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Phillip Fry
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Swedish 2009
Budget Cuts Taxes
The government has confirmed a total tax cut of SEK32bn (USD4.8bn, or 1% of GDP) for the coming year, intended to lower income and corporate taxes and boost spending on research, schools, roads and railways. Despite fears of narrowing the budget surplus from an estimated 2.5% of gross domestic product this year to 1.1% in 2009, the government stands firm that the plans will help achieve their goals and maintain household spending. Unveiling the measures to parliament on Monday, Borg announced a cut in income tax of SEK15bn to be achieved via an extension of the in-work tax credit system combined with a reduction in the state income tax paid by middle and high earners. In order to cut Swedish corporate taxes by nearly SEK16bn, the tax rate will be reduced from 28% to 26.3% and the employers’ social security contributions lowered by 1% from 32.4% , and lower payroll taxes will be offered to employers who hire people under the age of 26 as an incentive to employ more young people. This Swedish payroll tax had previously been cut for companies employing certain immigrants, the disabled and those younger than 25 or older than 65, making it cheaper and consequently more attractive to hire staff. Overall, the government expects the economy to grow 1.5% this year, 1.3% in 2009 and by 2010 it predicts a 3.1% growth.
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