Tax statistics. Shipping companies, 2002

The statistics cover shipping companies assessed after the special rules for joint stock shipping companies. Tonnage tax was NOK 89 million in 2002, or 47 million less than the previous year. Almost the entire decline in assessed tonnage tax is due to a decrease of 30 per cent in the rates for calculating the tonnage tax.

Taxable income

Total taxable income decreased by NOK 44 million to 829 million. Joint-stock shipping companies covered by the regime are taxable on positive net financial income, dividend income and other taxable income. In 2002 there were some changes in the calculation of positive net financial income, which gave a relief in the regime taxation.

Taxes and deductions

Community tax for joint-stock shipping companies was NOK 232 million - a decrease of 12 million compared to 2001. Total assessed tax before deductions in taxes was NOK 321 million, or 60 million less than the year before. Deductions in taxes were NOK 9 million, a decline of 7 million compared to 2001.

Number of companies

704 companies followed the special rules in 2002. Of these, 475 were joint stock companies and 229 participant-taxed companies. This statistics only includes income and taxes for joint-stock companies as each participant in the participant-taxed companies is taxed. 25 new companies entered the voluntary special tax regime in 2002, while 87 companies have followed this regime since it was established in 1996. 10 joint-stock shipping companies left the regime in 2002, after following it since the beginning.

Tables:

• Table 1 Number of joint-stock companies and participant taxed companies assessed according to sections 8-10 to 8-19 of the Taxation Act. 1997-2002
• Table 2 Taxable income and assessed taxes for joint-stock shipping companies. 2000-2002. NOK million