No expansion of RUT tax relief in government’s supplementary budget

The Swedish government’s amending budget for 2016 that was presented on Thursday contains no tax hikes. The SEK 11billion increase in expected expenditure will be funded essentially through cost savings and borrowing.

An expansion of RUT tax relief covering cleaning, maintenance and laundry services to also include IT services in the home, as well as removal and gardening services, was not included in this budget. However, the media has previously reported that an agreement on such measures exists. It remains to be seen whether the government will reconsider these proposals at a later stage in connection with other job-creating measures.

Comment

In the supplementary budget, civil society receives SEK 200 million in assistance. However, in its regular autumn budget the government proposed that tax relief for private individuals’ contributions to qualified non-profit organisations be abolished from year-end.