Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) intends to abolish the receipt issuance obligation up to 35 euros this year as part of the SME package he announced.

Hattmannsdorfer Aims to Abolish Receipt Obligation up to 35 Euros This Year

Businesses would then no longer need to print receipts for amounts up to 35 euros. No date was specified for the abolition in the government program. As already known, the government plans to increase the basic flat-rate for tradespeople and freelancers and to exempt transporters from the NoVA tax.

Basic Flat-Rate to be Increased

From 2025, the basic flat-rate, including the input tax flat-rate, is to be increased from 220,000 euros and 12 percent to 320,000 euros and 13.5 percent. From 2026, an increase to 420,000 euros and 15 percent is planned. From July 1, 2025, the standard consumption tax (NoVA) for all light commercial vehicles (N1) will be abolished. This will make company cars and transporters cheaper. "The planned SME package is a clear commitment to entrepreneurship, to the key players, and to the preservation of jobs," said the new Minister of Economic Affairs in a statement on Sunday. The goal is to "put Austria's economy back in the fast lane."

Further measures are planned for 2026 and 2027, including the simplification of business transfers, the increase of the profit allowance from 33,000 to 50,000 euros, the digitization of business start-ups, the acceleration of approval procedures, and simplifications in the business facility law.

"SMEs as the Backbone of the Austrian Economy"

Hattmannsdorfer and the ÖVP Economic Association highlighted the economic importance of SMEs in Austria. In 2023, there were around 579,500 small and medium-sized enterprises in Austria with approximately 2.5 million employees. "Our SMEs are the backbone of the Austrian economy," said Economic Association Secretary General and ÖVP Economic Spokesperson Kurt Egger in a statement. Relief measures are "long overdue." Meanwhile, the FPÖ criticized the Minister of Economic Affairs. "For real relief, financial and budgetary leeway must also be created, which we Freedom Party members clearly advocated for in the coalition negotiations," said FPÖ Economic Spokesperson Barbara Kolm. Anything else is "mere announcement politics."

(APA/Red)

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