How do I get a VAT refund in Austria?

Generally, if you’re registered for VAT in Austria, you can reclaim input VAT you’ve paid on your VAT return. You can do this in the following cases: 

• When you have a valid invoice
• VAT you paid on imports
• VAT on an intra-Community acquisition
• When you're using the reverse charge mechanism   

How long do I have to reclaim input VAT? 

Import VAT can be reclaimed in the month in which it has been paid (or in case the tax authorities levy import VAT, at the time import VAT is due). 

Input VAT should be reclaimed in the period you paid it, on your VAT return. As an alternative you can make the reclaim on the annual return instead. If you make a mistake reporting input VAT, you’re allowed to issue a correcting within the same fiscal year.  

Once you’ve filed your return, you’ll be issued a VAT assessment, which confirms the contents of your return. In Austria tax law, this assessment (and some other documents) is called an “administrative act”. When the tax authority issues the assessment, they close proceedings on your VAT return. 

If you don’t reclaim your VAT by the end of the year and you’ve been issued the administrative act, then you’ll need to use a legal remedy to reopen proceedings. Generally, you have 5 years to do this. 

How do I refund excess input VAT? 

When you have more VAT to reclaim than you do to pay, you may be able to have the difference refunded or carried forward as credit. If you have any VAT debt, the excess will first go towards paying it off. 

The Austrian tax authority is likely to deny your request for a refund if they foresee you having to pay VAT again within the next three months.