Tax Guide for Americans Living Abroad in Sweden

Living as an Expat in Sweden

Sweden offers its citizens some of the finest social programs that exist: universal health insurance, unlimited sick days, subsidized childcare, and free university tuition.

These luxuries do not come without a cost, however, and Sweden’s tax rates are among the highest in the world. In addition to Swedish taxes, Americans living abroad cannot forget their US expatriate income tax return obligation or other reporting requirements, like FBAR. If you are considering a move to Sweden, you will want to examine what effect it could have on your expat income tax return, as well as the Swedish tax rates and deadlines. 

What Are Sweden’s Taxes like for US Expats? 

Sweden is renowned for its comprehensive social programs. However, to support those social programs, Sweden also has some of the highest tax rates in the world. Swedish tax law is also known for its complexity, often making it difficult for expats to keep track of their obligations.

To help clear things up, here’s an overview of how Sweden’s tax law applies to US expats.

Who Has to File Taxes in Sweden? 

Expat residents of Sweden with an income of at least 18,900 Swedish kroner (SEK) in a single tax year are required to file an annual tax return to report their worldwide income. This applies to both full-year and part-year residents.

Non-residents, on the other hand, are only taxed on their Sweden-sourced income. Plus, non-residents are generally not required to file a tax return if they only have employment income to report without any capital gains, pensions, or other non-wage forms of income.

Who Qualifies as a Tax Resident in Sweden? 

Sweden’s taxes for US expats will depend on your residency status. So how do you know if you’re a resident or non-resident of Sweden?

Residency is determined by whether or not someone is “permanently or regularly” living in Sweden. This typically includes:

• Foreigners who are permanently domiciled in Sweden
• Foreigners who stay in Sweden for at least six months uninterrupted
• Foreigners who were previously Swedish residents and have an “essential connection” to Sweden, such as a permanent home or immediate family in the country

Swedish citizens and foreign residents who have lived in the country for more than a decade are considered tax residents until the resident can prove all ties have been broken. After that, the rules are flipped. Five years after a resident has left, it is up to the tax authority to prove that the person who had been living in Sweden still has important ties to the country. 

Is Foreign (Non-Swedish) Income Taxed in Sweden? 

You are taxed on your worldwide income if you are considered a resident in Sweden.  Non-residents are only taxed on income sourced within Sweden, including capital gains and pensions. The Swedish tax rate on employment income for non-residents is a flat 25%. 

Taxes in Sweden

Not all countries impose the same types of taxes on residents and non-residents. For example, unlike the US, Sweden has no gift tax, estate tax, or inheritance tax. So what taxes might an American living abroad in Sweden be subject to?

Here are the most common.

Swedish Income Tax Rates 

Sweden taxes income at two levels: local and national. Local taxes range across different municipalities, while national rates are more consistent. The table below shows both rates for Swedish residents, with an average estimate for local taxes. (All income amounts are given in SEK.)

Resident Income Tax Rates in Sweden:

• For income under 20,200, the national tax rate is 0%, and the local tax rate is 0%
• For income of 20,200–537,200, the national tax rate is 0%, and the local tax rate is ~32%
• For income over 537,200, the national tax rate is 20%, and the local tax rate is ~52%

While Swedish residents are required to report their worldwide income, the US-Sweden tax treaty helps US expats living in Sweden avoid double taxation.

Non-Resident Income Tax Rates in Sweden:

As mentioned above, the Swedish tax rate on employment income for non-residents is a flat 25%. 

Self-employed expats living in Sweden will receive a notice from the skatteverket (the Swedish equivalent of the IRS) informing them of their tax filing obligations.

Capital Gains Tax 

Capital gains and investment income are taxed at a flat rate of 30%. This tax applies regardless of whether or not the gain was related to business activities.

The good news is that capital losses can be used to offset taxes on capital gains, and depending on what type of gain or loss occurred, these may even be prorated. However, while losses can be carried forward, they cannot be carried back.

Property Tax

Sweden imposes a property tax—also known as a property fee—on certain houses. The rate for this tax depends on the use and value of the house but generally ranges from 0.75%–3% of the tax assessed value of the home.

Special Wage Tax on Pension Premiums

Employers who are established in Sweden are required to pay a wage tax on pension costs involving tax-qualified company pension plans. The rate for this tax is 24.26%.

Value-Added Tax

Because Sweden is part of the EU, most services and sales are subject to a value-added tax (VAT). The standard rate for value-added tax is 25%, but certain items such as food and books have a 12% VAT. Transportation is taxed at 6%.

Pro Tip: Expats can typically deduct the VAT charged on inputs from VAT that is payable on related output.

Corporate Tax 

As with individuals, Sweden taxes resident corporations on their worldwide income and nonresident corporations on only their Sweden-sourced income. (Though once again, the US-Sweden tax treaty typically protects resident corporations from double taxation.)

The corporate tax in Sweden is a flat rate of 20.6% on all taxable income.

Social Security 

Sweden boasts a comprehensive social security system supported by contributions from employers and employees. The US-Sweden totalization agreement defines terms for whether Americans working in Sweden are obligated to contribute to US Social Security or Swedish social security.

• If an expat works for a US company in Sweden for less than five years, they will typically pay into US Social Security
• If an expat works for a US company in Sweden for more than five years, they will likely pay into Swedish social security
• If an expat works for a non-US employer in Sweden, they will pay into Swedish social security

The tax rates for Swedish social security contributions are:

• 31.42% for employers
• 7% for employees
• 28.97% for the self-employed

Does the US Have a Tax Treaty with Sweden? 

Yes, the US has a formal tax treaty with Sweden. This treaty helps US expats living in Sweden avoid double taxation. The US and Sweden also have a totalization agreement to help determine which country’s social security system expats must contribute to.

What Tax Forms Do Americans Living in Sweden Have to File? 

Swedish Tax Forms for Expats 

Inkomstdeklaration 

The primary tax form in Sweden is the inkomstdeklaration (“income declaration”). There are multiple versions of the inkomstdeklaration:

• Inkomstdeklaration 1 is used to report the income of private individuals, sole traders, and partners in a limited company or trading company
• Inkomstdeklaration 2 is used to report the income of limited companies and economic associations
• Inkomstdeklaration 3 is used to report the income of nonprofit associations and foundations
• Inkomstdeklaration 4 is used to report the income of trading companies and limited partnerships

In most cases, US expats living in Sweden will use inkomstdeklaration 1.

Every year, Sweden’s skatteverket sends copies of this form to residents and nonresidents who are required to file. However, even if you don’t receive a tax form, you may still be required to file your Swedish taxes. In that case, you can request a copy from the skatteverket.

Either way, unlike with most US tax forms, your inkomstdeklaration will probably come already completed, and all you have to do is approve it with your signature. Alternatively, you can approve it online, over the phone, or even through text message.

If you think any of the information on your completed form is incorrect, you can change it online through the skatteverket website. To do this, you’ll need a Swedish personal identity number and Swedish e-identification (such as a BankID).

Your Swedish annual tax return is due on May 2nd, or the following Monday if May 2nd falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

US Tax Forms for Expats in Sweden

What Tax Deductions Are Available for Americans Living in Sweden? 

Because of the US-Sweden tax treaty, most Americans living abroad in Sweden won’t have to worry about double taxation. However, the IRS also provides several potential tax credits and deductions for expats, such as:

• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion 
• Foreign Tax Credit 
• Foreign Housing Exclusion (or Deduction) 

Using these tax credits, most expats are able to erase their US taxpaying obligations entirely. (Though you are still required to file a US Federal Tax Return even if you don’t owe anything.)

Get Expert Help with Your Expat Tax Return

Hopefully, this guide has given you a better understanding of how Sweden’s tax policies impact US expats. If you’d like to learn more, though, our team of expat tax experts are ready to help.