Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for measure FI-2023-1/2802 – measures in Finland
Country | Finland , applies nationwide |
Time period | Temporary, 01 January 2023 – 30 April 2023 |
Context | War in Ukraine, Cost of Living Crisis |
Type | Other initiatives or policies |
Category |
Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Support for energy bills |
Author | Amanda Kinnunen (Oxford Research) and Eurofound |
Measure added | 05 September 2022 (updated 19 June 2023) |
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has affected Europe's energy supply and energy prices. The government of Finland stated in the most recent negotiations for budget amendments that it is unlikely that prices will return to their pre-war levels in the near future. Thus, the government introduced a measure to assist citizens with the high energy prices. In addition to the reduction in the value added tax on energy , the measure introduces a four-month temporary electricity tax deduction on income taxation targeting lower-income taxpayers.
The government of Finland announced a plan for a four-month temporary tax deduction on income tax for lower-income individuals. One person per household is eligible for the deduction. The details of the measure are still to be determined and the government has not yet elaborated on how the measure will work in practice. The electricity tax credit is aimed at people who pay enough tax to qualify for a household tax deduction, while a temporary electricity allowance has been announced for those paying little or no tax.
Although the deduction will not take place until the following year's tax report, those eligible for the deduction can apply for a lower tax rate for 2023, thus having more household liquidity to cope with the high energy prices.
The deduction can be claimed if the household electricity bill exceeds €500 per month. Of bills above €500, 60% of the amount will be eligible for a deduction. The upper limit in the preparatory documents is set at €1,500. The maximum amount that can be subsidised is €600 per month and €2,400 per year. The subsidy was available from January to April 2023.
The government has earmarked €300 million for this measure.
More than 100,000 citizens are expected to be eligible for the deduction.
Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
---|---|---|
Applies to all workers | Does not apply to businesses |
People on low incomes
|
Actors | Funding |
---|---|
National government
|
National funds
|
Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:
Trade unions | Employers' organisations | |
---|---|---|
Role | No involvement as case not in social partner domain | No involvement as case not in social partner domain |
Form | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
No information available.
The leader of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) underlines the it is important that there is a political response to the record high electricity bills. He states that support should be targeted to low-income earners and those hardest hit by the price hike.
The Finnish Confederation of Industries (EK) commented on the government’s budget stating that they understand the spending increases in exceptional circumstances. However, they remain critical of increasing fiscal debt.
Citation
Eurofound (2022), Temporary tax deduction for high energy bills, measure FI-2023-1/2802 (measures in Finland), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/FI-2023-1_2802.html
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30 January 2023
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