[ad_1]
Almost all countries have to take on massive debt in the Corona crisis to help businesses. Therefore, many demand a crown tax for the rich.
The national debt in Europe reached new all-time highs in the crown pandemic. Many politicians are campaigning for a special crown solidarity tax for the rich, “Die Presse” reports.
The Austrian government is also spending billions to help companies overcome the crisis. While many companies are trembling for their survival, there are also companies that are benefiting enormously from the crisis.
Jeff Bezos and other entrepreneurs keep getting rich
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, for example, has no financial complaints this year. Your online provider makes even more profit during this time, as stores are closed and many people order online.
Bezos is considered the richest man in the world. According to the American magazine “Forbes”, his private equity was 115 billion dollars at the beginning of the year, but now it has risen to 185 billion dollars.
The American businessman is just one example of many. According to the “Bank Credit Suisse” wealth report, 13 billionaires were able to increase their wealth by more than 50 percent this year.
Kogler for wealth tax
Because of these circumstances, the discussion about a crown tax for the rich is getting louder. In Germany, for example, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) argues that “citizens who earn a lot make a slightly higher contribution.” The Spanish ruling party “Unidas Podemos” sees it in a similar way and wants wealthy citizens to help in the crisis through a “special tax.”
In Austria, the debate had already erupted in the spring when Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler advocated a wealth tax in several interviews. More recently, the green politician brought a contribution from “heirs to millionaire and billionaire foundations.”
Debt ratio of 90 percent
The SPÖ has long demanded the well-known wealth and inheritance tax. And the demand is once again important in the current situation. Austria will go into huge debt in the Crown crisis, not just the 85 percent of gross domestic product that has always been mentioned so far.
Government circles already assume a debt ratio of 90 percent or more. Even celebrities like the restorer Attila Doğudan or the building contractor Hans Peter Haselsteiner spoke out in favor of excise taxes on wealth and inheritance.
ÖVP against you
The ÖVP has always rejected this in the past. However, it is not clear how the debt will be reduced. Basically, according to the ÖVP, they want to get the money back through growth, “without taking anything from anyone.”
In the spring, the government partner had spoken out vehemently against him: “For Austria’s economic return after the crisis, an unprecedented national effort is required and not individual action,” Kogler said.
More recently, the ÖVP said it did not want to compromise with the fact that tax increases were excluded for the remaining legislative period.
AK offers concept
The Chamber of Labor has already drawn up a concept already drawn up for a “solidarity tax.” With a temporary property lien, the debts accumulated in the Crown crisis should be partially reduced, on the one hand, and investments in the future, for example in climate protection or the welfare state, should be possible, he explains. AK financial expert Markus Marterbauer at the “Presse”.
The tax must be applied to assets from ten million euros. According to AK, this would affect about one percent of domestic households.
People with more than ten million euros in private assets should pay the state a tax of two percent per year. For assets of € 100 million or more, three percent must be paid. Marterbauer believes that would bring the state seven billion euros a year.
There was a wealth tax in Austria from 1954 to 1993. It was abolished by the then SPÖ Finance Minister Ferdinand Lacina due to low income. Furthermore, companies were mainly affected.
