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TAXES

Swedes set to reap billions in tax refunds ahead of Midsummer

More than 20 billion kronor ($3.25 billion) in tax refunds are set to rain down on close to 3 million Swedes ahead of the Midsummer holiday, marking a new record due in large part to the popularity of filing tax forms electronically.

Swedes set to reap billions in tax refunds ahead of Midsummer

“Never before have so many gotten taxes back before Midsummer,” Hans Erik Axelsson of the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) said in a statement.

“The increase is primarily due to more and more Swedes filing declaring taxes electronically via the internet, text messages, smart phone apps, and the telephone.”

Roughly 4.5 million Swedes took advantage of electronically tax filing services for the 2010 tax year.

From Wednesday, Swedes expecting tax refunds can log into the Tax Agency’s website to check if their refunds have been processed.

Funds aren’t expected to be transferred to most people’s bank accounts until next week, however, and will continue until the June 24th Midsummer holiday.

However, some lucky taxpayers may already see a boost to their bank accounts by the end of the week.

Individuals with more complex tax filing requirements, such as business owners or those who have lived abroad, will have to wait until at least early August to receive their tax returns, with some having to wait until December.

“Several thousand taxpayers won’t get their money before Midsummer, even though they filed via the internet, text message, or telephone. That’s because they were selected for closer reviews which aren’t completed yet,” Axelsson said.

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How to avoid falling victim to tax scams in Sweden

Sweden's tax agency, Skatteverket, warns of an increase in scams when it's time for Swedish tax-payers to declare their taxes.

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.

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