Can I claim the Family Bonus Plus in Austria?
Yes — if you receive family allowance and pay tax. The Family Bonus Plus is a tax credit of up to €2,000 per year per child up to the 18th birthday. After that it reduces to €700.92 per year per child, as long as family allowance is still drawn. The condition is that family allowance is received for the child. As it's a tax credit (it lowers tax, not a cash payout), you need enough income tax for the full benefit — otherwise the child top-up amount applies. Splitting: one parent claims the full amount or both split 50:50, freely per child. In short: yes, with family allowance and enough tax.
📋 The rules
- Up to €2,000/year per child until 18
- From 18: €700.92/year per child
- Condition: family allowance is received
- It's a tax credit, not cash
- Split full or 50:50 per child
🔓 Exceptions
- Separated parents: 90:10 or 50:50 split possible
- Monthly via the employer or via the assessment
- Little/no tax: the child top-up amount instead
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Key figures: €2,000/year per child under 18, €700.92/year per child 18+ (while family allowance continues). Wrongly claimed amounts are recovered via the assessment (back-payment). Beware a myth: "the Family Bonus Plus is paid out in cash like an extra allowance" is false — it lowers your income tax; if you owe little or no tax you can't fully use it (the separate child top-up exists for that). Tip: claim it monthly via payroll or afterwards via the employee tax assessment, and agree the split with the other parent.
📎 Official sources
- Finance Ministry · Family Bonus Plus →
- oesterreich.gv.at · Family Bonus Plus →
- finanz.at · Family Bonus Plus →
❓ Frequently asked
How high is the Family Bonus Plus?
The Family Bonus Plus is up to €2,000 per year per child up to the 18th birthday. After that it reduces to €700.92 per year per child, provided family allowance is still drawn for the child. It's an annual maximum per child.
Who is entitled?
You're entitled if family allowance is received for the child and you pay income tax in Austria. As the Family Bonus Plus is a tax credit that lowers tax, you need sufficient income tax to use the full amount.
Is the Family Bonus paid in cash?
No. The Family Bonus Plus is a tax credit that lowers your income tax, not a cash payout like family allowance. If you owe little or no tax you can't fully use it. For that case there's the separate child top-up amount.
Can I split it with the other parent?
Yes. Either one parent claims the full amount, or both split it 50:50. The choice can be made per child individually. For separated parents, specific split rules apply depending on the maintenance and childcare situation.
How do I claim it?
You can claim the Family Bonus Plus either monthly via payroll with the employer, or afterwards via the employee tax assessment or tax return. What matters is that family allowance is received for the child in the relevant year.
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