Finland Updates Tax Payment Process

The Finnish Tax Administration has announced an important update to the way companies must pay their taxes. From 18 November 2025, a new single payment reference system will apply to incorporated entities in Finland. This change affects how businesses pay VAT and other self-assessed taxes, and it aims to simplify the allocation of payments.

A Single General Tax Reference Number

From the implementation date, companies and organisations must use one general tax reference number for all tax payments. This replaces the previous system in which multiple reference numbers were required for different taxes.

Payments made using this new reference number will be automatically allocated to the correct tax types for the same taxpayer, reducing the risk of misallocation.

What does this mean for businesses?

Payment references are being updated. It is essential to ensure that you are using the correct, updated payment reference number. Any payment instructions you send must reflect the new format.

Key points to keep in mind:

• The new reference number is company-specific. Each company will receive its own general reference number, which can be consulted in taxpayers' profile in the online portal.
• Existing reference numbers will still function for the time being, although it is not clear how long they will remain valid.
• For clients whose VAT returns are still submitted by post (certain non-established businesses), the updated payment reference must be obtained directly from the Finnish Tax Administration by phone.

Who Does the Change Apply To?

This update applies only to incorporated entities, including non-established businesses VAT registered in Finland.

Private individuals, sole entrepreneurs, and operators in agriculture or forestry will continue to use their existing reference numbers.

Other Important Changes Announced

The Finnish Tax Administration has also communicated several additional updates that businesses should be aware of:

• No more interest on prepaid tax balances: Taxpayer account balances paid in advance will no longer accrue interest. However, credit interest applied to refunds remains unchanged.
• Immediate refunds: Refunds of self-assessed taxes will no longer be held for future periods. They will be paid out immediately after processing.
• Refund options removed from MyTax: The functionality to request refunds in MyTax was removed on 19 August 2025.
• Tax summaries only available in MyTax: Paper summaries have been discontinued, and summaries will now be provided exclusively through MyTax.

Learn more about this update in the official announcement.