For international entrepreneurs operating in Sweden, navigating the tax landscape has often meant dealing with a maze of reference numbers, refund delays, and administrative overhead. But change is on the horizon. In line with the Swedish Government’s policy program to streamline tax collection and enhance predictability, the Tax Administration and Ministry of Finance are rolling out a series of improvements to the business tax payment process set to take effect in late 2025.

These changes are designed to reduce friction, increase transparency, and save time for companies, accounting firms, and the Tax Administration itself. Whether you’re running a Swedish AB or managing cross-border operations, here’s what you need to know.

One reference number for all business tax payments

Starting November 2025, business corporations will benefit from a simplified payment system that uses a single reference number for all tax categories. Previously, each type of tax, corporate income tax, VAT, employer contributions, required its own unique bank reference number. This often led to errors, mismatches, and unnecessary administrative work.

With the new system, companies will use one unified string of numbers when making payments. The Tax Administration will automatically allocate the funds to outstanding taxes in chronological order, from the earliest due date onward. This eliminates the need to manually select the correct reference number and provides clearer visibility into how payments are applied.

It’s important to note that this streamlined reference system is exclusive to incorporated businesses. Individual taxpayers, sole proprietors, and operators in agriculture or forestry will continue using separate references for each tax type.

Simplified handling of self-assessed taxes and refunds

Self-assessed taxes, such as VAT, employer contributions, and excise duties, are also undergoing a transformation. Under the current system, payments made at the end of the month are automatically used to settle other tax liabilities. This will no longer be the case.

Instead, payments will remain in the taxpayer’s account until they are either applied to future self-assessed taxes or refunded upon request. While early payments will no longer accrue interest, the Tax Administration will continue to apply credit interest to refunds as usual.

Refunds themselves are becoming more efficient. Taxpayers will no longer be able to ask the Tax Administration to temporarily retain refundable amounts. All eligible refunds will be transferred directly to the taxpayer’s bank account without delay. This change took effect on 19 August 2025, and it marks the end of the MyTax refund preference feature.

Additionally, refundable balances will now be used to cover all tax liabilities and not just self-assessed taxes. This broader application enhances flexibility and reduces the risk of overdue payments.

Greater transparency in refund allocation

Another key improvement is the introduction of a chronological system for allocating payments and refunds. Under current rules, a refund tied to one tax type cannot be used to offset a different tax due around the same time. This often forces taxpayers to pay out-of-pocket despite having a refund pending.

The new system prioritizes the date of payment rather than the type of tax. This means that any incoming payment will be applied to outstanding taxes based on when the funds were received, improving fairness and predictability.

Monthly summaries go digital

In a move toward sustainability and digital efficiency, the Tax Administration will discontinue paper-based monthly summaries. More than 1.2 million printed summaries are currently sent each year to businesses and agricultural operators. Going forward, all summaries will be available exclusively through MyTax, Sweden’s secure online tax portal.

This shift not only reduces environmental impact but also ensures faster access to up-to-date tax information for corporations and self-employed entrepreneurs.

Key dates to remember

• 19 August 2025: Refund preferences in MyTax are removed. Refunds are transferred immediately.
• November 2025: All changes to payment and refund processes, including the single reference number system, will be implemented.

Final thoughts for international entrepreneurs

These reforms represent a significant step forward in making Sweden’s tax system more business-friendly. By reducing complexity, improving transparency, and embracing digital solutions, the Swedish Tax Administration is helping companies focus more on growth and less on bureaucracy.

If you’re an international entrepreneur or managing a Swedish subsidiary, now is the time to prepare. Review your payment workflows, update your accounting systems, and ensure your team is ready for the transition.

At 1Office Sweden, we’re here to guide you through every step: from tax registration to compliance and beyond.