General national economic measures
*small business relief or other financial support
* interest free crisis loans
* company tax relief
* VAT relief
* income support for employees
* income support for freelance workers
* unemployment relief
* unemployment relief for freelance workers
* business rates payment holiday
* employer social security payment holiday
* loan repayment holiday
* mortgage payment holiday
* tax returns and or VAT returns suspended/delayed
More info :
-A hardship fund of €2bn was launched as a safety net for the self-employed. Applications were possible until the end of 2020. The Hardship Fund was for self-employed persons who had no turnover and were supported in covering their living expenses. The money was a one-time grant and did not have to be paid back.
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-The Austrian government confirmed a total of €38bn in support: €4bn support for workers on reduced hours and small and medium-sized companies, €9bn in credit guarantees to secure loans, €10bn for tax deferrals, €15bn in emergency aid to be paid out particularly exposed sectors.
Companies could apply for government funding to support workers on reduced hours for up to 90% of their usual income. More info here.
Small and medium-sized companies could apply here for credit guarantees.
Applications for tax deferments by companies and individuals were available here (until June 2021). Self-employed people insured with the SVS could defer social security payments here.
More information about the €38bn package here.
National measures specific to the music sector or to culture in general
The music sector could benefit from the above-mentioned general measures.
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In October 2020, the Austrian federal government announced a €300 million ‘protective umbrella’ to provide certainty for promoters of concerts, trade shows and other live events.
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This funding was designed to remove the risk for event organisers, to allow them to carry on business as usual: If programmed shows had to be cancelled due to new rules, the government would bear the costs of the cancellation.
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Health measures
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Covid-19 measures and restrictions in the country can be found on the government's website.
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Measures taken by local collecting society organisations
-Austro Mechana set up a €1m fund. Authors and publishers could apply for grants and loans of up to €15,000. More information here.
-A fund for performers was also set up by local performers and producers society Oestig. More information here.
Other music funds available
The Association of the Austrian Music Industry - IFPI Austria - launched an aid program for local music labels in cooperation with indie association VTMÖ and endowed this with up to €1m. More information here.
Support from national radio and other media
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Austrian independent music companies association VTMÖ organised a campaign in 2020 asking all radio and TV stations to broadcast twice as much Austrian music as usual.
Social media and other campaigns to promote music during the crisis
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Austrian independent music companies association VTMÖ organised a campaign asking all radio and TV stations to broadcast twice as much Austrian music as usual. https://www.facebook.com/indies.at/posts/3049675548376304
List of livestreamed concerts organised in reaction to the COVID19 crisis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2507685959483497/
Business and other expected losses
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Still under evaluation
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