AK and ÖGB: Relief for lower incomes and families with a third!

2023-08-12 08:00:46

Make commuter flat rates fairer, flat rate costs the same since 1988

Vienna (OTS) – AK and ÖGB are demanding that the government use the third of the cold progression that is not automatically compensated to relieve families and lower incomes, as well as to increase the mileage allowance, a fair commuter allowance and the adjustment of allowances, some of which have been in use since 1988 (!) were no longer adjusted to inflation.

Overcompensation for the lowest two progression levels!

Inflation hits hardest among people on lower incomes. The compensation for welfare state contributions via the negative tax should therefore be increased more than just two-thirds, as should the lowest two progression levels.

child allowance

For those families who cannot make full use of the Family Bonus Plus, the AK and ÖGB are therefore calling for the child allowance to be increased from 550 to 650 euros. That would make family benefits fairer, especially with regard to women’s policy.

Fair commuter flat rate with eco bonus

The commuter allowance is to be converted from an exempt amount into a deduction. Low-income workers pay the same amount of travel expenses and are more affected by inflation. It is completely incomprehensible why higher earners get more money back from taxes here. There should also be an eco-bonus for using public transport.

Increase in mileage allowance

Many employees have to use their private vehicle for professional reasons. The official mileage allowance, which is intended to compensate for these expenses, has not been increased since 2008 and has remained unchanged at 42 cents for cars. Due to the significantly increased maintenance costs for cars and other vehicles, a valorisation is long overdue. The mileage allowance (last adjustment in 2008) is to be raised to 60 cents for cars and nuclear power plants, 35 cents for mopeds and motorcycles, 50 cents for bicycles and 10 cents for passengers inside.

Flat rate costs: In Germany it is 1,230 euros

The flat rate for expenses has never been adjusted since 1988. A valorization with CPI would result in at least 289 euros. Incidentally, the flat rate for costs in Germany is 1,230 euros. An increase would reduce the bureaucratic effort on the part of both the employees and the tax offices and could thus significantly reduce the processing time for the employee assessment.

Overtime surcharges: AK and ÖGB are demanding an increase in the exemption due to the last increase in 2009 from 86 to 118 euros as a contribution to justice. However, it is an illusion to want to remedy the shortage of skilled workers in this way. Excessive working hours and overtime will drive workers out of shortage occupations and result in people not being able to keep up their work until retirement.

The home office flat rate is to be transferred to permanent law and increased from 3 to 6 euros in order to take account of the higher living and energy costs.

The exemption limit for the sixth of the year is to be increased from 2,100 to 2,800 euros. It is incomprehensible why no ongoing income tax has to be paid for gross monthly salaries between 1,050 and 1,350 euros, but it does for the special payments. This regularly causes resentment among AK and ÖGB members in the consultation.

The assessment allowance is to be increased from EUR 730 (equivalent to ATS 10,000 since the last adjustment in 1988) to EUR 1,596. That would simplify administration for everyone involved. At present, such small turnovers fall within the scope of business assessments.

The AK and ÖGB are also calling for the following adjustments: allowance for Sundays, public holidays and night supplements from 360 to 787 euros, overnight allowances from 15 to 31 euros, daily allowances from 26.40 to 55 euros.