Retroactive VAT registration is indeed possible, but not in all countries. Moreover, retroactive VAT registration is often necessary for e-commerce businesses, particularly those that have exceeded the WSTO threshold or […]
Read in: 5 minVAT Austria 2024
- Last update: 04.01.2024
- Published: 19.10.2020
- Read in: 5 min
Value-added tax (PTU) is a value-added tax, which is a tax on the increase in the value of goods as a result of the production process or creation of services. VAT is an indirect tax, collected at each successive stage of trade in goods or services. VAT applies to both sellers and buyers of goods and services, as its value is added to the net value of the transaction.
The standard VAT rate in Austria is 20% and covers all products and services not covered by the reduced rates of 13% and 10% and the zero rate. In connection with COVID-19, the Austrian government reduced the VAT rate to 5% for certain goods and services.
VAT in Austria
The VAT in Austria, called UST MwSt, was introduced in 1973. The basic VAT rate in Austria is 20 percent and covers all products and services that are not covered by the reduced rates of 13 percent and 10 percent and the zero rate. In connection with COVID-19, the Austrian government reduced the VAT rate to 5 percent for certain goods and services, which is to apply until December 31, 2020. What goods and services are currently subject to 5% VAT in Austria? These include food and beverage orders, cinema and theater tickets, books, newspapers, works of art, tickets to nature parks, zoos and circus shows, as well as accommodation services, including renting out rooms to visitors in their own homes.
VAT rates Austria | Indicated goods or services |
20% | All goods or services other than those indicated below |
13% | Admission to sports events, Admission to cultural events, Admission to amusement parks, Some agricultural products, Firewood, Wine production (farm), Flowers and plants cut for decorative purposes, Domestic flights |
10% | Food products, Take away food, Water supplies, Pharmaceutical products, Domestic transport (excluding flights) m, International and intra-Community road and rail transport, Writers’ work, Composers’ work, Books, E-books, Newspapers and magazines, Cable TV, TV licence, Social services, Restaurants (excluding certain beverages), Cut flowers and plants for food production, Certain agricultural products, Domestic refuse collection, Sewage treatment |
0% (zero) | Hotel accommodation, intra-community and international transport (excluding road and rail transport) |
VAT identification number in Austria
The VAT number in Austria consists of nine characters preceded by an ATU prefix. Both monthly and quarterly accounts of Austrian VAT are payable by the 15th day of the second month after the end of the accounting period. The deadline for submitting the annual VAT return in Austria is June 30 of the following year.
- Austrian VAT invoice requirements
- VAT invoices in Austria must contain at least the following basic information:
- Date of issue
- Unique number
- Supplier’s VAT number
- Customer’s VAT number (if the delivery exceeds EUR 10 000)
- Full name and address of supplier and customer
- Full description of goods or services provided
- Details of the number of goods, if applicable
- Delivery date, if different from the invoice date
- The net value of the supply subject to taxation
- Applied VAT rate and VAT amount (VAT amount must be given in EUR)
- Details supporting zero VAT – export, reverse charge or intra-Community supplies
- Details of margin schemes used, e.g. works of art, collector’s items and antiques
- Total gross invoice value
When should I register for VAT in Austria?
In the case of foreign companies with business operations in Austria that are VAT registered in their home country, the VAT registration threshold is zero. An entrepreneur whose business exceeds an annual turnover of EUR 100,000 must submit monthly accounts, while companies whose annual turnover exceeds EUR 30,000 but is less than EUR 100,000 must submit quarterly VAT returns. VAT returns must be submitted by the 15th day of the second month. In addition, an entrepreneur should register VAT in Austria if their company:
- Imports goods into Austria from outside the European Union.
- Runs intra-Community sales (shipments) or purchases (acquisitions) of goods from another EU country
- Purchases and sells goods in Austria
- Stores goods in Austria on a consignment basis. Stock arrangements are released
- Sells goods through e-commerce to consumers, subject to Austrian VAT registration thresholds
- Organizes live conferences or exhibitions with payment at the door.
- Is not a trader other than VAT but uses services in Austria on a reverse charge basis
- Runs their own delivery of goods
Austria – Penalties and interest VAT
Providing incorrect data or delay in the VAT return may be subject to a penalty of 10% of the VAT due. If the entrepreneur is late with a payment, a fee of 2% of the obligation is charged.
Limit on mail-order sales in Austria
The mail-order sales limit for customers outside Austria is EUR 35,000.
On the 1st of July 2021, with the introduction of the VAT-OSS procedure, distance sales thresholds to EU countries were modified. Must read what is VAT-OSS? Changes to VAT settlements in the EU for online retailers.
Intrastat in Austria
In addition to the VAT return, foreign companies operating in the Czech Republic may be required to report on Intrastat statistics. It contains information about the import or export of goods between countries belonging to the European Community as well as the movement of own goods to a warehouse located in another Member State. The threshold for Intrastat imports is EUR 750,000 per year, as well as the threshold for Intrastat exports, which is EUR 750,000, too. The monthly Intrastat report should be submitted by the 10th day of the month following the reporting period.
Revenue office
Foreign companies are registered with the Tax Office in Gratz Address: Conrad-von-Hötzendorf-Straße 14-18, 8010 Graz, Austria The internet address of the office is: https://www.bmf.gv.at/ You can contact the office at the following telephone number: +43 (0)1 51433-0 Do you want to register for VAT in Austria? >> Contact us
See also: when does a Polish company need to acquire a German tax identification number?