Putin’s Decree on Double Taxation: Vienna Evaluates the Measure

After Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision not to implement most of the provisions of the bilateral double taxation agreement with Austria, the Finance Ministry is considering taking further steps.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance is currently assessing how to proceed at the ministerial level with the Foreign Office and European partners,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance said today when asked by APA.

He explained that when considering these considerations, it is important to take into account the potential impacts, particularly for affected Austrian individuals and companies, as well as the national perspective.

Meanwhile, the representative of the ministry emphasized that the suspension of individual clauses in the bilateral double taxation agreement with Russia by decree of Putin was not contractually provided for.

protests from Japan

Reactions in the 37 other affected countries, which Russia classifies as “unfriendly” as Austria, have been somewhat guarded. The protest was known only from Japan.

The Reuters news agency quoted the head of the Cabinet Secretariat, Hirokazu Matsuno, as saying, “This is an unjustified measure that may harm Japanese citizens and companies.” Japan protested through diplomatic channels and asked Russia to reverse the decision.