Austria's Ministry of Finance announced that the federal government has approved further business relief measures, centred on higher turnover thresholds for mandatory bookkeeping and a new option to recognise internally generated intangible assets in the balance sheet, with the stated aim of reducing administrative burden for SMEs and start-ups. The turnover threshold triggering the bookkeeping obligation is to rise to EUR 1 million from EUR 700,000, meaning more businesses can continue using income-and-expenditure accounting and are less likely to be pushed into more extensive balance-sheet requirements due to inflation and price increases. In addition, a new option under Section 197(2) of the Austrian Commercial Code (UGB) would allow self-created intangible assets such as internally developed software or patents to be capitalised, which the release links to improved visibility of innovation, a stronger equity base, better bank ratings and easier access to financing. Separately, a draft to implement the EU Omnibus legal act simplifying sustainability reporting is in interministerial coordination.
Ministry of Finance (Austria) 2026-04-16
Austria's Ministry of Finance approves raising the bookkeeping threshold to EUR 1 million and a new capitalisation option for internally generated intangible assets
Austria’s Ministry of Finance announced federal approval of further business relief measures, including raising the turnover threshold for mandatory bookkeeping to EUR 1 million from EUR 700,000 and allowing capitalisation of self-created intangible assets such as internally developed software or patents under Section 197(2) of the Austrian Commercial Code. The measures aim to reduce administrative burden for SMEs and start-ups and support innovation visibility, equity strength, bank ratings and access to financing. Separately, a draft to implement the EU Omnibus legal act simplifying sustainability reporting is in interministerial coordination.