On the agenda during the Brussels visit was state support for companies, which are considered to be in financial difficulties. Around 150 companies in rural Norway have received tax claims that could topple them over. According to the finance minister, ESA, which monitors the EEA agreement, supports Norway’s proposal for a solution.
– This is good news for many Norwegian companies. This is a solution that better secures Norwegian interests. I believe that the current rules have clearly had unfortunate consequences, and affected more companies than the purpose of the rules suggested, says Slagvold Vedum after the meetings.
The companies in question have been under the scheme with differentiated employer contribution. Now the Minister of Finance is sending a letter to the Swedish Tax Agency asking for the cases to be processed again.
To TV 2, the Finance Minister says that he has now resolved the matter.
– I went down here in November and tried to get an understanding and came back down now with a new proposal for a solution that we have been working on in the meantime and have gained approval for it.
Arne Røksund, president of ESA, confirms to TV2 that the case is under development.
– Yes, we think we are very close to a solution for at least parts of the challenge, and then we will continue to work on the rest. It is the third meeting we have had with the Minister of Finance in three months, and we believe we are close to a solution that will serve the interests of Norway.
The case is updated
