Conditions to Receive Tax Refund Before Easter

Individuals aiming to receive their tax refunds before Easter should be aware of specific conditions set by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). If these requirements are not met, refunds may be delayed until early June.

The Tax Agency has streamlined the declaration process, pre-filling much of the information to expedite approvals and the subsequent release of funds. To receive a tax refund in early April, taxpayers must approve their declarations by midnight on April 2, provided they have overpaid their taxes.

For those who owe back taxes, it is advisable to consider the timing of payments. By approving the declaration by April 2, individuals can expect their final tax assessment between April 7 and April 11. Payments for back taxes must be made within 90 days, and funds should be available in the tax account by July 14.

Taxpayers seeking an extended deadline until September 12 can delay the approval of their declarations until after April 3, but not later than May 2. This option results in receiving the final tax assessment in early June, with the back taxes due by September 12. However, it is important to note that interest will accrue on any owed amount under 30,000 kronor starting May 5, at an annual rate of 2.5%, calculated daily.

In recent years, the Tax Agency has allowed for earlier tax refunds, contingent upon meeting specific criteria. The key requirements include:

• Deadline for Approval: Taxpayers must approve their declarations by April 2, with multiple submission options available, including the Tax Agency's website, mobile app, phone, or SMS (excluding paper declarations).
• No Amendments: Any changes made to the declaration disqualify the taxpayer from receiving a refund in April. Common amendments include deductions for travel, temporary work, dual residency, and rental income.
• Account Registration: To facilitate refunds, taxpayers must register a bank account number, which can be done during the e-service declaration process or via the Tax Agency's online portal. It typically takes a few banking days for the account registration to process, after which a payment request can be made.

Taxpayers who register their accounts within three weeks of receiving the final tax assessment will also benefit from automatic refunds.

Previously, a digital mailbox was required to qualify for early tax refunds, which significantly increased the number of digital mailboxes. Currently, this requirement has been lifted, making early refunds accessible without a digital mailbox.

• March 17 - April 15: Paper tax declarations mailed to those without a digital mailbox.
• April 2: Final day for declaration approval to receive tax refunds in April.
• April 7 - April 11: Final tax assessments issued for those who approved by April 2.
• April 8 - April 11: First round of tax refunds.
• May 2: Last day to file a declaration.
• May 5: Deadline for payment of back taxes under 30,000 kronor to avoid interest charges.
• June 2 - June 6: Final tax assessments for those who declared by May 2.
• June 3 - June 5: Second round of tax refunds.
• July 14: Deadline for payment of back taxes for those who declared by April 2.
• September 12: Deadline for most to settle back taxes.