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Austria
NEWS
FACT FILE
Location Central Europe.
Time Zone Greenwich Mean Time +1.
Population 8,200,000.
Capital Vienna.
Airport Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Graz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck.
Language German.
Currency Euro.
Dialing Code +43.
Centre's Expertise Tourism, high-tech, biotech, financial services.
Political System Republic.
Legal System Civil law.
Personal Income Tax Progressive tax rate (up to 50% when tax base exceeds 51,000) numerous exemptions and tax incentives.
Corporate Income Tax Flat 25%, capital gains (cross-border) and inter company dividends (domestic and foreign) tax exempt, far-reaching group taxation system (domestic and foreign losses of sub´s tax deductible).
Exchange Restrictions None.
Tax Treaties More than 80 including Belize, Barbados, Cyprus, Malta, Liechtenstein and San Marino.
Permitted Currencies No restrictions.
Minimum Authorised Capital GmbH (company with limited liability) €35,000. AG (stock corporation) €70,000. Private foundation €70,000.
Minimum Share Issues One (AG, GmbH). Foundation has no shares, only beneficiaries.
Shelf Companies Hardly available.
Incorporation Time Scale One week.
Incorporation Fees Articles of Association €2,500–€4,000. Notary €1,500–€3,000. Registration fees app. €400. Capital duty 1% of paid in share capital.
Annual Fees Minimum corporate tax €1,750 credited against later corporate tax, can be carried forward for indefinite time.
Minimum Number One.
Residency Requirements No.
Corporate Directors No.
Meetings/Frequency As required / discretionary.
Disclosure Yes.
Bearer Shares No.
Minimum Number One.
Public Share Registry Yes.
Meetings Frequency As required / discretionary resolutions can be on mail basis.
Annual Return Obligatory for both trade law and tax law purposes.
Audit Requirements AG (stock corporation) and foundations: obligatory. GmbH: depending on size, obligatory if: employees are more than 250, asset´s value is more than €12.5m and turnover is more than €25m in two consecutive years.
Registered Office Required.
Domicile Issues n/a.
Company Naming Restrictions Only necessary that the name of a company has to be clear and distinctive, it is NOT necessary anymore that the purpose of the company is reflected in its name.
ARTICLES
The New Austrian Holding Regime: Now Better than Ever
  A detailed look at Austria's re-vamped Holding Company, and why the Austrian tax system is so attractive for foreign investment. (04/02/2010)
The Austrian group taxation system: An interesting tool for cross-border tax-planning
  Erich Baier considers the Austrian group taxation system's use in international tax planning. (23/01/2009)
The Austrian holding company
  Erich Baier discusses the features and uses of the Austrian holding company. (01/01/2009)
Austria and the Austrian foundation
  Erich Baier considers the Austrian Foundation as an international tax planning tool. (01/08/2007)
  read all