"Currently, work is being done on the legally compliant implementation of the counter-financing for the VAT reduction, which also ensures the targeted amount," said a spokeswoman for Finance Minister Marterbauer on Monday in response to an APA inquiry. The planned levy on PET bottles, which is to follow one year after the introduction of the plastic deposit, is facing criticism from the beverage industry. According to "Kronen Zeitung", manufacturers are threatening higher prices in supermarkets, for example for mineral water. The introduction of the plastic tax was decided at the recent government retreat.

Taxes on Packages from Third Countries are an EU Matter

The government originally wanted to introduce the new parcel tax only for deliveries from third countries - and thus also make purchases from Temu and Shein more expensive, to somewhat protect the domestic retail trade. However, according to "Standard", this planned parcel tax is "apparently not feasible" for EU legal reasons. According to the newspaper report, tax experts and lawyers see no possibility for Austria to introduce a tax on packages from third countries on its own. "A national parcel tax is not possible," says Vienna tax consultant Gottfried Schellmann. The reason: It would be a "customs-like tax". However, customs policy is solely in the hands of EU institutions.

Moreover, from July, the EU will initially impose a 3-euro levy on packages (with a value under 150 euros) from third countries, which is to be collected by foreign online retailers. And to prevent fragmented solutions by individual EU countries, an additional EU-wide levy will come into effect from November - the amount has not yet been defined, but 2 euros per package is being discussed, the newspaper further reports. However, the revenues would have to be shared between the EU Commission and the national states, "very little money would probably be left for the Austrian government," according to "Der Standard".

Entire Mail Order Trade Could Become More Expensive

According to the newspaper report, the Ministry of Finance is therefore considering a parcel tax on the entire commercial mail order trade - regardless of whether the packages come from the EU, Austria, or a third country. Private parcel shipments would be exempt. "The Ministry of Finance does not comment on an unfinished negotiation status," it said in response to an APA inquiry. Currently, the only thing that is certain is that the VAT on milk, eggs, yogurt, vegetables, and certain types of fruit will come into effect from July. The counter-financing is still pending.

(APA/Red)

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