Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler and State Secretary and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner have presented a new “energy package”: This contains measures against the exploding energy prices amounting to more than two billion euros. “Together with the package of 1.7 billion that has already been decided, we will relieve the Austrians and the economy with around four billion euros,” said the two ministers.
This four billion relief package is intended primarily to benefit low earners and commuters who depend on their car every day. This also includes the previously announced energy voucher of 150 euros – it will be sent to almost all households in Austria, but may not be redeemed by everyone (top earners are excluded).
Magnus Brunner also gave concrete examples of the relief: A family with a commuter from the Mühlviertel (commuting 50 kilometers) will be relieved with the new energy package of around 900 euros (until June 30th, 2023). Together with the relief from the tax reform and the 1st relief package, this exemplary family will be relieved by a total of almost 3,000 euros, the finance minister calculated.
A hotel with around 50 employees will benefit from the new measures with around 20,000 euros. A large industrial company will be relieved of three million euros.
Brunner also explained that instructions had already been given to the antitrust attorney who was supposed to officially and legally review the fuel prices.
*50% increase in the commuter allowance and quadrupling the commuter euro by June 30, 2023. One-time negative taxable amount of 100 euros for negative tax recipients. → This brings relief of over 400 million euros.
*At the same time, we are making EUR 150 million available this year for price reductions in public transport and an expansion of services. This gives an incentive to switch to public transport if possible.
*Since the gas and electricity prices in particular represent a massive additional burden in everyday life and for companies, we are reducing the specific energy taxes (natural gas tax and electricity tax) by around 90% by June 30, 2023. → Relief of around EUR 900 million.
*An instruction is issued to the antitrust attorney (BMJ) to control the oil industry and companies in the oil/diesel/gasoline value chain. A description of the facts is also sent to the BWB.
*Agricultural diesel cost compensation, elaboration of the details within the framework of the possibilities under European law (limited to 06/30/2023)
*Compensation of rising energy costs in public transport to prevent price increases. (Eg: school trips)
*Relief for domestic SMEs with high fuel costs, especially in the trades and EPU sector, via a fuel refund with a volume of approx. 120 million (limited until June 30th, 2023).
*Liquidity support for companies by reducing the advance payments of income tax/corporate tax payments (limited to June 30, 2023)
*Support for companies to quickly switch to alternative, decarbonized drive forms: a total of 120 million euros for 2022 and 2023.
*Investment offensive for energy independence for wind power and photovoltaic projects: a total of 250 million
