After an exchange of blows, the National Council decided on Wednesday, with the votes of the ÖVP and the Greens, to grant an energy bonus of 150 euros per household (principal residence) to compensate for the higher energy costs. In total, 600 million euros are to be distributed to around four million households. There is an upper income limit, which is EUR 55,000 for a one-person household and EUR 110,000 for a multi-person household per calendar year.
“With the decision, additional costs that households are likely to incur in the coming months will be cushioned exactly when they are incurred in most cases – in the annual statement. From our point of view, this is a good solution that reduces the cost pressure for households,” said Barbara Schmidt, Secretary General of “Oesterreichs Energie”, the interest group for the electricity industry. From April, electricity customers and every household will receive a voucher from the federal government. The credit of 150 euros will be made directly on the next annual statement.
The opposition parties did not give a damn about the relief measures taken by the governing parties. Kai Jan Krainer (SPÖ) criticized that the energy cost compensation of 150 euros was too low. Due to the increased tax revenue, the finance minister in particular is benefiting from the inflation, as he is not returning the full amount of the additional revenue. Hubert Fuchs (FPÖ) spoke out in favor of reducing taxes on energy and fuel. Bringing forward the wage tax cut for the second and third pay scales and the abolition of cold progression is “the order of the day”. The current voucher solution is too complicated. For Gerald Loacker (Neos), the abolition of cold progression would also be the more sensible relief for citizens.
The social partners, who had felt ignored, submitted further proposals to the federal government on Wednesday, which are now to be examined and discussed in greater detail in the coming weeks.
company relieved
The majority of the National Council also gave the go-ahead for the amendment to the Energy Tax Remuneration Act. With the increase in advance payments for energy taxes for energy-intensive production companies from five to 25 percent, liquidity should be better secured. The companies can get back part of the paid energy taxes from the tax office.
The federal government rejected the criticism. According to Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), there was a widespread reaction.
Source: Nachrichten
