On Wednesday, it became known that the Swedish Tax Agency has sent a decision on tax penalties to 38 politicians. The agency believes they should have taxed the benefit of free commuter accommodation. Among these, ten politicians have received a decision on additional tax. There is a penalty tax that can be given in cases where missing information has given tax advantages. In addition, the Storting and the Prime Minister’s Office (SMK) must pay increased employer’s tax. The former is also subject to a penalty tax. Due to strict confidentiality, the details of the Tax Agency’s decision are unknown to the public. In theory, the politicians can thus keep the tax issue hidden from the voters and their own party. This means that it is up to each individual politician to decide whether they want to make their case known. When the Storting published the 116-page long letter from the Tax Agency, tens of pages were hidden from the public: These have come forward with tax claims: news is aware that the following people have come forward with tax claims: Sveinung Rotevatn, deputy leader of the Liberal Party. He has confirmed that he also has to pay additional tax. Torbjørn Røe Isaksen, former Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in the Solberg government. He has confirmed that he also has to pay additional tax. Torgeir Knag Fylkesnes, deputy leader of SV Anette Trettebergstuen, Minister of Culture (Ap) Kjell Ingolf Ropstad, parliamentary representative for KrF Freddy André Øvstegård, parliamentary representative for SV Mona Fagerås, parliamentary representative for SV Stine Stamland, former deputy representative of FrP in the Storting Maria Alseth, deputy representative of FrP at Storting and former political advisor in the Solberg government Listhaug: – Be open and stand up Frp leader Sylvi Listhaug believes, however, that all politicians who have had tax claims against them should come forward. – Both out of consideration for her voters, but also out of consideration for her fellow representatives, she says to news. Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein / news As long as those concerned do not come forward, everyone in the Storting will be suspected, she fears. – Can trust in the Storting be restored without these politicians being open? – I believe that we must restore trust in any case. But it will make it easier if those who have received a tax claim are open about it, she says. Listhaug says she does not know how many Frp politicians are affected. But emphasizes that the call for transparency also goes to members in their own party. Støre: Up to each individual Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) tells news that it must be up to each individual to decide whether they want to come forward with their tax claims. – Why? It’s public money, right? – Yes, but I don’t want to … Someone has done it. I think that is very good. But there may also be some private reasons here that I don’t want to be overly certain about. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) believes that it must be up to each individual politician to assess whether they should come forward with a tax claim. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB – But doesn’t the public demand it? – Yes … But now it is at least clear what the tax authorities mean. The Storting must also consider whether they take it into account, or whether they wish to pursue the matter further. That is how it must be in the rule of law, says Støre. The Prime Minister emphasizes that the most important thing now is to get to the bottom of the matter, and ensure that there will be no doubt about the regulations going forward. The Conservative Party turns to transparency When the cases were still being processed by the Norwegian Tax Agency, the Norwegian Conservative Party’s deputy leader Henrik Asheim was clear about what he meant to news: – When the conclusion from the Norwegian Tax Agency is clear, I believe that all politicians who have been notified should show transparency, he said. But now there are other tones from the Right. Conservative parliamentary deputy leader Trond Helleland. Photo: Torstein Bøe / NTB In an e-mail to news, the party’s parliamentary deputy leader Trond Helleland writes that he understands that representatives make different assessments when it comes to transparency. – In my opinion, these are matters between the individual Storting representative and the Storting’s administration on the one hand and the Tax Agency on the other. Not between the Conservative Party and the media, he believes. Ap, Sp and SV: Up to the individual Also the Labor Party’s parliamentary leader, Rigmor Aasrud, believes that it must be up to the individual politician to decide whether they want to be open or not. – Transparency is good. But it must be up to the individual whether they want to make all or part of their case public, she writes in an SMS to news. Marit Arnstad, parliamentary leader of the Center Party, takes the same line. – I believe that it should be up to the individual, she says. The Center Party’s parliamentary leader Marit Arnstad, together with Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Sp). Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Three SV politicians have chosen to be open about their tax demands. According to the party, there are no more SV members on the list of politicians with tax claims. – Then the question of tax is a relationship between the Tax Administration and each individual representative, and I do not want to comment on how others handle these matters, says the party’s leader Audun Lysbakken. The Storting’s response still uncertain Formally, it is the presidency that decides how the Storting as an institution should deal with the decision from the Norwegian Tax Agency. But first the parties’ parliamentary leaders must be consulted. The meeting will take place next Sunday at 8 p.m. – This is a final decision from the Tax Agency. But I have just received it, so I haven’t had time to look at the details, Storting President Masud Gharahkhani (Ap) told news on Wednesday after the decision became known. Storting President Masud Gharahkhani (Ap). Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB The Storting can choose to appeal the decision to the Tax Appeal Board. In that case, the case will receive a new, independent assessment.
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Several politicians keep their own tax claims hidden – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
