Church tax (Kirchenbeitrag)

An article by a guest contributor

My church tax letter for 2023 arrived (Kirchenbeitrag). I thought I'd use the opportunity to remind people about this as it is a topic which comes up constantly.

1. If you pay church tax and wish to continue doing so, be sure to check your letter, especially if self-employed. The "Jahreseinkommen geschätzt" appears on your bill. Make sure this is a sensible estimate of your annual income. I have had no end of bother with them in the past using numbers plucked out of the air to estimate my annual income. Quite how they think it would double or triple in a year I have no idea. If your estimated income is way off, or even a bit off, ring them up or send an email immediately and make them send out a revised bill. I have not and will not sign the direct debit form for this very reason - they think they can take whatever random amount they want!!!

2. If you no longer wish to pay church tax you have the right to leave the church but this will mean that you are unable to marry in the church or have a priest preside at your funeral for example, similarly you can't be a godparent (in the church in Austria). You must produce your baptismal certificate to leave the church https://www.stadt-salzburg.at/religionsaustritt/

3. For anyone new to Austria, when registering on arrival, do not give your religion on your Meldebestätigung if you have no interest in it as you will be liable for church tax. It isn't a harmless census type question. Say you are non-religious. For example if you've been brought up Catholic but are lapsed and no longer attend Mass and have no interest in sacraments such as marriage, baptism for your children or a requiem Mass, do not say you are a Catholic as you will be lumbered with the church tax. Plenty of people in the international community have been caught out by this.

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