Change in FinanzOnline Access: What You Need to Do Now
The federal government wants to further advance digital finance. Therefore, from October 1st, an additional security factor will be necessary to access the FinanzOnline tool.
FinanzOnline from October 1st only with Two-Factor Access
Those who do not yet have ID Austria will then need the integrated two-factor authentication. Currently, 5.8 million people use FinanzOnline. A central function is the employee tax assessment, which will continue to be possible "offline," emphasized Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) on Wednesday.
The application-free employee tax assessment is becoming increasingly popular, especially among people under 25 and retirees (1.8 out of 6 million assessments). However, this "automatic tax adjustment" only occurs if no employee tax assessment has been applied for by June 30th. Even if this form is chosen, one still has five years to submit the invoices themselves.
Employee Tax Assessment Remains Central Application
Employee tax assessments are also one of the central functions of FinanzOnline, according to Marterbauer. Of around six million assessments, about 83 percent are submitted online. 36 percent of users log into the portal via ID Austria. From October 1st, this will be mandatory, alternatively, one can log in via an integrated TOTP two-factor authentication in FinanzOnline. "This will further increase the security of personal data," said Marterbauer.
State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP) assured that a smartphone is not necessary for access, but this can be granted with an additional program on a laptop. "At the same time, it remains possible to handle tax matters analogously with the appropriate tax office forms, to ensure no one is excluded," said the State Secretary.
Further Service Offers Planned
To support the population during the transition, several service appointments are planned from the fall. There are already various information sources and numerous explanatory videos, emphasized Eibinger-Miedl. Additionally, the "ID Austria Service Tour" is currently running, offering activation options.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.