DAC8 Reporting in Austria: Practical Guide

Austria has developed a comprehensive tax framework for crypto-assets, including specific provisions introduced through tax reform legislation. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium fuer Finanzen, BMF) and its operational arm are expected to implement DAC8 reporting requirements. This guide covers the practical aspects of DAC8 compliance for entities operating in Austria.

National Authority

The Bundesministerium fuer Finanzen (BMF) is responsible for tax policy in Austria, while the operational tax administration is carried out through regional tax offices under the coordination of the BMF. For international information exchange, the BMF serves as the competent authority. Austria has an established framework for CRS and FATCA reporting, which is expected to provide the foundation for DAC8 implementation.

Submission Requirements

Austria's tax administration has progressively digitised its processes, and DAC8 submissions are expected to follow this trend.

• Format: Reports should comply with the OECD CARF XML schema as mandated by DAC8. The BMF may publish additional technical specifications and validation rules for Austrian submissions.
• Language: Official tax filings in Austria are conducted in German. The standardised XML data fields should follow international conventions, but any accompanying documentation or correspondence is expected to be in German.
• Submission channel: Austria's FinanzOnline platform is the primary electronic tax filing system. DAC8 reporting may be integrated into FinanzOnline or handled through a dedicated channel. The exact submission method is to be confirmed by the BMF.
• Tax identification: Reporting entities will need an Austrian tax number (Steuernummer) and FinanzOnline access credentials to submit reports.

Transposition Status

Austria must transpose the DAC8 directive into national law by December 31, 2025. The transposition typically involves amendments to relevant tax legislation, potentially including the Gemeinsamer Meldestandard-Gesetz (GMSG, the Austrian CRS law) or new standalone legislation. The Austrian Parliament (Nationalrat) will need to approve the implementing legislation. Austria has generally been diligent in meeting EU transposition deadlines for tax directives.

Local Variations

Austria may introduce specific national elements in its DAC8 implementation:

• Existing crypto tax regime: Austria introduced a comprehensive crypto-asset tax regime effective March 1, 2022, under the Okosoziales Steuerreformgesetz. Crypto-asset gains are generally subject to a special tax rate. DAC8 data may be used to verify compliance with these domestic rules.
• Austrian reporting obligations: Crypto-asset service providers in Austria may already have domestic reporting obligations to the tax authority. DAC8 may supplement or replace these requirements.
• FMA regulation: The Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA, Financial Market Authority) oversees crypto-asset service providers. DAC8 reporting may be coordinated with FMA regulatory requirements under MiCA.
• Withholding tax considerations: Austria's crypto-asset tax regime includes withholding tax provisions for Austrian service providers. DAC8 reporting may interact with these obligations.

Key Dates

• Transposition deadline: December 31, 2025 (directive must be incorporated into Austrian law)
• Data collection begins: January 1, 2026 (reporting entities should begin collecting relevant data)
• First reporting period: Calendar year 2026
• First reports due: 2027 (exact date to be confirmed by the BMF)

Practical Tips

• Register for FinanzOnline: Ensure your entity has active FinanzOnline access well before the reporting deadline. This is likely to be the primary submission channel.
• Monitor BMF communications: The BMF publishes information letters (BMF-Info) and circulars that provide guidance on tax reporting obligations. Watch for DAC8-specific publications.
• Align with existing crypto tax compliance: Coordinate DAC8 reporting with your entity's obligations under Austria's domestic crypto-asset tax regime, including any withholding tax responsibilities.
• Prepare German-language capabilities: Ensure your compliance team can handle communications and documentation in German.
• Engage with the Austrian crypto industry: Industry associations may coordinate with the BMF on DAC8 implementation details and can be a useful source of practical guidance.
• Maintain thorough documentation: Austrian tax authorities may audit reporting entities. Keep comprehensive records of due diligence procedures, data collection, and submitted reports.

Important Notice

This guide provides general information about DAC8 reporting in Austria. Requirements may change as the directive is transposed into national law. The information presented here should not be considered definitive legal or tax advice. Always consult the Bundesministerium fuer Finanzen (BMF) and the Finanzmarktaufsicht (FMA) for the latest official requirements. For specific compliance questions, seek advice from qualified Austrian tax professionals (Steuerberater or Wirtschaftspruefer).