NEOS want 2.40 euro parcel tax scrapped, SPÖ holds firm
The NEOS, the smallest party in Austria's governing coalition, now want the new parcel tax withdrawn barely a week after it took effect. Party leader and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger called the levy "a real botch" in an interview published on Friday, and the party says it will raise the issue inside the coalition. The Finance Ministry under Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) is so far holding on to the tax.
Since 1 October, online retailers with more than 100 million euros in domestic sales pay 2 euros per parcel or per order, which comes to 2.40 euros including VAT. The money is meant to help pay for the VAT cut on selected basic foods that has applied since 1 July. According to the NEOS, the tax was supposed to hit cheap foreign platforms, but EU law does not allow that, so it now lands on European retailers and, in many cases, on customers. Books, medicines and household goods bought online can become more expensive.
The ÖVP is also sceptical. Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer has said he is no friend of the levy, and Chancellor Christian Stocker said it gives him no pleasure, although it could reduce the flood of parcels. The retail association has filed a complaint with the European Commission, Zalando has taken the law to the Constitutional Court, and Otto is challenging its tax notices. The Chamber of Commerce on Friday urged the finance minister to withdraw the tax quickly.
For now nothing changes. If you order online, check at checkout whether the retailer adds the 2.40 euros per order or per parcel: Amazon charges it per order, some retailers absorb it, and Otto and Universal cover it only until 11 October. Returns sent back after delivery can still carry the charge, although several large retailers refund it on complete returns. Any abolition would need a coalition agreement and a change in the law first.