Finland
Individual - Significant developments
Last reviewed - 22 January 2025There have been changes made to the deadlines in personal taxation for the year 2025. Previously, new tax withholding cards for the tax year came into force in February. Starting in 2025, the new tax withholding cards will be in effect from the beginning of January.
The income tax return filing deadlines for wage earners have been rescheduled. As of 2025, individuals will receive their pre-completed tax return in March, and the deadline for the return will be in April as opposed to previous years when it was in May.
Changes have been made to the ex officio deductions on earned income. The earned income deduction has been disbanded, and the effects will be compensated with adjustments to the work income deduction.
The household deduction will also change for tax year 2025, with adjustments to the maximum amount and credit threshold.
Highlights from 2026 tax legislation change proposals
Expatriate tax decrease and application also to Finnish citizens returning
It is proposed that the Tax-at-source tax for foreign key employees be reduced to 25 percent from 32 percent. The law would be applied to also to Finnish citizens returning to Finland for up to 24 months.
Tax reductions for earned income and pension income
The government proposal suggests that the highest marginal tax rates on earned income taxation would be reduced to around 52 percent. In addition, according to the proposal the additional tax rate assessed on pension income will be reduced from the current 5.85 percent to 4 percent. It is proposed that the income threshold beyond which the additional pension income tax must be paid will be increased from the current EUR 47,000 to EUR 57,000.
Tax year for additional purchase price (Earn out)
Under the proposed amendment to the Income Tax Act, capital gains from a conditional additional purchase price/earn out will be taxed in the year when the obligation to pay and the amount are determined. This provides clarity on which year's income the additional purchase price will be taxed for the taxpayer. The proposal also includes provisions for adjusting capital losses and specifies that capital gains are realized in the year the transfer agreement is executed.
Inheritance and gift taxation
The government proposal suggests that the minimum taxable amount in inheritance taxation be increased from 20,000 euros to 30,000 euros. The government proposal suggests that the minimum taxable amount in gift taxation be increased from 5,000 euros to 7,500 euros.
Tax audits
The Finnish Tax Administration's data collection capabilities are set to be enhanced. The Ministry of Finance has released a draft proposal for consultation that aims to strengthen the Tax Administration's right to process large data sets via third-party audits, focusing on combating the shadow economy. These audits would be guided by risk assessments without targeting specific individuals or entities. The consultation period ends on August 18, 2025, with changes expected to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Use of Tax Administration’s MyTax service to be increased
The draft government proposal suggests that tax decisions and other official documents could be delivered through the Tax Administration's electronic service, MyTax, whenever the taxpayer has utilized this service.