Vähennysperuste

Vähennysperuste refers to the basis for deduction in Finnish taxation. It is a fundamental concept in understanding how taxable income is calculated. In essence, a vähennysperuste is an expense or cost that an individual or a company can subtract from their gross income to arrive at their net taxable income. These deductions are often allowed by law to reduce the tax burden on income that has already been taxed at source, or to encourage certain activities.

There are various types of vähennysperuste. For individuals, common examples include expenses related to employment, such as travel costs to work, or costs associated with earning rental income. In business taxation, deductions can include operating expenses like salaries, rent, raw materials, and depreciation of assets. The Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto) provides detailed guidelines on what qualifies as a deductible expense and the conditions that must be met.

The purpose of allowing deductions is to ensure fair taxation by only taxing the true economic profit or income. It acknowledges that certain expenditures are necessary for generating income and should not be subject to taxation themselves. The specific rules and limits for each vähennysperuste are stipulated in Finnish tax legislation, and taxpayers are responsible for maintaining documentation to support their claims for deductions. Understanding one's eligible vähennysperuste is crucial for accurate tax declaration and minimizing tax liability.