You’ll need to declare income from Solar Staff independently. As a freelancer, you’re not our employee, so Solar Staff doesn’t withhold or pay taxes on your behalf.
To declare your Solar Staff income properly in Sweden, you’ll need:
Tax resident status
Understanding of your tax obligations
Tax residency
As a resident, you’re taxed on worldwide income regardless of where it comes from. Non-residents only pay tax on Swedish-source income.
As an individual, you’re a tax resident of Sweden if any of these apply:
Your permanent stay/domicile is in Sweden (with one exception: Swedish citizens posted to diplomatic missions or consulates abroad)
You’re in the country for more than six months, whether continuously or with brief interruptions
You maintain substantial ties to Sweden and were previously a Swedish tax resident
Important! Sweden has a “five-year rule” (femårsregeln). If you’re a Swedish citizen or have lived in Sweden as a tax resident for at least ten years, you’ll remain a tax resident even after leaving – until you prove you no longer have substantial ties to the country. Five years after departure, the burden of proof shifts to the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), which must then show that substantial ties still exist.
If moving to Sweden for more than a year, you’ll need to notify the Tax Agency. The simplest way is through the Flytta till Sverige service, though you’ll need electronic identification (e-ID) to access it. If you don’t have one, you can download the Freja app to get started. Your other option: apply in person by filling out the online form, printing it, and booking an appointment at a Service Center (servicekontor) for identity verification (identitetskontroll). You’ll need to do this within 14 days of submitting your application (find offices here). Bring documents that prove your identity and right to live in Sweden. Once verification confirms you’re a resident (in the migration sense), you’ll automatically get a personal identity number (personnummer). Processing usually takes about six weeks, and the response arrives by mail to your home address.
Useful links: More on tax residency criteria; video guides for newcomers to Sweden; what to do when moving within Sweden / when leaving Sweden.
Sweden has double taxation agreements with a number of countries (see the full list). These agreements can override domestic rules on tax residency and other aspects of Swedish law.
Tax identification numbers
Personal identity number (personnummer) – your unique, lifelong number for just about everything: tax returns, government services (like getting a driver’s license), banking, and more. It’s 10 digits, with the first six showing your birth date in YYMMDD format – like this: 651207-3245. The Swedish Tax Agency assigns personnummer to citizens at birth (registering them in the National Population Register, Folkbokföringen), and to foreign residents when they report their move to Sweden and their residence permit grants resident status in the migration sense.
Coordination number (samordningsnummer) – a similar 10-digit number, but for foreign residents whose migration status doesn’t qualify them for personnummer (since it doesn’t involve National Population Register registration). Government agencies may order a number to be issued when you need services, or you can request it yourself – either through an online form or in person using form SKV 7540. Either way, you’ll need to verify your identity at a Service Center (servicekontor) – book an appointment first. Getting your number takes two to six weeks, depending on who requested it.
VAT registration number (momsregistreringsnummer / momsnummer) – you’ll get this from the Tax Agency when you register as a payer of VAT (moms). The format: SE (Sweden’s country code) + your personnummer + 01 at the end – for example, SE543210123401. You’ll need to register if your business activities meet certain conditions.
Freelancer taxes and contributions
Sweden offers various business structures, but if you’re receiving income through Solar Staff, you’ll need to operate as a sole proprietor (= sole trader, enskild näringsidkare).
Important! While Solar Staff doesn't provide tax status selection for freelancers in Sweden, you can still enter your tax ID in your account.
You can register on the Tax Agency portal Skatteverket to interact with tax authorities and file reports online. There’s also a dedicated government portal for entrepreneurs called Verksamt. You’ll need electronic identification – e-legitimationer (e-leg / e-ID) – which doubles as an electronic signature. You have several options: AB Svenska Pass, BankID, and Freja+.
Useful links: How to get e-ID; FAQ; using foreign e-ID to access Swedish government services.
Let’s dive into the details on status and taxes.
Sole proprietor
A sole proprietor (aka sole trader, enskild näringsidkare) is someone who runs their own business activity, owns it entirely (enskild firma), and shoulders all the associated risks.
Who can register: You need to be at least 18 years old (16 with consent from a parent or guardian plus approval from the municipal guardianship authority, överförmyndare på kommunen – more details). You can’t register if you’re in bankruptcy proceedings or have restrictions on your legal capacity. If you’re from outside the EU or EEA, you’ll need a Swedish residence permit.
Sole proprietorship works whether you’re providing services or selling goods under your own name.
To register, you can do it online or on paper using the unified form SKV 4620. This single form handles several things at once: getting your F-skatt status (or FA-skatt if you also have employment income), registering as a VAT payer, and registering as an employer (if needed). F-skatt means you’ll calculate and pay your own income tax and contributions. If you’re going the paper route, just mail your application to the Tax Agency.
You’ll only need to register with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Bolagsverket) if you reach large business status (större enskilda näringsverksamheter). This happens when you meet at least two of these three conditions over the past two financial years (and you’ll pay a registration fee):
Average employee count exceeds 50
Total assets (balance sheet) exceed SEK 40 million
Net revenue exceeds SEK 80 million
Once you hit this threshold, you’ll also need to hire a qualified auditor (more details) and submit annual financial statements (årsredovisning) with an audit report within six months of your financial period ending (guide). Send these by mail to the Companies Registration Office.
If you’re hiring employees, make sure to review your employer obligations.
When you’re ready to close your sole proprietorship, fill out form SKV 4639 and submit it online or mail it to the Tax Agency, along with all required reports (more details).
How sole proprietorship works: the essentials
Business name: You can operate under your own name or pick a different business name (check availability) – either during registration or later through an online application to the Companies Registration Office. There’s a fee for name registration.
Important! Solar Staff issues all accounts and documents under your personal legal name (full name). You can’t use a different sole proprietorship name in the system.
Activity code: When registering, you’ll specify one or more activity codes (SNI-kod) from the official classifier. Statistics Sweden (Statistikmyndigheten, SCB) uses this data for statistical analysis, and it might qualify you for tax benefits. Heads up: a new classification goes into effect in December 2025, so you may need to update your codes (more details).
Digital mailbox: You can set up a digital mailbox (digital brevlåda) for correspondence with government agencies. Available services include Billo, Kivra, and Min myndighetspost.
Licenses and permits: Depending on what you do, you might need special permits or licenses.
Intellectual property: The Swedish Patent and Registration Office (Patent- och registreringsverket, PRV) handles patent (patent) applications and registrations for trademarks (varumärke) and designs (design).
Insurance: Depending on your activities and whether you have employees, insurance may be mandatory.
Business bank account: To properly track income and expenses, you’ll need a separate account dedicated exclusively to your business activities.
Startup support: New entrepreneurs can apply for a startup grant (starta eget-bidrag). The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) provides unemployed individuals with financial support for six months (ten months if you have a disability) to get their business off the ground.
Sickness benefit: As a sole proprietor, you can receive sickness benefit (sjukpenning) from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) when you’re ill. The amount depends on your expected income level (sjukpenninggrundande inkomst, SGI). During your first three years in business, the SGI calculation uses a minimum amount equal to what an employee would earn doing the same work.
Useful links: More about sole proprietorship registration; video guide for new entrepreneurs; startup checklist.
Bookkeeping
You need to record income and expenses regularly and keep all invoices, receipts, delivery notes, and other financial documents for at least seven years. More about bookkeeping requirements
If you don’t qualify as a large business, you’ll still need to prepare financial statements. The format depends on your annual turnover:
Up to SEK 3 million – prepare a simplified annual report (förenklat årsbokslut) using form SKV 2150 (instructions here)
Over SEK 3 million – prepare a full annual report (årsbokslut) (guide here)
You don’t submit these reports to the Tax Agency – you’ll use them to prepare your income tax return.
Useful links: General bookkeeping guide; FAQ.
Taxes and contributions for sole traders
As a sole trader (enskild näringsidkare), you’ll need to pay the following taxes and contributions:
Income tax (Inkomstskatt)
Income tax works on a two-tier system – municipal tax (kommunalskatt) and state tax (statlig inkomstskatt). The rates for 2025 are:
Taxable income, SEK | State tax, % | Municipal tax, %* |
Up to 625,800 | 0 | 32 |
Over 625,800 | 20 | 32 |
*The average municipal rate ranges from 29% to 36% depending on where you live (rates for 2025).
Your income gets reduced by any documented expenses tied to your business activities. There’s also an automatic basic deduction (grundavdrag) that varies based on your income level (for 2025). If you have losses, you can account for them and carry them forward indefinitely (tax calculation guide).
Important! The tax-free threshold for 2025 is SEK 24,238.
Submitting your income information
Every year by November 30, you need to tell the Swedish Tax Agency what you expect to earn (income minus expenses) for the following calendar year (= reporting year). You do this through a preliminary income tax return (preliminär inkomstdeklaration) using form SKV 4314 – you can submit it online or by mail. In your first year, the expected profit information comes from your sole trader registration application. You can adjust these estimates throughout the year if needed (online calculator).
From your second year onward, advance payment amounts are calculated automatically based on the current year’s profit. If you skip the preliminary return, your preliminary tax defaults to:
110% of the final tax from the previous year, or
105% of the final tax from the previous year – but only if you overpaid last time (meaning you paid more in advances than you actually owed) (more details)
When calculating your advance payments, the Tax Agency factors in all your income – not just from your business, but also any salary if you’re employed, plus other income sources.
Filing your tax return
You’ll file an income tax return (Inkomstdeklaration 1) using form SKV 2000L (order the form here). The Swedish Tax Agency sends you a pre-filled version between March 3–7 of the filing year by email (or March 15–April 15 by regular mail to your business address). You file the return online along with the NE appendix (NE-bilaga) using form SKV 2161 (how to complete it), which shows your business’s financial results.
Filing deadline – no later than May 2 of the year following the tax year. In exceptional cases, you can request an extension by submitting form SKV 2600 to the Swedish Tax Agency. Filing late will cost you a penalty of SEK 1,250 (which can jump to SEK 3,750 depending on how late you are) (FAQ).
Paying your tax
You pay tax through a tax account (skattekonto) in twelve equal advance payments (preliminär skatt) – due on the 12th of each month during the year you earn the income (see important dates).
After you file your return, the tax authority reviews it and sends you a tax assessment (slutskattebesked) between June and December. This shows the final amount you need to pay or get refunded (refunds typically arrive within one to three weeks of the assessment – make sure to link your bank account). You usually have 90 days from receiving the assessment to pay any outstanding tax (installment plans are available) – the exact deadline will be stated in the document. If you pay late, you’ll face interest charges (intäktsränta) (FAQ).
Social security contributions (Egenavgifter)
These contributions are your way into the Swedish national insurance program (svenska socialförsäkringen). They’re calculated on your expected gross income (revenue minus expenses) at a rate of 28.97%. If your income is SEK 1,000 or less per year, you don’t need to pay contributions.
The calculation automatically includes a standard deduction (schablonavdrag) of 25% of your income. If your annual income exceeds SEK 40,000, you also get a special deduction (särskilt avdrag) of 7.5% (capped at SEK 15,000).
You report the contribution amount in your income tax return – there’s no separate filing required. Payment works the same way as your income tax (online calculator).
Value added tax (Mervärdesskatt, moms)
You need to register for VAT if your sole trader’s turnover during the current calendar year exceeds SEK 120,000. Registration is also mandatory when you sell goods or provide services to EU clients, regardless of your turnover. You can also register voluntarily (more details).
Registration
You can register for VAT either when you register as a sole trader or later – online or through form SKV 4620 by mail. Once registered, you’ll receive a registration extract (registerutdrag) by email (or regular mail if you didn’t provide an email) with your VAT registration number (momsregistreringsnummer).
The standard VAT rate is 25%, though certain goods and services qualify for reduced rates of 12% or 6%. Some service categories are completely VAT-exempt.
VAT comes with record-keeping and documentation requirements – you’ll need to issue VAT invoices. You can choose between two accounting methods when you register:
Cash method (kontantmetoden) – you only record income and expenses when money actually changes hands. If your annual turnover exceeds SEK 3 million, you’ll need to switch to the accrual method (submit the application online).
Accrual method (faktureringsmetoden) – you record income and expenses when they occur (like when you issue an invoice to a client), regardless of when payment actually arrives.
Filing
You file VAT returns (momsdeklaration) using form SKV 4700 (order the form here) online through the Skatteverket portal or by uploading a completed XML file (more about completing returns). You need to file even if you have no VAT-taxable transactions (about amended returns).
How often you file depends on your tax base for the year:
Annually – up to SEK 1 million
Quarterly – SEK 1 million to SEK 40 million
Monthly – over SEK 40 million
The deadlines are:
Annually – no later than May 12 of the year following the reporting one (or February 26 of the year following the reporting one if you sell to EU clients)
Quarterly – no later than the 12th of the second month after the quarter ends
Monthly – no later than the 26th of the following month (or the 12th of the second month after the reporting one if your tax base is under SEK 40 million)
Filing late will cost you a penalty of SEK 625.
Paying your tax
You need to pay by the return filing date. More about payment methods
Recapitulative statement
If you sell goods or provide services to clients in other EU countries, you’ll also need to file a recapitulative statement (periodisk sammanställning) using form SKV 5740 (order the form here) that includes your buyers’ VAT numbers (verify numbers here). You file electronically through the Skatteverket portal, by file transfer (filöverföring), or on paper (only if online filing isn’t possible).
Filing deadlines – no later than the 25th of the month following the reporting period (the 20th if you’re filing on paper). How often you file depends on what you sell:
Goods – monthly
Goods and services – monthly
Services only – quarterly
Filing late brings a penalty of SEK 1,250. If you don’t have any such transactions, you don’t need to file a statement. About amended statements
Other taxes and fees
Funeral fee (Begravningsavgift)
Everyone living in Sweden as of November 1 of the year before the tax year pays the funeral fee. The amount depends on which municipality you’re registered in.
There’s no separate filing – you pay it together with your income tax.
Church fee (Kyrkoavgift)
If you’re a member of the Swedish Church (Svenska kyrkan) as of November 1 of the year before the tax year, you pay the church fee. The amount varies based on your income and which congregation you belong to (typically 1–1.5%) – more details.
There’s no separate filing – you pay it together with your income tax.
Public broadcasting fee (Public service-avgift)
Everyone 18 and over who permanently lives in Sweden pays the public broadcasting fee. The fee is SEK 1,249 per year. If your annual income falls below SEK 124,930, the rate is 1% of your income instead.
There’s no separate filing – you pay it together with your income tax.
Useful resources
When reporting your Solar Staff income, follow the offer agreement and use the payment information from your work completion certificates and invoices.
If you have questions, reach out through the online chat in your Solar Staff account or email us at [email protected] for additional help.