The short version
- The deadline for submitting the tax return expires at midnight.
- About 500,000 Norwegians do not check their tax return, according to the Swedish Tax Agency. Experts encourage everyone to check the tax return carefully.
- Taxpayers should check that what has been pre-filled is correct and whether there are any missing fields or deductions.
- A new change this year is that loans and interest deductions are now distributed between borrowers.
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But you should still pick up the pace. The deadline for making changes expires at midnight.
And the message from the experts is clear: Check the tax return!
– Even if the tax return is filled in in advance, you cannot use it as a resting pillow, says lawyer in the Taxpayers Association Ivar Slettedal to VG.
Lawyer in the Taxpayers’ Association
The Norwegian Tax Agency’s figures from last year show a large difference from when the tax return was sent out to the submission deadline:
- The number of taxpayers who received tax refunds increased by 300,000
- The number who received residual tax was reduced from 900,000 to 740,000
Nevertheless, there are around 500,000 Norwegians who do not open their tax return, according to the Swedish Tax Agency.
– That is a very high number, says Slettedal.
He adds:
– It is disturbing, since the taxpayers themselves are responsible for checking that what is written there is correct. There can be errors, even in what is pre-filled, so it is important to look over everything.
He is supported by private economist Hallgeir Kvadsheim:
– It’s a shame, because they can miss out on deductions. You can also risk penalty tax if your income is lower or higher deductions than you are entitled to, he says to VG.
Private economist
– Ultimately, you have to check this, so those who don’t check are ultimately living a bit of a risky life.
Kvadsheim believes that many people take for granted that what is written in the tax return is correct, and have an exaggerated view of how much the authorities actually know about you.
– People think that all banks and employers report correctly, but mistakes happen. You are the one who has to take care of it. Only you know your own finances.
Five tips:
Are you out at the last minute and will check tonight? Here are five tips.
PS: If you discover that you have forgotten something, you can change it and deliver again. If you are unable to deliver by the deadline, you can apply for a postponement.
1. Check the numbers: Is there something jarring?
– It is not the case that the tax authorities think you should check on the krone that the income is the same. But you have to do a rough check and see that your income or loan is not much higher or lower than it is, says Kvadsheim.
2. Are there any fields missing?
An example could be cryptocurrency, which according to Kvadsheim is owned by around 400,000 Norwegians.
– It will probably not be pre-filled. The tax authorities have a strong focus on crypto, so it is stupid not to list it. The risk of being caught is quite high.
3. Think: Did big things happen?
– Did something special happen in 2023? Did you take out higher loans? Did you move? Did you become a parent? The big things that have happened in your life may have had consequences for the economy and thus also for taxes, says Kvadsheim.
4. Check which deductions you are entitled to
Some deductions are pre-filled, but some must be filled in yourself, for example travel deductions. Parental deductions must be filled in beforehand, but did you know that you can also get deductions for detours to the nursery school or travel costs to the babysitter?
Check The tax authorities deduction supervisor.
5. New change this year: The interest is shared
If you have a loan, you should note this change: Loans and interest deductions are now distributed between the borrowers. It’s new this year.
– This year, one will get much more in tax than they are used to, and the other will have to pay more. With joint finances, it doesn’t matter, but if you have more separate finances, you may have to make some adjustments, says Kvadsheim.
22 billion paid out
Division director of the Swedish Tax Agency Marta Johanne Gjengedal says they see that many people check and hand in their tax return as soon as they receive it.
– Of course we want everyone to check. But our investigations indicate that those who do not check often have simple and predictable tax conditions, she tells VG.
Divisional director in the Swedish Tax Agency
According to the Swedish Tax Agency’s own figures, 4 million have so far checked their tax returns. 2.8 million have submitted it.
So far, 1.7 million tax settlements have been sent out. Together, these have received 22 billion in tax, she says.
– By not checking, you can, for example, miss out on deductions you are entitled to, or that you submit an incomplete tax return. It is your responsibility that the information provided is correct.
