The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government’s proposal for an additional amending budget in response to high energy prices and the deterioration of the security policy situation in Sweden’s neighbourhood.
The amendments mean that Swedish companies will have greater opportunities to be granted a temporary deferment with payment of taxes and contributions. The proposal also covers deducted preliminary tax, employers’ contributions and value-added tax. In addition, it involves temporary economic support to households in southern Sweden that have gas as their source of energy, as a result of high gas prices.
Military equipment that the Swedish Armed Forces can do without for a limited period will be donated to Ukraine. The package includes anti-tank weapons, mine-clearance equipment, light anti-tank weapon Robot 57 and Combat Vehicle 90, at a maximum value of SEK 4.3 billion.
In total, the Government’s proposals mean that central government revenue is estimated to decrease by approximately SEK 16.2 billion, and central government expenditure is estimated to increase by approximately SEK 1.8 billion in 2023. Central government net lending will be impaired by approximately SEK 1.6 billion, and the central government borrowing requirement will increase by approximately SEK 18 billion in 2023. The deferment with payment of taxes and contributions means a shift in the time the payments are made, and does not affect net lending. This explains the difference between the borrowing requirement and net lending.
The legislative amendments will come into force on 13 February 2023.
The Government may submit two ordinary amending budgets per year. However, it may also submit additional amending budgets if it considers that there are special reasons to do so.