Survey: 59 Percent of Austrians Favor Inheritance and Gift Tax

Personal involvement plays a significant role in the debate. 25 percent of the 1,000 respondents – the sample is representative of the web-active Austrian population aged 16 and above – say they have already received an inheritance or a major gift. A further 28 percent expect to do so according to Gallup. Taking the overlap between the two groups into account, a total of 44 percent of the population are directly or expectedly affected by inheritances or major gifts.

Personal Impact on the Population

Despite these figures, the introduction of an inheritance and gift tax is not planned in the current legislative period. The topic does not appear in the coalition's government program. There is thus a clear gap between the majority wish of the population and the political agenda.

Political Implementation Not Planned for Now

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, WKÖ) firmly rejects an inheritance and wealth tax. The WKÖ saw a "completely wrong signal," saying what is needed is relief rather than new burdens for businesses and family enterprises. Inheritance and wealth taxes are "poison for the business location" and would particularly hit family-run companies and divert capital away from urgently needed investments.

Controversy Between the Economic Chamber and the Union

Disagreement came from the GPA union. "If the IV calls millionaire taxes 'poison,' it is confusing cause and effect." Poison for the location are record prices, labor shortages, and cuts to the welfare state – "not the fair contribution of those who became even richer during the crisis years," said GPA union chair Barbara Teiber in a statement.

The debate over taxing large fortunes is thus gaining momentum in Austria, even though concrete political steps are not forthcoming. Supporters argue in favor of a fairer distribution of crisis burdens, while opponents warn of burdens on family enterprises and the business location.

The survey also shows that willingness to tax is not necessarily tied to a specific wealth threshold: ten percent of respondents are in favor of introduction regardless of the amount of wealth. This suggests that a portion of the population supports a broader tax coverage of inheritances and gifts.

Overall, the survey illustrates a broad societal consensus in favor of an inheritance and gift tax that extends beyond the boundaries of the traditional left-wing electorate. At the same time, the question of whether and how policymakers will translate this sentiment into concrete legislation remains open in the current legislative period.