Tax statistics for companies

Limited companies

Are enterprises whose owners have limited responsibility for the companies' liabilities. The owners/shareholders must also be obliged to file a tax return, see chapter 8 of the Tax Administration Act. The statistics include mainly limited companies, but associations, co-operatives, branches of foreign companies, institutions, mutual funds, building co-operatives, savings banks etc. are covered too. They all pay tax in arrears.

Taxpayers

Taxpayers are companies with assessed taxes or tax deductions, and which make a profit.

Oil extraction companies

Companies licensed to participate in the extraction and pipeline transport of oil and gas. They are taxed pursuant to the Petroleum Taxation Act.

Foreign oil service companies

Are companies that are not registered in Norway and are engaged in various forms of maintenance and repair supporting Norwegian oil extraction companies.

Power companies

Include all non-personal taxpayers taxed by the special tax rules for power companies in accordance with chapter 18 of the Taxation Act.

Power plant

Power plant is a unit that produces electric power. If a power company has more than one hydroelectric power plant in a municipality, will all be treated as one hydroelectric power plant.

Shipping companies

Include all limited companies that are taxed by the special rules set out in sections 8-10 to 8-20 of the Taxation Act.

Financial companies

Include companies liable to financial activity tax on salary according to section 23-2a of the National Insurance Act, and have financial activity tax on surpluses at a tax rate decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget).

Land based activities

Land based activities are companies assessed by the ordinary tax rules, including shipping companies and financial companies that are taxed according to ordinary rules, as well as companies that are covered by the Svalbard Tax Act.

Ordinary income

Ordinary income is taxable income less tax deductions, and consists of positive and negative ordinary income. Profit or positive ordinary income forms the basis of calculating assessed income tax, see taxable income.

Correction income

Consists of the portion of untaxed equity that the company has paid as dividends or given as a group contribution. Correction income ended in 2011.

Taxable income

Companies pay tax on profits, positive ordinary income, also called taxable income. This forms the basis for calculating income tax. It also included correction income until 2011. As from 2004, tax exemptions have been introduced for incomes from shares and other assets, among others, share dividends, according to section 2-38 of the Taxation Act. Those incomes are therefore not included in taxable income, see section 2-38 of the Taxation Act.

Taxable income for shipping companies:

Shipping companies are exempted from ordinary income tax, however the income is taxed through the distribution of dividends to shareholders. In addition, the company must pay taxes on positive net financial income and other taxable income.

Taxable wealth

The value of the company's assets reduced by debt, as of the first of January in the assessment year.

Net wealth

Positive wealth after tax deductions, forms the basis of calculating taxable wealth.

Ground rent income

Ground rent income forms the basis of calculating tax on ground rent income, see section 18-3 of the Taxation Act.

Income tax

Assessed to the state calculated on the basis of positive ordinary income and tax rate decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget). All types of companies are subject to income tax. Income tax also included assessed tax on correction income until 2011.

Income tax for financial companies:

Income tax is calculated on the basis of positive ordinary income. The tax rate decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) is added to the tax rate of ordinary income.

Wealth tax

Assessed to the state on the basis of taxable wealth and tax rate decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget). Certain groups of companies are exempt from wealth tax in accordance with section 2-36 part 1 of the Taxation Act.

Tonnage tax

Applies to shipping companies according to section 8-16 of the Taxation Act.

Special tax

Oil extraction companies are liable to special tax, a ground rent tax, see section 5 of the Petroleum Taxation Act.

Tax on ground rent income

Tax on ground rent income is a rent fee for the use of natural resources.

Tax on ground rent income for power companies is calculated on the basis of ground rent income and the tax rate decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget), see section 18-3 of the Taxation Act.

Oil extraction companies are liable to tax ground rent, see Special tax.

Tax on natural resources

Applies to power companies, and it is assessed by municipalities and counties, see section 18-3 of the Taxation Act.

Financial activity tax on salary

Financial companies are liable to financial activity tax assessed on the basis of the enterprise's total salary expenses and the tax rate decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget).

Assessed taxes

Assessed taxes is the tax paid to the state, and is calculated by the Norwegian Tax Administration on the basis of the tax for businesses submitted by the company and the tax rate decided by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget).

Tax deduction for received dividends

A tax deduction relating to the provisions covering the taxation of share dividends. The purpose of the tax deduction is to prevent double taxation of paid share dividends. Unused tax deduction can be carried forward for 10 years. From and including the income year of 2004, income from share dividends is no longer liable to taxation, according to section 2-38 of the Taxation Act, tax deductions for received dividends are not applicable.

Tax deduction for tax paid to foreign country

A tax deduction that can be claimed, according to the rules in sections 16-20 and 16-30 of the Taxation Act.

Paid back tax

For the income year of 2008 and 2009, companies with deficit are repaid the taxes assessed the two preceding years. In 2008, the maximum amount repaid was NOK 20 millions.

Tax deduction for expenses on research and development

A deduction for expenses on research and development projects according to section 16-40 of the Taxation Act. If the calculated deduction exceeds the total assessed taxes, the excess shall be paid to the company.

Tax deduction for natural resource tax

Companies may claim tax deduction for tax on natural resources from the income tax assessed by the Norwegian Tax Administration. If the tax on natural resources exceeds the income tax for the income year, the excess may be carried forward as a tax deduction in later years.

Paid tax value of losses

Due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, companies with deficit for 2020 can carry back tax assessed in 2018 and 2019, see section 16-60 to 16-64 of the Taxation Act.

Paid exploration expenses

The tax value of expenses incurred in exploration of petroleum deposits, which the state may pay the company according to the section 3 C Part 4 and 5 of the Petroleum Taxation Act. The rule is no longer valid from and including the income year of 2022.

Paid tax value of losses and unused uplift

As a result of temporary changes in the Petroleum Taxation Act in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, oil extraction companies could request to be paid the tax value of the deficit and unused uplift for the 2020 and 2021 income years, as well as negative instalment tax.

Paid tax value of the deficit carried forward from preceding years

As a transitional rule, due to the shift of special tax into a cash flow tax, companies will receive payment of tax value of their deficit carried forward from 2002-2019 in connection with the tax assessment for 2022.

Paid tax value of unused uplift carried forward from preceding years

As a transitional rule, due to the shift of special tax into a cash flow tax, companies will receive payment of tax value of their unused uplift carried forward from 2002-2019 in connection with the tax assessment for 2022.

Paid tax value of special tax of deficit for the current year

As a result of the shift of special tax into a cash flow tax, companies will receive payment of the special tax value of deficit in connection with the tax assessment.

Total assessed taxes

Total assessed taxes to the state are assessed taxes less deductions.

The industrial classification is based on the EU-standard of NACE Rev. 2.

A company with businesses in several industries is assigned in its entirety to the industry in which the business contributes the most to its overall added value participates.

Classification of county follow the standard for counties.

Name: Tax statistics for companies
Topic: Establishments, enterprises and accounts

Division for Accounting Statistics and Business Register

National level and the Norwegian continental shelf.

Annual

Data are obtained after ordinary assessment, i.e. 10 months following the fiscal year covered. The statistics are published 2 months later.

Not relevant

Collected and revised data are stored securely by Statistics Norway in compliance with applicable legislation on data processing.

Statistics Norway can grant access to the source data (de-identified or anonymised microdata) on which the statistics are based, for researchers and public authorities for the purposes of preparing statistical results and analyses. Access can be granted upon application and subject to conditions. Refer to the details about this at Access to data from Statistics Norway.

The purpose of the statistics is to present taxable income and taxable assets, assessed taxes and tax deductions for companies as a whole and companies broken down by industry.

Statistics Norway has compiled annual statistics on municipal tax assessment since 1884, and the central government tax assessment since 1936. The statistics have been presented in the present form annually since 1976. Considerable changes were made in tax rules in connection with the 1992 tax reforms. Changes in tax rules must be taken into consideration when the statistics on assessed taxes are compared over time. Several tax regulations for non-personal taxpayers have also been changed and implemented. The regulations on site-specific taxation, among other things, were abolished as from the income year 1998.

The statistics for oil companies present the tax basis (income), income and tax allowances and the number of companies engaged in the extraction and pipeline transport of oil and gas. In addition, the statistics show figures for foreign companies engaged in maintenance, repair and various activities in support of the Norwegian production companies on the shelf. The companies covered by the statistics are all taxed pursuant to the Petroleum Taxation Act, which covers the taxation of sub-sea petroleum deposits and related activities, and pipeline transport of extracted petroleum. The statistics have been published annually since 1985.

The purpose of the tax statistics for electric power stations is to show the extent to which the rules are applied, and their effect. Statistics Norway has prepared Tax Statistics for Electric Power Stations annually since the fiscal year 1997, when the new rules for the taxation of electric power stations were introduced, replacing the earlier provisions covering percentage income and property tax for electric utilities.

The purpose of tax statistics for shipping companies is to show to what extent the rules for shipping companies are used and the effect of the special rules. The statistics show the number of companies covered by the scheme, the tax base and assessed taxes. The tax statistics for shipping companies was established as of income year 1996, when special tax rules for shipping companies were introduced. The regime is voluntary but special demands have been made of companies to be taxed according to the special rules. Consequently, not all shipping companies are taxed by these rules. Shipping companies not taxed under the special rules are taxed as an ordinary limited company, and are included in Tax statistics for companies. The rules can be found in sections 8-10 to 8-19 of the Taxation Act.

In 2007, tax statistics for non-personal tax payers, tax statistics for electric power companies, tax statistics for petroleum companies and tax statistics for shipping companies were combined into one statistics, Tax statistics for companies.

Major users are the Ministry of Finance, internal and external research community, and the media. The statistics are used to elucidate the consequences of changes in taxation rules and the effects of tax revenues. Additionally, the statistics are used in general tax research. The results from the statistics are used in the National accounts and the National budget.

No external users have access to statistics before they are released at 8 a.m. on ssb.no after at least three months’ advance notice in the release calendar. This is one of the most important principles in Statistics Norway for ensuring the equal treatment of users.

Some of the figures from the Tax Statistics for companies are included in Income and deductions for companies.

The enterprises covered by the statistics Accounting statistics for non-financial limited companies are also covered by Tax Statistics for companies. However, the accounts statistics include the income statement and balance sheet, which are not included in the Tax statistics.

The statistics are developed, produced and disseminated pursuant to Act no. 32 of 21 June 2019 relating to official statistics and Statistics Norway (the Statistics Act).

Not relevant

The statistics cover all non-personal taxpayers. To be regarded as a non-personal taxpayer, the owners of the company (or institution, association etc.) must have limited responsibility for its liabilities. The owners/shareholders must also be obliged to file a tax return, see chapter 4 of the Tax Administration Act.

The tax statistics are based on information from the Norwegian Tax Administration's Register of Non-Personal Taxpayers after the ordinary assessment. From and including the income year of 2022, the statistics are published by obtaining data delivered via API from the Norwegian Tax Administration's modernized tax settlement (SIRIUS). Once the data have been collected via API, checked and corrected, they are linked to information about industry, among other things, from Statistics Norway's Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises.

Information about the financial activity tax on salary is gathered from the a-ordning.

The tax statistics for companies is a total census.

Data collection

Statistics Norway obtains information about companies from the Norwegian Tax Administration after the taxes have been calculated. In principle, the data are obtained before any complaints and changes are made. Such cases can take a long time to resolve, and for actuality reasons, the data are obtained after ordinary assessment. The data are collected in November the year following the income year covered.

Information about the financial activity tax on salary is gathered from the a-ordning.

Editing

Editing is defined here as checking, examining and amending data.

The Norwegian Tax Administration and Statistics Norway carry out a number of mechanical and manual checks to ensure that the information is correctly recorded. The Norwegian Tax Administration register the basis for tax assessment (estimates) for the individual unit, based on the tax return. Taxes are subsequently computed electronically, except in particularly complicated cases, where computation is done manually.

Statistics Norway's revision ensures that there is correspondence between the assessable values and the assessed taxes, and that the information is consistent with other available statistics.

Estimations

The statistics are estimated by counting all units with a certain characteristic, e.g. the number of taxpayers, and by adding up a certain characteristic for all units in the statistics, e.g. income tax.

Not relevant

Employees of Statistics Norway have a duty of confidentiality.

Statistics Norway does not publish figures if there is a risk of the respondent’s contribution being identified. This means that, as a general rule, figures are not published if fewer than three units form the basis of a cell in a table or if the contribution of one or two respondents constitutes a very large part of the cell total.

Statistics Norway can make exceptions to the general rule if deemed necessary to meet the requirements of the EEA agreement, if the respondent is a public authority, if the respondent has consented to this, or when the information disclosed is openly accessible to the public.

More information can be found on Statistics Norway’s website under Methods in official statistics, in the ‘Confidentiality’ section.

To ensure confidentiality, the suppression method is used in these statistics.

The total figures in the statistics are comparable back to 1976. In connection with the 1992 Tax Reform, significant changes were made in taxation rules. Other changes, in addition the Tax Reform, have also been made. For example, new rules for shipping companies were introduced in 1996. In 1997, new rules were introduced for the taxation of electric power stations. And in 1998, the provisions regarding site-specific taxation were abolished. The changes that the tax system has undergone over the years are reflected in the tax data, and affect the continuity of the time series. The changes in taxation rules must therefore be taken into consideration when the data are compared over time. When comparing the figures from various years, changes in industrial rankings and structural changes in different industries can also affect the figures.

The introduction of a new Tax Administration Act from the income year 2017 has led to a change in the Register of Non-Personal Taxpayers treatment of tax on natural resources. Tax on natural resources is paid to the municipalities and counties where the power plant is located, however from the income year 2017, it is entered to the company’s accounting municipality in the Register of Non-Personal Taxpayers. This has led to a significant decrease in the number of observations.

As from 2017, companies that pay financial tax are identified as companies within a specific tax regime and are not considered land based companies.

As from 2018, foreign oil service companies are included in land based activities and are not considered oil companies.

When filling in the tax forms, the taxpayer can make errors. Errors can also occur when the data are being registered and processed at the Norwegian Tax Administration and Statistics Norway. Amounts that are not used in the assessment of taxes, like negative income (losses), are, compared with tax bases, encumbered with greater uncertainty. The examination of the data is mainly concentrated on significant errors having a large impact on the total amounts. As a result, less significant errors, which have no impact on the total amounts, may not be corrected.

The Norwegian Tax Administration's Register of Non-Personal Taxpayers is continually updated. Due to complaints and requests for changes lodged with The Norwegian Tax Administration after ordinary assessment, changes will occur in the Register of Non-Personal Taxpayers after Statistics Norway has obtained it. Such changes are not taken into consideration when the tax statistics are published.

Organisation number is used as the key when information form the Statistics Norway's Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises or the a-ordning is being linked. Therefore, if taxpayers are registered with the wrong organization number, the information got from the Statistics Norway's Central Register of Establishments and Enterprises will not be correct.

Not relevant