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tax return to Norway
Inger Lise Løvneseth - Lawyer & Partner2. March 2023 3 min read

A brief guide to your Norwegian tax return

Anyone who receives income from work in Norway or on the Norwegian continental shelf, is required to file a Norwegian tax return (skattemelding).

Note: If you are taxed under the PAYE scheme you are exempted from filing a tax return. Find out more about the PAYE scheme here: PAYE tax scheme in Norway

The Norwegian tax year

The Norwegian tax year coincides with the calendar year, and the tax return must be submitted by 30 April in the year after the income was received. This means that if you work in Norway this year, then you will likely need to file a tax return by 30 April next year.

Also read: All you need to know about the Norwegian tax report system – a-melding

What is a Norwegian tax return?

A Norwegian tax return (skattemelding), is a report a tax payer files with Norwegian tax authorities. It provides information on wealth, income, deductions and other information relevant to determine the tax.     

You, as a taxpayer, are responsible to file a complete and correct tax return, to the Norwegian tax authorities, by the deadline. If you have been registered correctly in Norway and your employer has filed accurate information, the Norwegian tax authorities will send you a pre-completed tax return.

Also read: 5 tax deductions to claim in your Norwegian tax return

Understand the rules of Norwegian Tax Return

Download guide and get an overview to understand the Norwegian tax system and the rules of Tax Return in Norway.

The pre-completed tax return

The pre-completed tax return will specify all the information the Norwegian tax authorities have received from your employer, and other reporting liable entities. You will need to check and potentially amend the pre-completed tax return. Foreign workers should pay extra attention to information that might be missing from the pre-completed tax return.

Also read: Check and correct your self-assessment

Many foreign workers will need to add taxable expenses and deductions that they are entitled to. Thus, we recommend that you take a closer look at the pre-completed tax return and seek guidance if you are uncertain about the reporting.  

Check these items in your Norwegian tax return

The Norwegian tax system is constantly changing. It is easy to make mistakes, that may later cost you a considerable amount of money. The most common deductions and situations that may lead to miscalculation of your Norwegian taxes are: 


Electronic assessment of the income tax

Norwegian tax authorities aim towards making the tax system fully electronic. In recent years, there has been a shift from personal service and management to electronic crosschecking of tax returns. Self assessment has been introduced and the tax payer has the responsibility of determine the correct payable tax. Any discrepancies between information in your tax return and information held by the tax authorities, may be detected by electronic crosschecks.

Such discrepancies may cause the tax authorities to request additional information. In some cases, for filing incorrect or insufficient information, tax authorities may even send the tax payer an advance notification of a possible fine.

Also read: Taxes in Norway - employee taxation

Understand the rules of Norwegian Tax Return

Download guide and get an overview to understand the Norwegian tax system and the rules of Tax Return in Norway.

 

You can also visit our website to find out how we can assist with your tax return to Norway.

This article was first published 8 March 2017, updated March 2023.

 

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Inger Lise Løvneseth - Lawyer & Partner

Inger Lise works with international tax law and accounting. She is a qualified accountant and authorized legal practitioner. Her specialty is international personal taxation and tax for foreign and international companies. She has solid expertise in advising Norwegian and foreign companies about the movement of labour across borders, VAT representation and optimization of international tax matters for individuals and companies. Inger Lise has worked with international taxation since 1995, including for the Central Office for Foreign Affairs. Inger Lise was general manager and senior tax consultant in Advanced Solutions from June 2005 and until she joined Magnus Legal in January 2015. In 2021 Inger Lise was successfully chosen as International Tax Law award winner in Norway, by IAE group (International Advisory Experts).

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