On the USP portal, users can find customised, business-related information and a package of eGovernment applications, which can be accessed online, through a single sign-on feature. The aim of the USP is to create optimal conditions for entrepreneurs and provide modern, efficient and digital administrative processes, so that they can save time and money. It is also intended to strengthen the country’s position as a business location and to further enhance Austrian eGovernment.
In April 2006, the Austrian Federal Government launched an initiative to reduce administrative burdens for businesses which is expected to bring to the business community a potential benefit of more than €1 billion in 2012; a key feature of that initiative is the USP, which is estimated to create annual savings of up to €300 million for businesses. For companies, having to report to various levels of government and to comply with several information obligations causes many time delays and financial burdens. On a yearly basis, businesses consult approximately 230 million times the 5 700 pieces of federal legislation that concern their dealings with the public authorities or third parties. The USP is intended to change this.
Users can retrieve all business-related information pertaining to administrative procedures from the portal. The portal also ensures fast and efficient response around the clock for information obligations (such as how to register new employees). With its numerous, practical and easy-to-use features, USP is intended to make entrepreneurs’ lives easier. The USP is adapted to the needs of people and companies in Austria - and not vice versa.
More specifically, thanks to the USP portal, entrepreneurs can, under the highest security conditions:
- access information around the clock;
- make use of the most important Federal eGovernment applications, for example FinanzOnline (eGovernment application for all tax related procedures);
- access customised information matching their businesses profiles;
- benefit from improved time and cost efficiency through process integration.
The use of USP as an entrepreneur requires prior registration, through various means:
- with one's Finance Online credentials;
- using mobile phone signatures, which can be unlocked through Finance Online, SendStation or www.handy-signatur.at;
- with the Citizen Card: www.buergerkarte.at;
- at the tax offices - the appropriate tax authority can be found online.
The Business Service Portal already offers information and tips in all areas where businesses have to deal with public authorities. In addition, there is currently a database of forms available and a search function for finding the competent authority to deal with in a particular case.
Alongside this information platform, the most important eGovernment applications, such as FinanzOnline and electronic data exchange with Austrian social security institutions are being integrated into the Business Service Portal on a step-by-step basis. More eGovernment applications will be continuously added. The next step of the Business Service Portal will be to mainly focus on the optimisation of notification processes and on avoiding multiple notifications.
The initiative is coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Finance and has been implemented by this same Ministry and the Federal Chancellery, in co-operation with all Federal Ministries.
Further information:
- Original Press Release - Digital Austria (in German)
- USP (in German and in English)
- Related ePractice Article - AT: Launch of business service portal USP.gv.at
- Related Information on the Business Service Portal - Federal Ministry of Finance
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Quelle/Source: epractice, 23.07.2012
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