An audit of 52 Viennese taxi companies has resulted in penalties exceeding €340,000, the Ministry of Finance reported.

Targeted inspections were conducted by the financial police and the Ministry of Finance in May and June, uncovering issues such as illegal employment, tax fraud and tax evasion. “The financial police are fighting vigorously against illegal employment, tax fraud, and tax evasion. Regular targeted checks such as these are crucial to this. In this way, we will continue to take action against all forms of tax fraud in the interests of honest taxpayers and honest business people,” emphasised Finance Minister Magnus Brunner.

According to the ministry, word of the initial checks at the end of May may have spread, but some taxi drivers were still not registered with the social security authorities. This led to several taxi operators having to pay €41,000 in tax arrears.

The June inspections, which were announced in advance, uncovered a mixture of social security registration issues, offences against cash register regulations, and misuse of COVID funds, resulting in €300,000 for the Ministry.

The Vienna Chamber of Commerce’s specialist group for passenger car transport companies expressed its support for the inspections: “We would like to thank the authorities for supporting us in our efforts to get rid of black sheep.” They emphasised that it was unacceptable for a small minority to tarnish the reputation of law-abiding Viennese taxi companies.

There are approximately 7,000 taxis operating in Vienna. In 2023, the transport authority revoked 495 taxi and school bus licences, while 1,544 new licences were issued.