Tax, customs and execution

Per Söderlund (SD)

Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by moving for approval of the committee's proposed decision, so that is out of the way.

Madam Speaker! Today we shall debate expenditure area 3 Tax, Customs and Execution, which encompasses the main tasks of deciding on and collecting taxes, customs duties and fees. Closely linked to and strongly integrated with the main tasks are activities such as population registration, ID cards, border protection and enforcement of payment claims. Within the tax, customs and execution area also lies the prevention of and countering of crime.

Tax, customs and execution

Madam Speaker! The Government notes in the budget bill that the taxes paid and amounts collected have increased as a result of societal development and the economic situation, but that the collection loss has increased due to a few larger cases.

Within the Swedish Tax Agency's area, the government assesses that the total tax error is 45 billion kronor, which is considered limited in light of the fact that approximately 2,000 billion kronor are paid in taxes and fees annually. According to the government, this indicates that the Swedish Tax Agency's work in ensuring desired tax and fee revenues is effective.

Madam Speaker! The Swedish Customs calculates the social benefit of seized narcotics and doping agents, as well as seized and confiscated alcohol and tobacco.

Seizures of narcotics and doping agents are estimated to a socio-economic value corresponding to the cost of abuse. The social benefit of alcohol and tobacco seizures is corresponded by the loss of tax revenue.

From the government's statement of accounts, it appears that the social benefit, calculated based on the seizure of narcotics and doping agents, also increased during 2021 and is the highest calculated value in ten years.

The amount of seized alcohol and tobacco was significantly lower during 2021 than in 2020, except for those goods classified under the designation other tobacco, which includes, among other things, snus, smoked tobacco, water pipe tobacco, liquid for e-cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products.

The amount of seized amphetamine and cocaine increased by 50 percent and 21 percent respectively compared to 2020, while the amount of seized cannabis decreased by 15 percent. The sharp increase in seized amphetamine can be explained by a few but very large seizures.

Madam Speaker! An application for someone to fulfill an obligation, for example to pay a debt, can be established after an application for a payment order or distraint at the Enforcement Authority.

During 2021, 1.2 million applications were received, of which 88 percent were directed against physical persons. Of these 88 percent, 24 percent concerned amounts of 500 kronor or less. The processing time for payment orders and enforcement has decreased slightly but is still long compared to the years 2018 and 2019, so some work remains to be done to rectify this.

Madam Speaker! Our population register has long been discussed, and its accuracy has been questioned for a long time. That the information in the population register reflects the population's residence, identity, and family law conditions is a prerequisite for social functions to have a correct basis for decisions and measures.

The last major census was conducted in 1990. Since then, no census on a large scale has been carried out, as there has been political opposition. This is despite the fact that the UN's recommendation is that a census should be conducted every ten years, which corresponds to the approximate average in the world.

The Swedish Tax Agency now estimates that the population registration error has increased recently. It is, of course, concerning that it is increasing, as it provides a poorer basis for political decisions. To reduce the population registration error, the Swedish Tax Agency has, among other things, carried out several residency checks during the last two years. The number of residency checks was 10 percent higher in 2021 than in 2020. In this context, it may be good to know that persons staying in the country without legal right and persons with coordination numbers who stay in the country temporarily are not included in the estimate of the population registration error.

Madam Speaker! In order to gain better control over who is in Sweden illegally and to combat welfare crime and organized crime, it is important that the state strengthens the control over the population register. Incorrect population registration data are used by criminal gangs, among other things, to obtain welfare benefits and subsidies. A strengthened population register gives the state better conditions to combat crime, prevent the emergence of exclusion, and build up important knowledge in the work to counter problems such as, for example, overcrowding.

Madam Speaker! It is therefore very pleasing that a national census is now to be carried out. The Government allocates 75 million kronor in 2023 to improve the population registration through a census. For 2024 and 2025, 170 million kronor are planned for this purpose.

Madam Speaker! With these words, I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will see each other again after New Year's.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Hanna Westerén (S)

Madam Speaker! I am a Social Democrat, and for us Social Democrats, taxes are important – not for their own sake but for what they enable. The welfare state that Sweden is in today has been built up by generations before us and is supported today by millions of welfare workers. It is financed by the fruits of our collective work and is in truth something to be very proud of.

I cannot, however, help but mention the need for a larger tax reform where the system is calibrated even better to meet the challenges we face and where the redistributive power becomes greater. A more just tax system than the current one is necessary.

Madam Speaker! It is difficult to describe in words the joy I felt when I learned that I would take a seat in the Riksdag's Committee on Taxation during this parliamentary term. It is a mission that I consider to be very important, and it makes me very proud.

A robust tax system that is transparent and predictable guarantees a society where everyone wants to do the right thing. All efforts made to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance are beneficial and should continue to be prioritized. It is our responsibility to ensure that the welfare system has the funds required to deliver healthcare, care, and education year-round and throughout the entire country. For that, taxes based on ability to pay and a constant ongoing effort to close loopholes that enable tax evasion and tax avoidance are required.

Madam Speaker! It cannot be overemphasized that we are now living in a time of unrest. Russia's ruthless war in Ukraine has reshaped the security situation in our immediate vicinity. At the same time, Putin's energy war is testing both the economy and the cohesion of Europe's countries. In Sweden, households and companies are being pressured by both high inflation and rising interest rates. Real wages are being eroded, and economic reality is intruding into people's everyday lives. Furthermore, Sweden faces a recession with increasing unemployment.

The difficult economic situation highlights the need for a secure society where welfare can be relied upon throughout Sweden and where we face tough times together. Unfortunately, the government's budget bill for 2023 does not meet the challenges that Sweden faces. The budget bill is a string of broken promises that clearly shows that the Sverigedemokraterna and the governing parties lack reality-based solutions to the societal problems. It is not enough.

Madam Speaker! Now a responsible policy is required that puts welfare and the fight against social problems first and that arms Sweden and the Swedish people to meet incredibly tough economic times.

We must stop the violence and break the new recruitment to the serious organized crime. We must take back the democratic control over the welfare and secure the welfare's financing so that it is not the children in school, the patients in healthcare, and the users in elderly care who pay the highest price for the economic downturn. We must also increase the pace of the climate transition and build a sustainable society while we create green jobs throughout Sweden.

The Social Democrats have presented a budget motion that can be relied upon. It contains substantial investments to protect welfare and household finances and to increase security throughout Sweden. We know that our Sweden can be better.

Madam Speaker! In Sweden, we finance our welfare and security collectively. A fundamental prerequisite for this is that the authorities tasked with ensuring the financing of the public sector are characterized by efficiency and accuracy and enjoy a high level of trust among the public and businesses.

Tax evasion and tax crimes threaten our social cohesion and erode the funding of our common welfare and security. It also risks challenging the legitimacy of the entire tax system. Every tax krona must be used effectively. To work powerfully for that is an important political priority for us Social Democrats.

The entire society needs to mobilize to combat serious organized crime. Skatteverket, Tullverket, and Kronofogden have a very important role in that work. In some areas, however, the work needs to be further strengthened. It is therefore positive that the appropriation to Skatteverket increases by 75 million kronor. We believe that these 75 million kronor should be directed towards strengthening the work of creating order in the population registry and towards intensifying the work against tax evasion. Inaccuracies in the population registry promote exactly that shadow society that our authorities have been tasked to combat. That these authorities have the tools they require is of the utmost importance.

The Customs Service's immensely important work at our borders is crucial in the fight against organized crime, to effectively ensure that illegal alcohol and illegal drugs and weapons do not end up on our streets and squares and harm our common society and claim lives.

The Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden) actually exists for all of us, to provide support when a debt is to be repaid and also to execute collection when the willingness to pay falters. For some months now, the Swedish Enforcement Authority has also had the mandate to seize assets remotely in connection with police raids. It is a vital tool in the fight against serious organized crime. That our authorities have the mandate and tools enables our resources to end up where they belong.

Madam Speaker! Our current system is based on the fact that there must be order and clarity. Benefits shall come to those who are entitled to them. Tax shall be paid by those who are liable for tax in Sweden. Tax evasion, tax avoidance, and tax fraud are still widespread. The challenges are also growing in a globalized world.

The authorities enjoy high confidence but need to cooperate more with each other and with other relevant authorities to map out, prosecute, and combat all types of suspected criminal schemes. The goal must be a society where everyone wants to do the right thing and where it is easy to do the right thing.

Madam Speaker! Since the parliamentary majority in the first step of the budget process has given the budget policy a different direction than the one we desire, we abstain from taking a position regarding the allocation of appropriations within expenditure area 3.

Madam Speaker! I would like to thank the Committee on Taxation's office and the Swedish Parliament Administration for their well-executed work in the service of our common society. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Boriana Åberg (M)

Madam Speaker! I would like to thank Hanna Westerén for the speech.

Hanna Westerén mentioned that the Social Democrats welcome that the appropriation to Skatteverket is increased by 75 million. They are positive about creating order and clarity in the population register and intensifying the work against tax fraud and tax evasion.

I wonder what the Social Democrats' position is on a census.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Hanna Westerén (S)

Madam Speaker! Thank you for the question, Boriana Åberg!

We are to some extent in agreement that the Swedish Tax Agency needs to have more tools at its disposal to bring order and clarity to our systems. But those who are serious about a census and that such a census should be carried out should also provide significantly greater resources than those currently allocated in the budget. The figures we have received indicating that it would involve are far more than 75 million kronor.

As far as I have understood, census is also not considered to be the most effective system to address the problems we have in Sweden. We would like to see more order and clarity in our systems. But we do not think census is the most optimal tool.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Boriana Åberg (M)

Madam Speaker! In addition to the 75 million that have been allocated for next year, 170 plus 170 million have been allocated for the following two years.

I also want to ask Hanna Westerén about which methods are more effective than a census to find out who is in Sweden. We have growing shadow societies. There are people with double and triple identities who receive benefits they are not entitled to. There are people who left Sweden a long time ago but still collect child benefits, housing benefits, and other benefits linked to being registered in Sweden. I wonder: What is the more effective method that the Social Democrats advocate?

I also have another question. At the beginning of her speech, Hanna Westerén spoke very warmly about a tax reform. The well-informed will remember that point 4 in the January agreement was about precisely a new tax reform. Why did the Social Democrats not implement this tax reform when they held government power?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Hanna Westerén (S)

Madam Speaker! I am the first to sign on to the fact that the shadow society that we see emerging in Sweden today needs to be combated. However, I want to emphasize that I do not believe that a census is the tool we need. We have a number of competent authorities in Sweden today with a number of tools at their disposal. We also have terms such as population registration crimes. We can conduct unannounced inspections. A census brings to mind what is stated in the Christmas Gospel about Quirinius, governor of Syria, wanting us to go and register for taxes. There are more effective methods today. There are a number of tools that, among others, the Swedish Tax Agency has at its disposal to ensure that the right person is registered in the right place. A census, if handled correctly, also costs far more than what the bourgeois parties and the Sverigedemokraterna have budgeted for such a thing. I do not consider it to be a seriously intended reform.

I maintain that a tax reform of a major scale would be beneficial. Mechanisms for taxation based on ability to pay do exist in today's tax system, but they could be much stronger and more redistributive. I regret that we have not come further in the question of a tax reform. The very best would have been if we had broad agreement that we should have a more redistributive system where there is uniformity, similarity, and neutrality. It is a task that I hope will continue, even though I am somewhat pessimistic when it comes to the current government constellation.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Boriana Åberg (M)

Madam Speaker! We are now debating expenditure area 3 Tax, Customs and Execution. It concerns appropriations to the authorities Skatteverket, Tullverket and Kronofogdemyndigheten, which are responsible for central societal functions and make great efforts so that people in Sweden can live a good and secure life. They contribute to our security, for example through Tullverket's efforts to stop weapons and drugs from freely flowing across the country's borders. They contribute to ensuring that there is money for all our common societal functions, such as the justice system, defense and welfare, by ensuring that the taxes decided upon by political assemblies are actually paid in and can be used for intended purposes. They contribute to competition on equal terms, so that hard-working and industrious entrepreneurs who do the right thing do not get outcompeted by illegal goods flowing in from other countries or by less scrupulous entrepreneurs who do not do the right thing and who do not pay either their taxes or their debts to other entrepreneurs.

Today I will focus on how the combined power of these authorities contributes to combating crime of various kinds. This is something that has become increasingly urgent over time, as crime has become increasingly grave and sophisticated and today seriously constitutes a major threat to many people's safety, both perceived and real.

The Moderates received the Swedish people's trust to get Sweden in order. Sweden is plagued by very serious, society-threatening crime. The shootings and explosions, which occur in principle every week, are only the visible part of the iceberg. The rest consists of other crimes such as, for example, drug smuggling, extortion, money laundering, and crimes against the welfare systems.

Organized crime has, like a cancerous tumor, eaten its way into all parts of the body of society. The nature and methods of crime have become even more sophisticated. Therefore, it is required that the authorities keep pace or preferably stay one step ahead, train their staff, and not least cooperate with one another. Skatteverket, Kronofogdemyndigheten, Tullverket, along with several other authorities, can significantly reduce the drivers to be criminal in Sweden with the right tools and in cooperation with one another.

In the situation report on the inter-agency picture of organized crime, the assessment is made that attacks on payment systems and evasion of taxes and fees are today one of the most serious crimes against society from organized crime. The study from the Delegation for Correct Payments from Welfare Systems that has been raised in the debate points out that 18 billion kronor are paid out incorrectly from the welfare systems every year. It is, among other things, incorrect work permits, false certificates, and incorrect population registration that cause these incorrect payments.

Therefore, the implementation of a national census is a very important measure. It is completely unreasonable that the state does not have a handle on which people are in the country and where they live. It makes it possible to cheat with benefits and get away with crimes. Physical visits shall be made to the addresses and in the areas that stand out by having many people registered as residents and where the turnover of the residents is large.

The experiences of Skatteverket's pilot controls are good. The authority has identified 500 addresses suspected of being part of advanced crime schemes, for example, properties purchased with proceeds from crime and which have become residences for persons staying illegally in Sweden. These persons renovate the property for slave wages. When it is sold, the proceeds from the crime are laundered white, and the people are moved to another substandard residence without heat and running water to renovate under slave-like conditions.

I think it is particularly noteworthy that Vänsterpartiet, Miljöpartiet and Centerpartiet are saying no to the 75 million that the government has allocated to get the population registration in order.

Mr. Speaker! It is positive that a new indicator has been added to monitor the results of the Swedish Enforcement Authority's work in preventing and countering crime. The Swedish Enforcement Authority plays a central role in crime fighting. The authority does a lot to access the criminals' money. It should not be possible to combine a luxury life with a criminal lifestyle.

The Moderates have long pushed for the introduction of an efficient remote enforcement and a strengthened national emergency line for the Swedish Enforcement Authority. The legislative change that entered into force this summer has shown that the improved possibilities for remote enforcement quickly yielded results. A comparison between September 2021 and September this year shows that the number of calls to the national emergency line has more than tripled, the number of enforcement actions has become seven times larger, and the value of the seized property has become 15 times higher. In absolute terms, this concerns no less than 4.4 million kronor.

What is being seized? It is primarily expensive watches, designer clothes, cash, and bulletproof vests. These are things that the criminals carry on them. That type of seizure also has another effect. They prevent children from choosing the path of crime.

In Malmö, there are eight-year-olds acting as runners for drug dealers. But the drug dealers' glamour in the neighborhood falls quickly when they have to hand over their expensive jackets and watches to the police in front of everyone.

The Swedish Enforcement Authority faces constant high pressure on the national emergency line which is open after office hours and on weekends. There are also new logistical challenges for the authority due to the remote measurements.

If, for example, the police, with the Enforcement Authority remotely via telephone, seize a car on site, it is the Enforcement Authority's task to order the towing of the car and take the car to one of the Enforcement Authority's storage sites. This is something that takes valuable time from the person responsible for the national emergency duty at that moment.

I also want to mention the Swedish Enforcement Authority's work against economic violence. It is a crime that most often occurs in secret in combination with violence in close relationships and honor-related violence and oppression. The most common victims are women who are saddled with debt against their will.

The Swedish Enforcement Authority has developed routines and detailed information for other authorities who encounter victims of violence regarding what help the victims can receive. This may involve assistance or a stay of execution of the seizure.

Mr. Speaker! The Swedish Customs Service has long warned against smuggling conducted in a manner that resembles legal business activity. The openness and free movement in Europe serve us well, but it must not mean free movement for criminals.

Thus, the Customs Service's crime-fighting activities must be strengthened without compromising the trade-related work. The Customs Service needs to be given the authority and clearer mandates to carry out spot checks at exports from the country. It must not be possible for criminals to place orders for boat engines, lawnmowers, and car parts, travel to Sweden, steal them, and then pass the border unhindered.

The Moderates have long championed the issue of increased powers for Tullverket. It cannot be overemphasized how important it is to update Tullverket's powers and adapt them to today's reality.

Mr. Speaker! Finally, I want to tell you about a successful method from Skåne, the work method Störa, which means that the customs officers work in the border area between the controls at Sweden's borders and the work that the customs crime unit carries out with surveillance and investigation.

The purpose is to locate illegal goods - tobacco, alcohol, drugs and weapons - that have not been detected through Tullverket's traditional methods. The strength of the method is that one acts quickly and that small resources are required in relation to the value of the seizures. One also cooperates very closely with the police, Kronofogden and the municipalities' supervisory units.

Mr. Speaker! Now I come to the really boring part of my speech. Unfortunately, the so successful method has been discontinued. It is the Customs Administration's insufficient powers in combination with the authority's own legal department's interpretation of these that have put a stop to the method.

After a JO report, for example, the customs inspectors were no longer able to assist the police with narcotics search dogs during house searches, which has negatively affected the cooperation with the Swedish Police Authority.

Employees expressed the following in an open letter to the authority - which was published in the press: Our perception is that the legal department, with its interpretive priority regarding the legislation concerning Tullverket, is working according to its own agenda. There is a feeling of avoiding complaints, and JO complaints are more important than developing effective methods for working with crime fighting. Furthermore, very harsh criticism is directed in the letter towards Tullverket's highest management.

I am aware that it is not the Riksdag's task to handle this conflict. But given how it has affected the Swedish Customs Service's work, I think it is important to raise the issue.

Finally, I would like to move for approval of the committee's proposal.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Hanna Westerén (S)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Boriana Åberg, for a very vivid speech, and a special thanks for the member also highlighting the economic violence! It is a very calculated way to commit an abuse against another human being. It is very good that it is highlighted in this way.

I would like to return to something completely different. Right now, very many of our political priorities are being nitpicked. Given the resources that we are debating today and will decide on, I would like to ask how the Moderaterna reason regarding how we should use the taxes we are tasked to manage and allocate.

Yesterday, the LO economists' report was released. There, it is stated that it would be fully possible to allocate more resources to public consumption without fueling inflation. I find that very interesting to take note of.

We find ourselves in such an incredibly difficult time. We know, given what we have experienced in Sweden, that it has very large consequences to tighten the belt for the public sector in this time. We also know that that type of belt-tightening policy often carries a very high price tag further down the line.

It has long paid off in Sweden to invest in the common good. It has made us equal and strong. We also know that savings in this area always hit those who have the least. Given what we have learned today, and not least regarding how much money is coming in, I believe that Sweden can do much better than this.

I want to ask quite sincerely: Is it really reasonable, given the strong budget we have, or could have, to deprioritize welfare in this way?

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Boriana Åberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! No reductions are being made in the area of tax, customs and execution, which we are discussing today. I do not understand the member's question.

If I am to say anything about the budget that the coalition partners have presented, it is a very well-balanced and responsible budget. If you accelerate inflation, it will end in an extreme crisis where people will have to leave their houses and homes.

It is a risk that the Social Democrats obviously take very lightly in their own budget.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Hanna Westerén (S)

Mr. Speaker! I do not think it is irrelevant to speak in a tax debate about what our common resources can be used for. I have the greatest respect for the fact that the LO economists' report may not top Boriana Åberg's literature list.

What they point out is that accurate investments in, for example, electricity supply or education for shortage occupations could make a very big difference for Sweden in a difficult time. It is highly relevant to demand the priorities from the Moderaterna. We find ourselves in a time where the choices of path play an incredibly large role.

I lack focus and cohesion in a very difficult time. It is fragmented. It is reasonable to get answers from the Moderaterna on how our common resources can best be used.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Boriana Åberg (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is very bold of the Social Democrats to speak about electricity supply. During their time in government, both in the most recent period and in previous periods, they have decommissioned six well-functioning nuclear reactors. That is what is causing the misery that southern Sweden and now also northern Sweden are experiencing with enormous electricity bills with prices at 6 kronor per kilowatt-hour, and on top of that, taxes, VAT, and fees.

I think a little humility regarding the issue of the electricity supply would be in order in this chamber.

The Speaker also mentions education. All the experiments you have conducted with the school lead to young people leaving primary school without eligibility for further studies. It is also a responsibility that lies with you. It is not possible to come in a couple of months after a new government has taken office and demand that we fix the energy supply and the education that you have neglected for eight years.

It is very important for me to point out once and for all that we received the Swedish people's trust to get Sweden in order - and we will get it. This applies to both the electricity supply, with our long-term investments in nuclear power, education, and most importantly: the work line. If we are to have money to invest in all the areas that Hanna Westerén mentioned, someone must generate these funds, and it is people who go to work every day and pay taxes.

(Applause)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V)

Mr. Speaker! Since the Riksdag has adopted a different framework budget for the expenditure area, I will refrain from taking a position regarding the allocation of appropriations. The Left Party's proposal within the expenditure area is part of our budget alternative, which is a whole.

The Sweden Democrats' and the government's budget is characterized by a shocking passivity in the face of both major structural societal problems and the effects of the ongoing cost crisis. In our budget motion, we present a completely different direction. Economic policy must be directed towards full employment and economic equality. The burdens of the rapid price increases must be distributed fairly with a focus on households with small margins. At the same time, the climate transition must be accelerated significantly so that we can reach the climate goals.

We see today all too great gaps between people and between municipalities. State services have been withdrawn and concentrated in the larger cities. Large parts of the country have been betrayed. The betrayed Sweden is an effect of political decisions. It is the politicians and the parties who have betrayed. Deregulation and sell-offs of public activities, in combination with an over-reliance on market solutions, have moved jobs away from rural areas and suburbs.

The dismantling of the safety net systems has reduced individual incomes and municipal tax revenues. The municipalities' expenditures for social assistance have increased - in the country's poorest municipalities. With the Riksdag's budget for 2023, the gap widens even further as the state grants to municipalities and regions do not cover the increased costs.

On Wednesday, Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner presented their assessment for 2023. 17 regions assess that they will end with a deficit, and the remaining 3 assess a zero result. So much was the government parties' election promises regarding healthcare worth.

For the municipalities, the result has not been so weak in almost 20 years. Still, planned cuts are included in the assessment, or as it is called in SKR-Swedish: Furthermore, municipalities and regions are now curbing their costs. But to curb, streamline, or reduce costs in municipalities and regions means cuts, regardless of which word one uses.

For 2024, SKR assesses that it is even more concerning. In that case, a deficit of approximately 24 billion kronor is expected despite all planned cuts. With the Left Party's budget proposal, municipalities and regions could have continued to deliver a good, and even better, welfare.

We can also observe that the extensive state tax cuts of recent decades have benefited residents in the country's wealthiest municipalities. In 2023, furthermore, those who earn over 46,200 kronor receive up to 1,400 kronor in tax cuts per month, while those with lower incomes, and thus smaller or no margins, receive no tax cut at all or a couple of hundred kronor. Something is wrong with a tax system where middle- and high-income earners have inflation-protected tax, but low-income earners do not. The right-conservatives should be ashamed that they are doing nothing about it.

The 13 billion that the tax cut would additionally cost the state would do greater good in healthcare, elderly care, and school than in the wallets of those who already have enough to get by. This applies, for example, to us Members of Parliament, who receive 1,400 kronor in tax cuts. There is, however, a difference between needing to cut down on the number of actual meals and needing to cut down on the number of trips abroad.

Mr. Speaker! Sweden has long been a country with relatively low crime. As society has been torn apart, an organized crime with promises of quick money has been able to emerge and take root. Many young people, in particular boys and young men, who see no way forward through studies and work, are lured by a perceived opportunity to earn money and gain prestige through crime.

Demand for drugs drives the violence. In the wake of crime, there are human tragedies. There are people who are killed or injured for life and relatives, neighbors and others who feel anxiety and insecurity.

The Swedish Customs plays an important role in the fight against organized crime and contributes to stopping the smuggling of drugs and illegal weapons already at the country's borders. We have therefore, in our expenditure area motion, allocated more resources to Tullverket for this work. Additionally, we are adding more to the police's customs activities.

We are reducing the appropriation to Skatteverket because we believe that the agency should not carry out a national census. We consider a national census to be a demanding and expensive undertaking in this context - which has already been debated here in the chamber - that would not have more than a limited effect on the shadow society. The measures instead aim to make life more difficult for those people who live as undocumented in Sweden, and this based on the notion that it should make them leave the country. This policy has already been tested in several stages and always with the same result, namely that the vulnerability in an already very vulnerable group increases.

There are several reasons why people live in undocumented status in Sweden. A more legally secure asylum process would lead to fewer incorrect rejections but also to greater trust in the system and an increased willingness to follow the decisions made within it. Another reason for undocumented status is that people are deceived into Sweden to be exploited as cheap labor. This must be stopped, among other things through measures that prevent unscrupulous companies from exploiting labor migrants by ensuring that the exploitation of people is prevented and to curb crime in the labor market. It is those who exploit vulnerable people that we need to target, not the vulnerable people.

Mr. Speaker! Otherwise, I refer to my individual statement.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Cecilia Engström (KD)

Mr. Speaker! I begin by moving to approve the committee's proposal within expenditure area 3 Tax, customs and execution.

Today we are debating the appropriations for Skatteverket, Tullverket, and Kronofogdemyndigheten. All three are very important operations in our country. They are to ensure the financing of the public sector, contribute to a well-functioning society for the public and companies, and counter crime. This also includes operations such as population registration, ID checks, border protection, and the enforcement of payment claims.

The authorities enjoy a great deal of trust among the Swedish population. That is good and important. They shall ensure that the correct taxes, duties, fees, and other obligations are paid on time. Tax evasion and tax avoidance damage free and fair competition and divert resources from our common welfare. Countering tax evasion is a continued priority for this government.

Mr. Speaker! The Swedish Tax Agency, the Swedish Customs Service, and the Swedish Enforcement Authority have an important mission to counter crime, especially organized crime. Crimes shall be prevented and countered with force with all available means at their disposal. Black market work, smuggling, tax evasion, and money laundering are serious crimes, and they must be stopped. The Government has a high ambition in the crime-fighting work. New tools are underway that shall increase the authorities' possibilities to prevent crime.

Mr. Speaker! We Christian Democrats were the first to push for the demand of a referendum. We listened to the alarms that were heard and the estimates that were made regarding the population registration error. The Border Police have stated that we have a parallel society that is only growing and that we have lost control over who is in Sweden. The Migration Agency assesses that there are nearly 60,000 individuals registered with two or more identities with them. They state at the same time that it is a large dark figure, and that means there are probably many more.

That we do not know which persons are in Sweden or why they are here is a threat to public order and national security.

Mr. Speaker! Inaccuracies in the population register create problems for the entire society. In order to gain better control over who is staying illegally in Sweden and to combat welfare crime and organized crime, it is important that the state strengthens the control over the population register.

The Swedish Tax Agency is therefore receiving funds to increase targeted inspections, especially in areas where the risk of incorrect population registration is assessed to be high. They shall increase the number of inspection visits but also invest in preventive work and knowledge-raising initiatives in those areas. The work shall be carried out together with other authorities but also with municipalities and property owners.

Mr. Speaker! Several have before me spoken about the appropriations to the various authorities. Skatteverket receives increased appropriations, among other reasons, to improve the population registration. Tullverket's appropriation is increased to maintain border protection and improve crime-fighting work. Kronofogdemyndigheten receives reduced appropriations because the reinforcements they previously received in connection with covid-19 are now decreasing as planned.

Mr. Speaker! Sweden faces several challenges. High inflation and rising interest rates are putting pressure on households and companies. Many feel anxious about how they will be able to pay their bills in the future. But it is then important that the state budget does not increase with the inflation and cause cost increases through its stimuli.

The Swedish Enforcement Authority has good competence to identify early those who may end up in over-indebtedness. The authority can take preventive measures as well as support the parties in resolving their disputes voluntarily. Unfortunately, there are still many children affected when the parents do not manage their finances. Therefore, the preventive work is very important.

Mr. Speaker! We Christian Democrats are pleased that in the budget we have an extension of the increase of the housing allowance through a supplementary allowance of up to 1,325 kronor per month. It is a prioritization of those who have it hardest.

Furthermore, the Christian Democrats' election promise regarding a leisure card will now be introduced with the budget. It is a card loaded with money for children's and young people's leisure activities. One should be able to continue with activities even if the family's finances are tough, so that children do not have to stop playing football because the family cannot afford it.

Mr. Speaker! The Swedish Tax Agency, the Swedish Customs Service, and the Swedish Enforcement Authority all have an important mission. They are to ensure the financing of the public sector, contribute to a well-functioning society, and counter crime. These missions are reinforced and carried out through this budget.

With that, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Cecilia Engström, for a committed contribution, above all the commitment for the children! But I reacted to the member saying that it is many children who are affected when the parents do not manage their finances. By that, it is of course meant that the children are affected by evictions - because it was evictions the member spoke about before - because parents prioritize buying food or winter clothes for their children instead of paying the rent, because daily life takes precedence.

At the same time, it is the case that this government and the coalition partners are not putting any money into families with children. Instead, they are investing in those of us who already earn a lot. I, the member, and everyone else in this chamber receive a tax cut of 1,400 kronor a month, totaling 13 billion, which could have been used to strengthen the welfare system.

Many of these children's parents do not, according to the member, manage their finances. But these parents might be living on parental leave, are on sick leave and have sickness benefit, and they pay higher taxes than those who work.

We must end this tax gap. We must ensure that we have a fair tax system and not blame parents for not managing their finances when they are trying to make ends meet. I would very much like to hear the member elaborate on that reasoning a little bit.

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Cecilia Engström (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, Ilona Szatmári Waldau, for the question! Naturally, it is the case that one has a responsibility as a parent to keep track of one's finances. It is something that I think everyone should take seriously.

There is also a mandate for the Swedish Enforcement Authority to work with preventive measures and to identify these individuals when they are about to fail to meet their rent. There is also a mandate to report to the social services so that they can find a solution together and save the families who are heading towards debt and are unable to manage their finances. This is something that is being worked on very actively, and it is positive that solutions are found and that one can resolve the problems that families sometimes may have.

Then it is not true that we are not making any investments. It was, among other things, what I mentioned here at the end, that there is both a housing allowance that goes to those who need it most and that the money for children's leisure activities will be shared by these children.

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Ilona Szatmári Waldau (V)

Mr. Speaker! Thank you, member, for the answer!

Now the member returned to the point that one has a responsibility to keep track of one's finances. It is very easy to say that one should keep track of one's finances when one stands here in the chamber with an income of over 70,000 and furthermore a tax cut of 1,400 kronor a month next week. But the families with children who actually do not have money for rent, for food for the day, or to buy winter shoes or winter jackets for their children get nothing in the tax cut. And no changes are being made to the parental leave, the unemployment insurance, or the sickness benefit.

Shouldn't it be better to lower the tax for those who have low incomes and raise it for those who have high incomes? Isn't it better that we who earn over 70,000 cut back on one trip abroad or another - not because I do, but I am convinced that several do - than that the one who earns significantly less should have to cut back on food or once again have to forgo buying new winter shoes?

Why do we have a government that invests in those who already have, takes from those who have nothing and puts it towards tax cuts for those who are rich? In what way does that benefit the parents who today are burdened with multiple rents in debt and have no alternative? How can the member of Parliament blame those parents?

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Cecilia Engström (KD)

Mr. Speaker! Naturally, as a parent, one has a responsibility to keep track of one's finances. I think that is natural. One has a responsibility as a parent. There are, of course, needs that one has all the time, but one can also prioritize one's activities. Sometimes I wonder if many actually do not prioritize what is absolutely most necessary, for example, winter shoes and a jacket for their children.

The Member of Parliament presents it as if we are only making tax cuts for high-income earners. That is not the case at all. It is about a KPI adjustment that is actually included in the routine that exists. Would one therefore not get access to it in good times but only in bad times? It seems a bit strange to only do it at certain times. It is actually also both midwives and police officers who fall into this category, not just Members of Parliament. It is about following a system that already exists.

The support that we provide is both an electricity support and a support for the families who are struggling the most. There is also a housing allowance, and there is a social service that has a mandate to help those who are struggling the most. This will continue. From the member, it sounds like we are going to remove all existing support. That is not the case at all. The ambition from this government is to lower taxes for low- and middle-income earners.

The more people who come into work, the more there will also be who have an income to live on. It is something that we will continue to work on: to maintain the work principle and to ensure that more jobs are created.

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Helena Lindahl (C)

Mr. Speaker! A few weeks ago, we in the Committee on Taxation were visited by the Swedish Tax Agency, the Swedish Customs Service, and the Swedish Enforcement Authority. For those of us who are new, it was very good. For my part, these are perhaps authorities that one prefers to stay away from and is a bit afraid of, but it was very interesting to hear what they said.

These authorities have a very high level of trust among the population, not least the Swedish Tax Agency. I also thought it was good to hear that the Enforcement Authority spends a considerable amount of time helping people who have fallen into debt traps and that great consideration is taken for families where children are involved.

When it comes to the Swedish Customs, I hope that we will get to go on a visit, in both the north and the south, because their operations look very different. In Helsingborg, for example, there is a type of border customs, while the distances and thus also the borders in the north are very long, for example towards Norway, and then one must work in a different way. One perhaps also has a more mobile operation.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, a considerable amount of these agencies' time is spent trying to curb welfare crime, which many have touched upon today, such as tax evasion and crime. Some try to hide their identity, others have several different identities and also addresses.

Just as we touched upon earlier, fraud and crime erode our common welfare. To tackle this, there are different ways for the authorities to work.

In the referral, we deal, among other things, with the government's budget bill regarding the parts that handle the expenditure area Tax, Customs and Execution, that is to say the appropriations to Skatteverket, Tullverket and Kronofogdemyndigheten.

You may have seen that Centerpartiet proposes that we should reduce the appropriation to Skatteverket by approximately 102 million kronor for 2023 in comparison with the government's proposal. Why is that? one might wonder. The largest reduction actually concerns the population census part. We reject that proposal - not because we think there is no problem, because there is, but we are considering how a population census should be carried out. Of course, we must curb these crimes, but how is it to be implemented in practice?

Criminals will hardly, Mr. Speaker, fill out forms, open the door when the authority knocks, or even be present. Tens of thousands of students do not live at their original address. Many undocumented people do not even have any housing. No one really knows how this is supposed to work. Even the Swedish Tax Agency itself says that they also find it difficult to see how they should proceed in practice. Instead, a larger legal scope is requested, for example, the right to flag or search for criminals in existing registers.

In conclusion - I will keep it short today - some have pointed out that a larger review of the tax reform needs to be carried out. That was also the intention during the last parliamentary term. Corona intervened, and it was postponed to the future.

Then I would like to take a stand for the municipal tax equalization system. It was introduced in the 60s so that differences between city and country could be equalized. Today it looks a bit different. I could go as far as to say that I see that the tax equalization system in some places, especially in cities, has become more of a kind of budget regulator than anything else.

We also see that the poorest small inland and rural municipalities, not least in the north, can hardly afford to pay their running bills despite receiving these equalization funds. I meet municipal councilors and municipal managers who say they have a stomach ache before the running bills are paid. They do not even know how they are going to scrape together the money for them or if they will be able to keep the streetlights on.

That is what reality looks like. I believe we would need to look at a system that more favors the countryside.

A few weeks ago, we visited Svenskt Näringsliv and talked about tax issues, and I was then asked if one couldn't merge municipalities. Well, perhaps one can do that. But in the interior of Västerbotten, we have six inland municipalities on an area roughly as large as Denmark, and all six are poor. Just because there are six empty bags doesn't mean it will become a full bag, rather a large empty bag.

There we actually need to rethink. I look forward to this work, which I hope will also occur within a reasonably near future.

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Cecilia Rönn (L)

Mr. Speaker! The efforts of the Swedish Tax Agency, the Swedish Customs Service, and the Swedish Enforcement Authority to ensure the financing of the public sector are important. Our common welfare requires resources, and countering the disappearance of large revenues from our common welfare is very important – just as the agencies' efforts to counter crime are important, and just as the Swedish Customs Service, through its seizures, creates a great social benefit when they stop weapons and drugs from entering Sweden.

Mr. Speaker! I would like to specifically mention two parts within the expenditure area that the Committee on Taxation is responsible for: one, the initiative on the population census, and the other, the problems with tax evasion and welfare fraud.

The Swedish Tax Agency estimates the tax error at approximately 45 billion kronor. These are incredible sums, and it is of the highest priority that this figure decreases so that these funds can instead go towards our common welfare, where they would do enormous good.

As representatives of democracy, we all have a responsibility to do everything we can to ensure that every tax crown to be paid is paid and ends up in the place where it does the most good. Our authorities are doing a solid job for this, and they are improving the working methods all the time. Furthermore, among others, Skatteverket has made great efforts to make it easier for both companies and private individuals to understand what is expected of them and to do the right thing. This is very good, and it is important that this work continues. We can see an effect of this in that the trust for Skatteverket has increased significantly.

The Swedish Tax Agency receives further financial reinforcement to be able to carry out a population census. It is a very important initiative.

Mr. Speaker! For us Liberals, it is important that the state fulfills its obligations towards individuals based on their rights. In order for these rights to be secured, we must have functioning societal functions so that the state can take responsibility for its part of the social contract. But when we do not know who is staying in the country, where they live, or if people with deportation orders have left the country, neither the police, security services, Försäkringskassan nor the social services can fulfill their obligations. Therefore, a census is needed to increase the possibility of monitoring that Swedish law is complied with, reduce benefit fraud, and ensure that people in socially vulnerable situations receive the help they actually have a right to.

Mr. Speaker! We have major problems with social exclusion today. In 2004, the Folkpartiet presented the report *Utanförskapets karta* (The Map of Social Exclusion) for the first time. Even then, we warned about the vulnerability in many residential areas, which should have prompted immediate action. But instead, all other parties chose to put a lid on it. The consequence today is that we have moved from a warning development to a profound crisis. This may sound like harsh criticism to some, but the truth is that security no longer covers all residents in Sweden today. Over half a million people live in areas where the rule of law has been pushed back, overcrowding is significant, school results are failing, and unemployment and crime are widespread. Of course, there is not a single solution to all these problems. It requires massive efforts and will take a long time, but an important piece of the puzzle is to conduct a census.

Mr. Speaker! Inaccuracies in the population register create problems for the entire society. The population registration data that Skatteverket has serves as the basis for several other authorities' decisions and actions. In order to gain control over who is in Sweden illegally and to combat welfare crime and organized crime, it is important that the state strengthens the control over the population register. Fraud with this type of data is often a link in organized crime.

We know that incorrect population registration data is used by criminals to, among other things, obtain welfare benefits and subsidies. There are calculations showing that this costs Swedish taxpayers up to 27 billion per year. An important tool for combating this fraud is a strengthened population registration. It gives the state better conditions to combat crime and prevent the emergence of exclusion, and it provides important knowledge in the work to counter problems such as, for example, overcrowding.

This important work that the government is now commissioning the Swedish Tax Agency to carry out will be performed in cooperation with other authorities, municipalities and property owners, as well as representatives for the local community. It is a very important measure, and I am very pleased that it is now becoming a reality.

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Marielle Lahti (MP)

Mr. Speaker! It is a central task for the state to maintain an efficient tax and customs system and an efficient management of debt. I thought I would read out these three agencies' visions, so let's see if you can guess which agency has which vision:

"Everyone pays and no one becomes over-indebted."

"Only approved goods across the border."

"Together we make society possible."

These three fantastic visions are central to us having the welfare society that we have today. They are the very foundation of the resources for school, healthcare, and elderly care. The importance of these three authorities cannot be overstated.

On the whole, Miljöpartiet does not have much to object to regarding the government's initiatives within expenditure area 3. On the other hand, we oppose that funds are allocated to Skatteverket to carry out a census as it has been formulated and proposed by the government. There are several reasons for this.

The state needs to do more to address gang crime. The shootings that plague Sweden must stop. Unfortunately, they are only the tip of an iceberg. Labor crime, exploitation of people, and a lack of social policy are underlying factors that have created the situation we find ourselves in today.

The Green Party has put forward a large number of proposals to reduce crime and increase integration. It is important that the policy is anchored in research and has a proven effect. If that principle is not followed, the state risks losing both time and effort on measures that will not improve the situation that one says one wants to improve.

Miljöpartiet considers that there are several measures that better meet the requirements of being justified based on what the research says about crime and therefore should be prioritized when state funds are allocated. Therefore, we oppose the allocation of funds to Skatteverket to carry out a census as it has been formulated and proposed by the government.

The deliberation was hereby concluded.

(A decision was to be taken on 20 December.)

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