A small change in the tax rules can have a big impact on the state coffers. Farming permits that were granted before 1998 have previously been “protected” when the tax is to be calculated. It was changed at New Year’s. The tax measure will thus give significantly increased wealth tax to farming companies that are not listed on the stock exchange. – The problem is that a very high value is placed on what is paper. This means that we as owners have to drain the companies of value in order to cover the tax, says Hanne Lundberg (27). She is assistant general manager and part owner of the family company Gratanglaks. Today she, and several other leaders in the farming industry, meet Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Sp). The hope is to bring about a turnaround following the Solberg government’s proposal, which was implemented this year. Hanne Lundberg is assistant general manager at Gratanglaks. The company has 45 workplaces along the coast. Photo: Børge Hoseth Thinks it’s an artificial price Slightly more than one in four farming licenses in Norway was acquired before 1998. – There is no one who can make it work with what is available as of today. Lundberg’s family themselves have to shelve plans for a fillet factory in their home village. She reckons they will have to take out an extra 20 million in dividends to pay tax. Alice Øksheim (30), general manager of Edelfarm in Rognan, is also worried about the future of her company. – What we are asking is that we pay property tax on the basis of the permits’ real value, and this is artificially inflated when the auction price is used as a basis. – Do you fear that there may be a hook on the door if this is not changed? – Yes, we are afraid of that. These will meet the finance minister Edelfarm, Nordland Gratanglaks, Troms Brødrene Karlsen, Troms Bjørøya, Trøndelang Steinvik, Vestland – But isn’t it right and reasonable that you pay tax on something you have received for free from society? – Yes, of course. We absolutely have to pay tax, but when the basis becomes so high, it becomes a matter of considerable sums for which the companies are drained. – Many people say that the breeders in Northern Norway have enough money, is that a pity for you? – There is a picture that is painted that there is super profit in the farming industry, but if you look at the family-owned companies along the coast, you see that the reality is something else. She adds: – It’s not our fault. But if we are to have vibrant coastal communities, secure jobs and value creation, then we must ensure business life along the coast has a framework that makes it possible to continue. Thinks the value is wrong The challenge for the family-owned companies is that the value of the permits has increased sharply, while at the same time the Støre government has increased the wealth tax. But the increase in value does not affect listed companies and foreign owners. – This means that we are hampered in the competition. We have to take out a larger part of the company. Money that we could have used to develop the company further and work towards the green transition, says Lundberg. What was previously the basis for tax on concessions was cost price. It is now proposed at auction price. – But isn’t it reasonable that you should pay tax on today’s value? – The auction value as it takes place today does not show today’s value, according to Lundberg. She explains it like this: If you go to a bar and buy yourself a drink, you pay more for that drink than you would pay to buy the whole bottle at the pole. Will not remove tax There are 1,098 awarded commercial licenses for the production of salmon fish in Norway. These permits are divided among 92 companies. Out of 92 companies, 16 have red numbers in the last two years. So 17.3 per cent, according to Kontali Analyse. The companies with red numbers are more or less exclusively small family-owned businesses, informs Sjømat Norge. Torgeir Knag Fylkesnes (SV), deputy leader of the party and of the industry committee at the Storting, sees that there is a danger to local ownership. Torgeir Knag Fylkesnes is both deputy leader of the Socialist Left Party and the business committee at the Storting. Photo: Torstein Bøe / Torstein Bøe – The new valuation is based on the auction price. And it’s probably not entirely precise. The auction prices are probably much higher than the real sales value. So here we have to make sure that we preserve local ownership, and that it does not become a driver for changing owners. But there is no question of removing the tax, according to Fylkesnes. – They must still pay tax, which I believe is fair and reasonable, on the values they have received from society. – Tax and duty changes will be presented in the national budget on 6 October. We do not comment on what may come up there, says communications manager Therese Riiser in the Ministry of Finance to news.
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Young breeders in crisis meeting with Vedum – fear tax shock – news Nordland
