How to Save on Your Austrian Taxes in 2025: Deductions, Bonuses & Little-Known Perks

From negative tax refunds to commuter allowances and family bonuses, Austria’s tax system offers more benefits than many people realize. Whether you’re new here or have lived in Austria for years, knowing what to claim during tax season could save you hundreds of euros.

📉 Negative Tax for Low Income

Even if you didn’t pay income tax—because you worked part-time, interned, or took parental leave—you may still get money back. That’s thanks to Austria’s negative tax (social security bonus), especially relevant if you had no wage tax withheld. Add a commuter allowance, and your refund might increase.

👨‍👧 Single Parent & Single Earner Relief

If you’re a single parent or earn alone in a household, you can claim:

• €601 for one child
• €813 for two children
• €268 for each additional child

This applies even as negative tax, as long as you receive family allowance for at least 6 months of the year.

 

👶 Family Bonus Plus

This directly reduces your income tax:

• €2,000.04/year for each child under 18
• €650.04/year for each child over 18

If you can’t claim the full bonus, you might still get an additional child allowance of up to €700 per child, depending on your income and job activity.

📩 Maintenance & Alimony

If you pay child support, you can deduct:

• €37/month for the first child
• €55/month for the second
• €73/month for each additional child

Children must live in Austria, the EU/EEA, or Switzerland for full deductions. For others, reduced limits apply.

🙏 Donations & Church Contributions

Up to €600 in charity donations and church contributions is deductible annually. Most are reported automatically to the tax office. You can also claim amounts given for your partner or kids (if you get family allowance for them).

🚌 Commuter Allowance

The Pendlerpauschale helps long-distance commuters:

• Small allowance: from 20 km (public transport is reasonable)
• Large allowance: from 2 km (public transport isn’t feasible)
• Commuter Euro: €2 per km of one-way commute

If your employer gives you a Jobticket, that’s deducted, but you can still claim the difference.

📚 Job-Related Education & Training

You can deduct:

• Course fees and study materials
• Travel and accommodation costs for exams
• Language courses—if required for work

🏠 Home Office Deductions

If you worked from home in 2024, you can claim:

• €3/day up to 100 days (home office lump sum)
• Up to €300 for ergonomic furniture (min. 26 days work-from-home)
• Actual costs of digital work equipment (PCs, internet, etc.)

In 2025, this becomes the teleworking lump sum, but the conditions remain.

🏢 Betriebsrat Levy (Works Council)

This deduction is often missed. The works council levy is taken automatically but must be added under “other income-related expenses” to count. Union dues already deducted via payroll don’t need to be added again.

♿ Disability, Illness & Special Diets

You may claim flat-rate allowances for disabilities (starting from 25% severity), including:

• Special dietary needs (€42 to €70/month)
• Extraordinary expenses like medicine, aids, treatments

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📌 Final Tips

Austria’s tax system may seem complex, but it offers real benefits to parents, commuters, low earners, and the self-employed. Take the time to explore your deductions—and don’t leave money on the table.

Need help filing your tax return? Let us know or drop your questions in the comments.