What is the climate bonus?
The climate bonus is part of the eco-social tax reform and is intended to reduce the burden of the new CO2 tax on the population. It will be paid out from October, depending on where you live, between 100 and 200 euros per person, children get half. An application is not necessary, the money is transferred directly to the account. If there is no account information, you will receive a voucher that you can redeem in cash in shops or at the bank.
Who gets the climate bonus?
Anyone who has their main residence in Austria for at least 183 days in the entitlement year, i.e. half a year, receives the climate bonus.
How much money do you get?
That depends on where you live. All communities were divided into four categories by Statistics Austria, whereby two criteria were decisive: the connection to public transport and the degree of urbanization (how far away is the nearest pharmacy or the nearest kindergarten).
The lowest annual climate bonus of 100 euros will go exclusively to the people of Vienna. Large cities such as Graz, Innsbruck and Linz fall into the second tier, where all adults are to receive 133 euros a year. Many surrounding communities receive the third level (167 euros), 200 euros are mainly (but not only) available in the countryside.
Do children also get the climate bonus?
Yes, they get half the amount that an adult is entitled to in that community. The climate bonus is transferred to the account to which the family allowance is also paid.
Do I have to submit an application for the climate bonus?
no The payout is automatic.
What do you have to do to get the climate bonus on your account?
All those who have entered a current account number in FinanzOnline or receive benefits from the pension insurance company will have the money transferred to the account. The Ministry of Climate Protection receives the necessary data from the Ministry of Finance and the pension insurance.
According to the ministry, anyone who wants to be sure that the money ends up in their account can still register with FinanzOnline and update their account number there. Data entered there by June 30th will be taken into account in the payment.
What happens if you don’t have an account?
Then you get the climate bonus as a voucher. No application is required for this variant either. The voucher is sent with an RSa letter and can then be redeemed at various shops or exchanged for cash at a bank partner.
How long does it take to get the climate bonus?
The transfers and mailing are scheduled to start at the beginning of October. The transfers should be completed in a short time. Due to the limited capacities of the post office when sending RSa letters, this option will take a few weeks, according to the ministry. Anyone who has received the voucher can redeem it immediately.
What if you recently moved?
Then it takes longer to get the money. If someone only moved to Austria during the first half of the year, or has just been born, the procedure will be delayed. For all these cases, a data comparison will be carried out again from January 1st and the money will then be paid out to all persons entitled to claim.
Who do you go to if you want to complain?
There should be a separate arbitration board, details are not yet known.
Where can I find answers to questions about the climate bonus?
In June there will be information by post and a dedicated website, and from autumn there will also be a call center.
Source: Nachrichten
