The sending of the tax notice created a heavy load on both the Swedish Tax Agency’s and Kivra’s websites during the Monday morning. After a year of high interest rates and rising prices, there is great interest in finding out whether you get your money back – or owe money to the state.
Many go over their tax return in the hope of seeing a big refund. But according to Felicia Schön, private economist at Avanza, it is not optimal.
– I think there are many people who see it as an extra addition to the coffers, even though the most rational thing is not to do it, she says and continues:
– You shouldn’t be afraid of getting a few hundreds or thousands of back taxes instead. Then somewhere you have borrowed money for free from the state. If you get a tax refund, you have lent money to the state for free, which you could have had right from the start, she says.
Can mean several thousand extra every month
A tax refund means that you paid too much tax each month during the past year. Money that can come in handy in everyday life.
– There are many, not least now, who are having a tough time financially. Who may need the money to make everyday life go together a little more smoothly. Then it is very beneficial to be able to get a few thousand extra every month instead of getting a large lump sum once a year.
According to Felicia Schön, in most cases it is best to strive for the zero point, that way you optimize your salary in the best way. To find out, you can apply for an adjustment on the Tax Agency’s website.
Resisting the temptation of the tax refund lump sum can make a big difference every month. A loan of two million kroner with an interest rate of 4.8 percent means annual interest costs of approximately kroner 96,000.
– With a 30 percent interest deduction, it is between 28,000 and 29,000 that you get back on the declaration. If you instead adjust it monthly, it will be approximately SEK 2,500 extra every month, says Felicia Schön.
Tight budget
She understands that you can be happy about the “supplement” that the tax refund provides and that many people want to hear the news right away.
– I actually just went in myself and checked my own declaration.
But she believes that the calculation example may be worth having with you and urges you to review your tax payment.
– Just to get an idea of how much money it can actually be. And it can make a big difference for those on a tight budget.
Now that you’ve checked your tax return – have you lived what you learned?
– Unfortunately, I sold an apartment at a loss last year, so I will have to make a deduction on that, which will mean that I will get a lot of tax back. It’s something that happens, but usually I try to make sure it’s reasonably even, says Felicia Schön.