The Norwegian Tax Administration - StatRes (discontinued), 2008-2009

In 2009 the Tax Administration's employees carried out 5 618 man-years, which was an increase of 327 man-years or 6 per cent compared with 2008. In StatRes the number of man-years is calculated as the sum of the agreed working hours converted to full-time jobs, excluding doctor-certified absence and parental leave.

4.3 million tax settlements, and 641 billion in tax

An important responsibility for the Tax Administration is to ensure that taxes are assessed and collected correctly. In 2009 the Tax Administration therefore carried out close to 4.3 million tax settlements. These were tax settlements that applied for the fiscal year 2008. More than 4 million of the tax settlements concerned the tax assessments of individuals, while nearly 230 000 concerned the tax assessments of companies. The numbers were slightly higher than for the previous year. As a result of the assessments carried out, the Tax Administration corrected the ordinary income for individuals with almost NOK 7 billion. Of this amount NOK 6.2 billion was in disfavour of the individuals and NOK 700 million in favour. The corresponding figure for the companies was NOK 3.6 billion in corrections, of which NOK 3.4 billion was in disfavour and NOK 200 million in favour.

In total the Tax Administration assessed NOK 641 billion in taxes in 2009. This was tax that applied for the fiscal year 2008. Of this amount NOK 313 billion could be attributed to the tax assessments of companies and NOK 328 billion to the assessments of individuals.

In addition to the taxation of individuals and companies, the Tax Administration is also responsible for inheritance tax and value added tax (VAT) on sales. In 2009, the tax offices therefore processed just under 50 000 inheritance and gift cases and nearly 1.6 million VAT returns.

1.7 million records handled by the National Population Register

Another important responsibility for the Tax Administration is to maintain an updated population register. During 2009, the administration therefore processed over 1.7 million records in the National Population Register. This was almost 250 000 more than the previous year, or an increase of 17 per cent. Most records concerned migration, which accounted for 687 000 records. For migrations within the country, over 71 per cent of the records were processed within four days.

Beyond migrations, the administration processed 125 000 names and name changes, 103 000 changes of marital status, 64 000 births and 44 000 deaths. In addition, more than 700 000 other records which include change of address without moving, change of residence permits, change of postal address and more were processed.

Increased use of electronic services

In addition to traditional services such as tax assessments and population registration, the Tax Administration has during the past few years offered an increasing number of electronic services to simplify life for both the administration itself and the users. Among other things, all individuals can currently submit their tax returns electronically or accept the pre-completed tax return. In 2009, 58 per cent of wage earners and pensioners chose to accept the pre-completed tax return without making changes, and thus did not need to submit their tax returns to the Tax Administration. Of those who chose to submit the tax return to the administration, 57 per cent of wage earners and pensioners chose to submit the tax return electronically. The proportion of self-employed persons and companies that submitted their tax returns electronically, were respectively 95 and 87 per cent.

In addition to electronic delivery of tax returns, there were over 56 per cent who used the electronic migration notification. And among self-employed persons and companies, 88 per cent chose to submit the VAT return electronically. This was an increase of nearly 5 per cent compared with 2008.