Inkomståret

Inkomståret, or the income year, is the period used to determine the income that is subject to tax. In Sweden, the term generally refers to the year during which income is earned and the corresponding tax is calculated.

For individuals, inkomståret typically coincides with the calendar year, meaning 1 January to 31 December. Revenues such as wages, salaries, pensions, capital income, and other earnings generated within that year are attributed to that income year for tax purposes. For other taxpayers, such as businesses and organizations, the income year may follow their accounting period and can differ from the calendar year.

The inkomståret forms the basis for the annual income declaration (Inkomstdeklarationen) and the subsequent tax assessment. Deductions, credits, and taxes are calculated with reference to the income earned during that year. The tax authority (Skatteverket) reviews the declared income for the inkomståret and issues a tax decision for that year. If adjustments are needed, corrections are made within the same framework of the inkomståret.

If income is earned from abroad, it is generally attributed to the inkomståret in which the income was earned, and foreign tax credits or reliefs are determined accordingly.

Distinctions to note: the term inkomståret is commonly used for individuals and households. For corporate taxpayers, the corresponding term is often beskattningsår (tax year), which may differ from the calendar year in some cases. Inkomståret remains a central reference point for reporting and calculating Swedish income taxes.