Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) wants to achieve a further reduction in the tax on mineral oil in view of the high fuel prices. “A reduction of VAT on fuel is not possible under EU law. A reduction in the tax on mineral oil would be another measure, eight cents would be possible for diesel and 15 cents for petrol,” Brunner said in a newspaper interview on Thursday. “I personally don’t mind that.”
In mid-March, Brunner announced a plan to lower taxes on mineral oil over the coming weeks. It remains to be seen whether the green government partner will agree to a tax cut for mineral oil. “It may not be easy with the coalition partner, but you have to discuss everything,” Brunner told the “Standard”.
Skepticism about further measures
However, the Minister of Finance is slowing down further measures against high energy costs. “The state is also not responsible for balancing everything.” He does not want the government’s €4 billion anti-inflation package to be loosened, as the social partners are demanding.
Brunner is skeptical about a special tax for energy companies. “We receive higher dividends from companies in which the Republic has a direct interest, such as OMV or Verbund, and return exactly that to the citizens,” the finance minister said. “A tax here would be market intervention, and we have to be careful there too.”
Source: Krone
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