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» Swedish withholding tax on dividends

Swedish withholding tax on dividends

Withholding tax on Swedish dividends is a source tax levied on dividends paid (by Swedish limited companies, for example) to individuals living abroad who have limited tax liability in Sweden.

Dividends paid to non-residents are normally subject to withholding tax at 30%. A lower rate may be applicable if this is specified by a tax convention between Sweden and the beneficial owner’s country of residence. Some international organisations, such as the UN, may be exempt from withholding tax on dividend payments in accordance with particular Swedish legislation.

Sweden suspends tax convention with Russia from 10 February 2025

The tax convention between Russia and Sweden has been suspended. This means that from 10 February 2025, Sweden will not apply the convention until further notice.

It will no longer be possible to reduce withholding tax on dividends paid or credited on or after 10 February by applying Sweden’s tax convention with Russia. From this date, withholding tax must be charged at 30% in accordance with the general rule specified in the Swedish Withholding Tax Act.

Do you wish to claim a withholding tax refund?

To claim a refund of withholding tax on Swedish dividends, please fill in and submit form SKV 3740. Residents of Switzerland must apply by filling in and submitting form SKV 3742.

Your claim should also include documentation that shows that you are entitled to the refund you have applied for. You must for instance submit the following if applicable:

Certificates proving that Swedish tax on dividends has been withheld (if dividend payments have been made by more than one bank, all certificates must be submitted)
Certificate of residence
Power of attorney (for an authorised representative)
Please provide your complete bank account details so that the Swedish Tax Agency can refund any withholding tax you are due. Please note that we cannot make a refund payment in stages through several banks.

If you have filled in form SKV 3740, please send it to the Swedish Tax Agency at the following address:

Kupongskatt
Skatteverket
Box 6037
171 06 Solna
Sweden

If you live in Switzerland, you must submit your application form in triplicate (three identical copies) to the competent cantonal tax administration in Switzerland.

When do I have to submit my application?

You can apply for a refund within five years of receiving a dividend payment. The Swedish Tax Agency must receive your application before the end of the fifth year after you received the dividend payment. If you received a dividend payment on 30 April 2020, for example, we must receive your application by 31 December 2025 at the latest (i.e., before the end of the fifth year after you received the payment).

If your country of residence for tax purposes is Switzerland, you must submit your application to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration before the end of the fifth year after you received the dividend payment.

You should wait at least four months after the dividend payment is made before submitting your application. This is because limited companies and equity funds that pay out dividends have four months to report and pay the withholding tax to the Swedish Tax Agency.

Who should sign the application form?

The application form should be signed by the claimant (the one who is stated as claimant in section I of the form). The application form can also be signed by the claimants representative. A claim signed by a representative must be accompanied by a power of attorney.

We also accept electronic signatures on the application form.

How long will it take to process my withholding tax refund application?

The Swedish Tax Agency’s processing times vary depending on the current volume and complexity of applications. We generally process applications in order of receipt. If any details are missing from your application, the Swedish Tax Agency will ask you to provide the information required. The processing time is therefore likely to be shorter if your application is complete on submission.

Please note that you will not receive an automated receipt when you submit your application. When the Swedish Tax Agency has processed your refund application, we will send you a decision notice by post.

Our processing times are currently longer than usual

Our processing times for withholding tax refunds are longer than usual at the moment. We apologise for the inconvenience and will do our best to process your application as quickly as possible.

If the correct tax rate is applied from the start, you won’t need to claim a withholding tax refund

You might find the tax relief at source system preferable to applying for a withholding tax refund. If you opt for tax relief at source, your paying agent will deduct a percentage of the dividend amount at the correct tax rate when making a payment to you. This means you will not need to apply for a withholding tax refund later.

Here’s what to do

If you would like tax to be deducted at source from future dividends that you receive from Swedish limited companies, you must contact the party that administrates your shareholding to check whether this is possible in your case. Please note that tax relief at source is not an option if your country of residence for tax purposes is Switzerland.

Do you need a certificate to confirm the withholding tax you have paid?

If you have paid withholding tax on Swedish dividends, you can request a certificate from the Swedish Tax Agency. We will issue the document in Swedish, along with an unofficial English translation. We will send it to you by post. Your request for a withholding tax certificate should include the following information:

Your name
Your Swedish identification number (if applicable)
Your postal address
Your phone number
Your email address
Which year/years the certificate should cover
A power of attorney (if you have a representative)

For a shorter processing time, please submit certificates of deduction of tax on Swedish dividends. If the Swedish Tax Agency needs more information, we will contact you.

Send your request for a withholding tax certificate by letter or email:

Postal address

Kupongskatt
Skatteverket
Box 6037
171 06 Solna
Sweden

Email:

skatteverket@skatteverket.se

Please write “Withholding tax certificate” in the subject line.

How long will it take to issue my withholding tax certificate?

The Swedish Tax Agency issues withholding tax certificates promptly.

Contact us

For further information, please call the Swedish Tax Agency or email us:

+46 8 564 851 60