The recent financial crisis has caused a serious economic recession in Austria. In an internationally-coordinated effort to counter the economic slump, the Austrian government enacted extensive fiscal packages as well as measures aimed at stabilisation of the banking sector. The fiscal packages...

The tax reform 2004-05 includes tax cuts within income taxation (€ –2.2 billion) and corporate taxation (€ –1.1 billion) as well as increases of several excise taxes (€ +232 million). It is realised in two steps: the first tax reform package, taking effect in 2004, was adopted by the...

In February 2000, the Austrian Federal Government set itself the target of achieving a balanced budget by 2002. A domestic stability pact was agreed that specified the budget performance to be achieved by the central, regional and local authorities. To this end, a comprehensive consolidation...

By simulating some economic-policy measures in the WIFO White Paper "Towards Higher Employment via Economic Growth Based on Innovation and Qualification", we can gauge their effectiveness and make a comparative assessment. Impacts can diverge greatly between the short and long term, which is why...