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TAXES

TeliaSonera board member avoids taxes

Spotify founder Martin Lorentzon, brought in to revitalize the profile of bribery-accused Swedish telecom giant TeliaSonera, has avoided millions in taxes to Sweden through a shell company in Cyprus.

Published: 22 April 2013 09:58 CEST
TeliaSonera board member avoids taxes

Sveriges Radio (SR) reported that Lorentzon had avoided paying about 60 million kronor ($9.2 million) in taxes in Sweden through a company set up on Cyprus. He started the company Rosello in 2005 and according to local company registers, information on the firm is sparse.

Lorentzon recently acquired a chair on the board of the Swedish phone company TeliaSonera. He did not want to personally comment on the new information but his lawyer, Tommy Lundqvist, told SR that the company had been set up for business reasons.

After allegations regarding bribery in Uzbekistan, TeliaSonera’s new board decided to put more focus on corporate social responsibility.

While Lorentzon is not suspected of any crime, avoiding domestic taxes when he has been appointed to a board meant to scrub clean the image of the state-owned TeliaSonera is a sensitive issue in the eyes of many observers.

Kristina Ekengren on the nominations committee told SR that she was already informed of Lorentzon’s business, but did not think it was reason enough to exclude him from the board.

“The government thinks you should contribute to Swedish society by paying taxes here, and I share the same opinion,” she said.

“Martin is unique with what he’s accomplished as an entrepreneur, by building two successful companies based on new technology. He’s hard to exceed and I think we should be proud of him in Sweden.”

TT/The Local/sh

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MONEY

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.

Published: 12 March 2024 13:40 CET
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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