Austria is modernising its fiscal cash register regime from 2026, raising the small‑seller exemption threshold to €45,000, making the 15‑product‑group recording rule permanent, and allowing optional digital receipts from 1 October 2026. Paper receipts remain available on request, while core security features such as secure recording, digital signatures and QR‑coded receipts stay unchanged.
From 1 January 2026 the threshold rises to €45,000 in annual turnover.
From 1 October 2026, optional digital receipts with no transaction value limit are allowed.
The 15‑product‑group recording rule becomes permanent.
Yes, paper receipts remain available upon request.
Transactions must still be securely recorded, digitally signed at the point of sale and verifiable via QR‑coded receipts.
Get VAT and indirect tax news delivered to your inbox twice a week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wolters Kluwer · 1 day ago
Austria will exempt menstrual hygiene products and certain contraceptives from VAT from 1 January 2026, replacing a 10 % reduced rate. The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) is empowered to ensure the tax savings are passed on to consumers and can launch sector investigations if prices do not reflect the relief. This marks a novel use of competition law to safeguard the effectiveness of a gender‑focused social policy.
Bloomberg Tax · 7 days ago
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance clarified the input VAT deduction rules for commercial vehicle leasing in a Federal Finance Court decision. The ruling states that input VAT can only be deducted when the rental activity is a clear, objectively verifiable commercial operation, not merely asset management, and that leasing to related companies alone does not qualify. The decision applies to intra‑community vehicle purchases and impacts companies claiming VAT on passenger cars used for group leasing.
Bloomberg Tax · 26 days ago
Austria’s Official Gazette issued Ordinance No. 19 on 28 January 2026, revising the list of gold coins exempt from VAT. The new rule removes VAT exemption for coins with purity below 90 %. The ordinance updates the legal framework for collectors and dealers of gold coins.
Global VAT Compliance · 29 days ago
Austria has lowered its reduced VAT rate from 10% to 5% for a defined basket of goods, effective 1 July 2026. The change applies only to specified goods and does not affect the standard rate.
ESM Magazine · about 1 month ago
Austria will permanently cut the VAT on basic food items from 10% to 5% effective mid‑2026, a 50% reduction that the Austrian National Bank estimates will lower inflation by 0.5 percentage points one‑off. The move, welcomed by the Austrian Retail Association, is intended to provide lasting relief to consumers and is expected to be passed on by retailers where possible.
Just Food · about 1 month ago
Austria will reduce the VAT on certain food items from 10% to 5% mid‑2026, a measure financed by a new tax on non‑recyclable plastics. The specific foodstuffs eligible for the discount are yet to be defined, and the competition authority will enforce the reduction and ensure retailers pass the benefit to consumers.