The New Business Support Act
(Neugründungs-Förderungsgesetz - NeuFöG)
Startups are exempt from the obligation of having to pay specified business startup costs (fees and charges) due to the New Business Support Act (Neugründungs-Förderungsgesetz - NeuFöG).
The exemptions (costs refunded by the government) mainly refer to
- court fees for registration in the Commercial Register,
- stamp duties and federal administrative levies for founding the new company,
- property transfer tax as well as court fees for entry in the Austrian land register,
- the exemption from certain payroll fringe costs equaling about six percent when hiring employees within the first 36 months.
The status of being a startup is attested by a NeuFöG confirmation issued by the Startup Service (German) of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.
This confirmation must already be presented at the time the government funding is claimed (e.g. at the same time as the business registration). A subsequent filing of the form will not result in the refunding of already paid fees, charges and contributions.
If the exemptions are claimed from several different authorities (e.g. business authority, tax office, commercial court, land registry court), the original declaration must be presented to each authority.
Would you like to learn more about the New Business Support Act?
Get all informations about setting up a sole proprietorship and download our brochure.
Interested in the original Business Support Act (Neugründungs-Förderungsgesetz - NeuFöG)?
Here you can find the translated version.