again.
January 5, 2011
Special Tax: Hungary Under Fire
Especially the Austrian economy criticizes the Hungarian special tax on large companies. The EU Commission has already started an investigation.
January 4, 2011
13 CEOs Call For Sanctions Against Hungary
Because of the new taxes introduced by the Hungarian government, a group of prominent European CEOs call for EU-sanctions.
January 2, 2011
WIFO Director: "Crisis was not Taken Advantage of to Introduce Reforms"
In an interview with the newspaper "Kurier", the head of the WIFO criticizes the lack of commitment to reforms. His perspectives for Austria are nevertheless optimistic.
December 30, 2010
Analysts Expect ATX to Underperform in January
The main index of the Vienna Stock Exchange experienced a strong rally in December. Thus, ATX outperformed compared to other European indices.
December 30, 2010
Leitl Demands Reforms
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber calls for more Government work in administration, health and education.
December 29, 2010
Bank Austria CEO Cernko: Austrian Banks Fight Securities Tax
The CEO of Bank Austria, Willibald Cernko, was interviewed by the newspaper “Kurier”. He announced that Austrian Banks will call the Constitutional Court.
December 29, 2010
Illegal Employment Grows
One of four Austrian firms employs illegal workers from abroad.
December 29, 2010
ATX Forecast 2011: High Yields, High Volatility
RLB Niederösterreich-Wien predicts a very good year for security investments and expects double-digit yields.
December 29, 2010
Chamber of Labor Calls for a More Equitable Distribution
Corporate profits on one hand and reduced working hours, dismissals and wage cuts on the other, are not compatible for the Chamber of Labor.
December 28, 2010
Generali Money Study: What Austrians Will Spend their Money on in 2011
More money will be spent on vacations, housing and sports. Propensity to consume is higher in men.
December 27, 2010
Higher Bank Tax for Bank Austria
The UniCredit-subsidiary Bank Austria will have to pay a bigger amount of the bank tax in 2011. The contribution in the following year decreases.
December 27, 2010
Austria's Tax Revenues are Higher than Expected
As the economy developed relatively well this year relatively, tax revenues increased. The deficit for 2010 might therefore turn out to be lower than planned.
December 17, 2010
Bank Austria´s Economic Analysis: 2% Growth in 2011
The analysis of the Austrian economy forecasts a strong recovery. Improvements in the labour market will continue, but the positive trend weakens.
December 16, 2010
More Employees in Austria, Purchasing Power and Taxes Remain High.
Austria records an employment increase of 1.2%. Purchasing power and taxes are above the international average.
December 15, 2010
Complaint of Unconstitutionality against Securities Capital Gains Tax
Austria banks and investment companies file a complaint before the Constitutional Court against the as of next year introduced tax on securities capital gains.
December 14, 2010
Vienna Stock Exchange: Tax on Securities Gains Damages Austrian Economy
Massive disadvantages for Austrian companies because of financing made more difficult are feared by the members of the of the Vienna Stock Exchange board, Michael Buhl and Heinrich Schaller.
December 13, 2010
Increase of Austrians’ Purchasing Power
Despite higher taxes and lower benefits, the purchasing power of the Austrian people will grow in 2011 by an estimated 2.6%.
December 7, 2010
Triple-A Rating: Treichl vs. Nowotny
The Chairman of the Erste Group is not convinced anymore by Austria's financial policy; the Governor of the National Bank however, still stands on "AAA".
December 3, 2010
The Budget is Finally Set
After weeks of discussions about the 2011Austrian Federal Budget, the final details were announced today. There are very few amendments to the original project.
November 30, 2010
Industrialists: Destruction of Business Location Averted
The Industriellenvereinigung (IV, Industrialists Association) is relieved about issues concerning location policy, and at the same time calls for structural reforms.
November 30, 2010
WIFO: Budget Consolidation in the EU is Not Sustainable
WIFO criticizes the consolidation programs of the individual EU countries for being easily enforceable, but containing hardly any sustainable measures.
November 29, 2010
Government Adapts Capital Gains Tax on Securities
Taxation will be implemented from October 1; loss compensation is allowed. There are no essential changes however.
November 29, 2010
Leitl Vehemently Asks the Government for Structural Reforms
The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WK), Christoph Leitl, call on the government for location and future investments.
November 25, 2010
Economic Chamber President Leitl Demands Financial Transaction Tax
There is consensus between the Presidents of the Economic Chamber and the Federation of Trade Unions.
November 23, 2010
IHS: Capital Gains Tax on Securities is Absurd
The introduction of the capital gains tax on securities would encourage speculation rather than contain it, says IHS (Institute for Advanced Studies) Director Felderer. Private investors are the victims
November 22, 2010