The climate bonus will be paid out in 2024 for an amount of 145 to 290 euros. The federal government announced this on Wednesday after the Council of Ministers. The amount of the bonus is essentially based on the CO2 pricing and is therefore now being adjusted. Just like last year, payment should start after the summer. According to information from the climate department, the change in the law will be decided at the plenary session of the National Council, also on Wednesday.
According to government information, the basic amount of the climate bonus will increase to 145 euros in 2024. Including the so-called regional compensation, the payment levels are 145, 195, 245 and 290 euros. As before, regional equalization takes into account regional differences in public transport connections and the available infrastructure (schools, hospitals, etc.). Environmental Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) said that anyone still dependent on a car should not experience any disadvantages.
The climate bonus must be taxed for higher incomes
As in previous years, the bonus will once again be paid to all people who have had their main residence in Austria for more than six months. The aim is to increase social accuracy: from an annual income of more than 66,612 euros, the bonus is taxable this year. According to the federal government, this corresponds to a gross monthly income of approximately 4,750 euros (14 times a year). In this case, the climate bonus is added to the assessment basis for the income tax assessment.
The associated legal adjustments to further develop the climate bonus will be submitted to the National Council via an amendment on Wednesday and, according to the Ministry of the Environment, should also be decided in the plenary meeting on Wednesday.
Payment via bank transfer and RSa letter
As before, payment will be made after the summer – by bank transfer and by post using an RSa letter. No application is required for this. To ensure the climate bonus arrives, citizens can update their account details on finanzonline.at until July 10. The coalition also wants to increase the number of automatic bank transfers when paying out the climate bonus. This should be achieved by improving the data base: to this end, data from the personnel administration of federal employees should be made available – the corresponding, already established legislative change will also be decided in the plenary meeting on Wednesday.
Gewessler: “CO2 pricing works”
Gewessler said in the press foyer after the cabinet meeting that the CO2 price increases every year, but at the same time emissions are falling as intended. “The eco-social tax reform is working, carbon emissions are at historic lows, carbon pricing is working,” she said. Climate-friendly behavior must be worthwhile, the department head emphasized. The less CO2 is consumed per person, the more is ultimately left over.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
