After the revelations that politicians had been given commuter housing they were not entitled to – or that they had paid too little tax on the benefit – the Norwegian Tax Agency launched a broad audit of both the government and the Storting. And in June the message came: 28 current and former Storting politicians, as well as 17 from the government apparatus, were notified of tax fraud. For some, it can amount to several hundred thousand kroner. Well-known politicians such as SV deputy leader Torgeir Knag Fylkesnes (SV), justice minister Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp), former minister Torbjørn Røe Isaksen (H) and culture minister Anette Trettebergstuen have all confirmed that they have received notice of additional tax demands. Several of them believe that the cause of the tax crash is incorrect guidance from the Storting or the Prime Minister’s office, or that the reporting from the institutions to the authorities has been incorrect. For some politicians, the commuter housing issues have had major consequences. KrF leader and Minister for Children and Families Kjell Ingolf Ropstad, President of the Storting Eva Kristin Hansen (Ap) and Labor and Inclusion Minister Hadia Tajik (Ap) have all resigned in the past year. – Took an extra round Director of Taxation Nina Schanke Funnemark emphasizes that it is important to treat the Storting and the government equally. TAX DIRECTOR: Nina Schanke Funnemark has investigated the Storting and the government. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB – When we deal with cases like this, we are concerned with – as in all other cases – that we determine the correct tax and duty, and that similar cases are treated equally, she tells news. The tax authorities carry out 13,000 checks every year. It is supposed to be equal treatment, but the tax director admits that they made an additional assessment before launching this particular control. – These are cases that receive particularly high attention, and they are cases that are aimed at legislative and executive bodies, so it is clear that we had an extra round before we decided to carry out an inspection, says Funnemark. – But at the bottom of all assessments is equal treatment. Millions bill When individual politicians have paid too little tax, the Storting and the Prime Minister’s office have also not paid in what they should in employer’s tax. So today they are bringing their answers to the Tax Agency. Then it will be clear whether they oppose or accept the demands from the authorities. – As in all matters, we are anxious to see whether those we have notified agree with our assessments. But at the same time, it is also the case that when we get the answers, we will go through them thoroughly and look at the arguments in them, says Funnemark. The Norwegian Tax Agency believes that the Storting owes more than NOK 1.3 million in employer’s tax. The Director of Taxation believes that the control that she has now spearheaded is very unusual. – I do not have a complete overview of what all the world’s tax administrations have done. But as far as I know, this is the only case of similar control by parliament and government. Tells the Storting to leave the ball dead There is tension about how the Storting and the Prime Minister’s office will deal with the tax authorities’ demands. TRUST: Rødt leader Bjørnar Moxnes believes the Storting must accept the Tax Agency’s assessments. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Rødt leader Bjørnar Moxnes believes, however, that the Storting should follow the Tax Agency’s assessments. – It is important to restore trust in the Storting that people feel that there is equality before the law. That has been our position all along. The Storting must pass laws, not review the relevant authorities’ application of them, he told NTB last week. – We believe the Storting’s response should be that we follow the tax authorities’ assessment, and that the Storting does not take an activist role when it comes to legal interpretation, said the Rødt leader. The Prime Minister’s office has also received notice of claims relating to employer’s tax. – We will return by 29 August, which is the deadline given by the tax authorities. And of course there will be transparency about what we do, said Storting President Masud Gharahkhani (Ap) to NTB before the weekend.
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Today the Storting and the government must answer about taxes – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
