Austrian VAT returns
Any company registered with the Austrian tax authorities (see our Austrian VAT registration briefing) as a non-resident VAT trader must report taxable transactions through periodic filings, known as returns.
How often are Austrian VAT returns required?
In Austria, businesses with an annual turnover exceeding EUR100,000 should file monthly returns. Businesses with an annual turnover of between EUR30,000 and EUR100,000 are required to submit quarterly VAT returns. An annual VAT return is also required. Those businesses with an annual turnover of less than EUR30,000 fall under an exemption scheme, whereby they are exempt from charging VAT and making periodic VAT returns.
Note that all returns should be filed electronically over the internet.
What Austrian VAT can be deducted?
In addition to declaring sales or output VAT in the Austrian return, companies can offset this by the corresponding input or purchase VAT. There are some exceptions, including:
- entertainment
- purchase and lease of cars, motorcycles and other vehicles
- goods and services that are used less than 10% for business purposes
What are the deadlines for filing Austrian VAT returns?
Any Austrian monthly or quarterly VAT filing is due on the 15th of the second month following the period end. The annual Austrian VAT filing, summarizing all transactions through the year, is due by 30th June of the following year.
Any Austrian VAT due must be paid at the same time.
Austrian VAT penalties
If there are misdeclarations or late fillings of Austrian VAT returns, foreign companies may be subject to penalties. Late filings are subject to a charge of 10% of the VAT due. If the payment is delayed, there is a further charge of 2% of the VAT due. There is a five year statute of limitations for Austrian VAT, except for fraud, in which case it is extended to ten years.
How are Austrian VAT credits recovered?
If there is a surplus of VAT inputs over outputs (more VAT incurred than charged), then an Austrian VAT credit arises. In theory, this is due back to the VAT registered business. The deadline for making a claim is 30th September (30th June for non-EU businesses) of the following year to which the claim relates. Supporting documentation is not usually required but under certain circumstances the Austrian tax authorities may request additional information such as original invoices.
Decisions on refunds may take up to four months but once the refund has been granted payment will be made within 10 working days.
Other resources
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