Notifying the tax office – sole proprietorship

General information

The tax office ( BMF)German text must be informed if a business activity ceases, regardless of the reason.

Caution

These rules apply to all entrepreneurs from EU Member States in Austria.

Please note

If a business closes due to insolvency, the tax office is notified by the court ( BMJ)German text or an administrator or reorganisation administrator.

Enterprises affected

Sole traders

Requirements

Cessation of trading activities

Deadlines

Within a month of ceasing to trade.

Competent authority

The tax office ( BMF)German text must be informed that the business has ceased to trade.

Procedure

Notifications can be made to the Tax Office at the same time as submitting the necessary documentation. This can be done in person, by post, by fax or via FinanzOnline.

Required documents

Costs and fees

No fees or duties are payable.

Further information

Sole traders retain their income tax and tax number after their death. The tax office collects the outstanding tax payments on the date of death at the end of the relevant calendar year. The tax number is then cancelled and the heirs receive a new tax number if required.

Caution

Any outstanding tax must still be paid to the tax office. Once it has been paid, the tax office will issue registered companies with a clearance certificate which must be presented when the company is removed from the companies register.

The tax office will repay any credit balance.

Further links

Legal bases

Einkommenssteuergesetz 1988

Expert information

In the event of disposal of a company or cessation of trading, gains on disposal or cessation must be determined and, in principle, are taxable according to the marginal income tax rate.

The following, alternative, tax advantages are available:

  • tax allowance of 7,300 Euro;
  • distribution of the gains on disposal over 3 years (if 7 years have elapsed since the start of trading or the last transaction for payment);
  • reduced tax rate (if 7 years have elapsed since the start of trading or the last paid acquisition and on one of the following grounds: the taxpayer has died, is unable to work because of a physical or mental disability or has reached the age of 60 and is no longer working).
  • After 30 June 2023, properties are removed from the business assets at book value. If the trading has ceased and for this reason (parts of) buildings have been transferred to personal assets before 1 July 2023, on request, the hidden assets relating thereto are not recorded if the building has been the taxpayer’s main residence until trading ceases and the taxpayer dies or is unable to work because of a physical or mental disability or has reached the age of 60 and is no longer working.

Link to form

Authentication and signature

Electronically: registration via FinanzOnline ( BMF)German text with login details, ID Austria or EU login

In writing: by informal letter or by sending a signed and completed form

Means of redress or appeal

Not applicable

Assistance and problem-solving services

There are no assistance or problem-solving services.

Further service points

Tax Ombudsman of the Federal Ministry of Finance ( oesterreich.gv.at)German text

Translated by the European Commission, altered by the Federal Ministry of Finance
Last update: 1 January 2024

Responsible for the content: Federal Ministry of Finance

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