Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

TAXES

Many Swedes bungle their tax forms

Despite being able to submit tax forms by text message or on the internet, many people actually post a paper declaration but then forget to put a stamp on the envelope.

Published: 2 May 2008 11:12 CEST

Many Swedes bungle their tax forms

According to Kaj Kojer of Sweden’s Tax Authority (Skatteverket) there has been an increase in declarations sent without postage stamps. The forms then have to be returned to the sender, with delays incurred often resulting in missed deadlines and fines of 1000 kronor ($165).

Last spring almost 54,000 people paid a total of 103 million kronor in fines for missing the deadline. Aside from these more basic mistakes, 54 percent send incorrect information regarding the sales or ownership of shares.

Those who have sold private property and need to declare repairs that raised the property value also make the most errors.

Last but not least, it is always a good idea to take time to check Skatteverket’s figures for accuracy.

This year’s submission deadline is May 5th.

How to avoid falling victim to tax scams in Sweden

Anyone who earned more than 22,208 kronor last year received their tax returns digitally last week, marking the start of tax season.

That also means an expected peak in tax-related scams, Skatteverket warns.

Most of the scams are so-called phishing scams, meaning attempts to steal the victims’ personal information. Fraudsters may for example email a person, pretending to represent Skatteverket, and ask them for, among other things, their banking details.

“We’re seeing these in all channels. They use fake emails, SMS, letters and in some cases even phone calls. It is particularly common in tax declaration times – just when we’re about to send out the tax returns, the e-service opens and it’s possible to declare – but above all when it’s time for tax rebates,” Jan Janowski, a Skatteverket expert, told Swedish news agency TT.

A scam email might for example state that you’re entitled to a tax rebate and that you should click a link to receive it. Don’t click any links, open any attachments or reply to the message. Skatteverket advises that you immediately delete the email or text message.

Another common scam is that you receive a text message claiming to be from Skatteverket, telling you that you owe them money and you need to log in to calculate the amount. The website you’re urged to log in via does not belong to Skatteverket. Don’t click the link.

The agency stresses that it never asks people for their banking details. The exception is that you may be asked for your bank account information if you log into Skatteverket’s website to declare your taxes, but that always first requires you to log into the site.

To receive your tax rebate, you need to inform Skatteverket of your bank account number. You do this not by clicking a link in an email or SMS, but by logging into their website using a digital ID, for example BankID, and submitting your details. Only do this on your own initiative. If someone calls you and asks you to log in with your BankID during the phone call, don’t do it. That’s another common scam.

Skatteverket will also never call you to ask for your bank account or credit card number.

It will be possible to declare your taxes from March 19th. You’ll receive any tax rebate you’re owed by mid-April or early June, depending on when you submit your tax return. These are the dates when fraudsters are likely to attempt the most scams.

Url copied to clipboard!