Köpeskillingen

Köpeskillingen is the purchase price agreed upon in a sale of property or other assets in Swedish practice. It is the monetary consideration the buyer promises to pay the seller, fixed in the sale contract (köpekontrakt) and subject to any adjustments described in the agreement. The term is most commonly used in real estate transactions but can apply to other asset sales as well.

In real estate deals, köpeskillingen is typically paid in two steps: a deposit or handpenning at signing and the remaining amount at the transfer of ownership (överlåtelse). The contract may provide for adjustments to the price for items such as prorated taxes, fees, or charges that accrue between signing and closing, or for post-closing adjustments related to condition or included fixtures.

Legally, when the köpeskillingen is fully paid and all conditions in the contract are met, ownership is transferred in accordance with the agreement. If the buyer breaches the contract, the seller may have remedies such as retaining the deposit or seeking damages; if the seller breaches, the buyer may be entitled to remedies or cancellation in some circumstances. The specific remedies depend on the contract terms and applicable law.

From a tax and accounting perspective, the seller reports gain as the köpeskillingen minus the asset’s basis (such as the original cost and improvements), while the buyer’s basis for the asset includes the köpeskillingen and related closing costs. Tax treatment varies by jurisdiction and asset type, so professional guidance is commonly sought. The concept is also relevant to the sale of businesses and other major assets, where price negotiations similarly define the agreed amount of consideration.