Local government tax revenues in Finland Tallinn 13.11.2018 Henrik Rainio, Director, Municipal Finances The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
Municipalities in Finland The responsibility of municipalities for social services, healthcare, educational and cultural services, public infrastructure as well as the organisation of other welfare services is extremely significant by international and also European standards. Local government accounts for two-thirds of public consumption in Finland. The ratio of the total expenditure of local government to GDP has been about 20% in recent years. Local government employs about one fifth of the total Finnish labour force. Municipalities have the right to tax the earned income of their inhabitants (municipal income taxation) and municipalities are paid tax on the basis of the value of real property (tax on real property). Municipalities are also entitled to a share of corporate income tax. 2 14.11.2018
Total municipal sector expenditure and income for 2017 Salaries and wages 36 % 15,9 billion Social security funds and pensions 10 % Social welfare and health care 48 % 21,1 billion Tax revenues 51 % 22,6 billion Income tax 43 % Corporate tax 4 % Real estate tax 4 % Purchase of goods 8 % Purcahse of services 22 % Subsidies 5 % Loan costs 5 % Investments 11 % Other 3 % Education and Culture 31 % 13,6 billion Other 15 % 6,6 billion Financing 6 %, 2,7 billion State grants 19 % 8,5 billion Sales of goods and services 21 % 9,2 billion Borrowing 5 %, 2,4 mrd. Other revenues 4 %, 1,8 mrd. External income 44,8 billion and expenditure 44,3 billion 9.8.2018/mm Source: Basic Public Service Programme /Local and Regional Government Finland
% 50 45 Tax rate Taxes/GDP in Finland, % 1975-2021** After the social and health care reform % 50 45 40 Social security fund 35 30 25 Central government taxes 20 15 State grants 10 5 Municipal taxes 0 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10 15 20e 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Lähde: Vuodet 1975-2016 Tilastokeskus, ennusteet VM 22.9.2017/MP
Central government and municipal tax financing 2017, billion Financing of statutory tasks State grants 8,5 1,7 Municipality tax revenues 22,5 1,9 18,9 6,2 Central government tax revenues 43,1 4,2 2,9 29,8 VAT and other taxes Real estate tax Personal income tax Corporate income tax Capital income tax 30.10.2018
Tax revenues % of total income 2017 Tax revenues (personal income tax, real estate tax, corporate income tax) as percentage of municipalities total revenues. Highest tax income: 1. Kauniainen (82,5 %) 2. Kirkkonummi (78,3 %) 3. Espoo (78,2 %) 4. Masku (74,8 %) 5. Vihti (74,6 %) Lowest tax income: 307. Virrat (27,9 %) 308. Pihtipudas (27,9 %) 309. Ranua (27,6 %) 310. Kannonkoski (27,2 %) 311. Miehikkälä (24,3 %) KL/MS 26.10.2018 Lähde: Tilastokeskus, 2018 Aluejaot MML, 2017 6 14.11.2018
State grants % of total income 2017 State grants % of total income 2017 as percentage of municipalities total revenues. Highest state grants: 1. Ranua (58,1 %) 2. Rääkkylä (54,3 %) 3. Vesanto (53,6 %) 4. Kärsämäki (53,2 %) 5. Geta (53,1 %) Lowest state grants: 307. Pirkkala (8,65 %) 308. Maarianhamina (8,24 %) 309. Helsinki (4,50 %) 310. Espoo (1,91 %) 311. Kauniainen (-0,01 %) KL/MS 26.10.2018 Lähde: Tilastokeskus, 2018 Aluejaot MML, 2017 7 14.11.2018
22.2.2018 Local government tax revenues in 2016-2019, billion Tax type 2016 2017 2018 2019 Municipal income tax 18,89 18,92 18,88 19,96 Corporate tax 1,54 1,90 1,86 2,06 Real estate tax 1,67 1,72 1,82 1,86 Total tax revenues 22,10 22,54 22,56 23,88 Change, %: Municipal income tax 2,0 0,2-0,2 5,7 Corporate tax -6,3 23,4-2,1 10,8 Real estate tax 4,1 3,0 5,8 2,2 Total tax revenues 1,5 2,0 0,1 5,9 Average income tax rate 19,85 19,90 19,86 19,86 Corporate tax rate 20,0 20,0 20,0 20,0
Municipal income tax The municipal income tax is the most important source of revenue for municipalities. Municpalites decide the tax rate. The central government decide on deductions. The municipal income tax is the corner stone of local self government. The tax encourage municipalites to be effective and use the budget wisely, because othwerwise they need to rise the taxes of the residents. 9 14.11.2018
Municipal income tax rates 2018 The average tax rates: - weighted by income 19,86 % - arithmetic mean 20,76 % Highest Korkeimmat: rates Lowest Matalimmat: rates Jämijärvi 22,50 Punkalaidun 22,00 Jomala 16,50 Reisjärvi 22,50 Rautalampi 22,00 Brändö 16,75 Municipal tax rate Teuva 22,50 Rautavaara 22,00 Lemland 16,75 Pelkosenniemi 22,25 Ruovesi 22,00 Kauniainen 17,00 Vehmaa 22,25 Raasepori 22,00 Saltvik 17,00 Vimpeli 22,25 Savonlinna 22,00 Hammarland 17,25 Haapajärvi 22,00 Siikainen 22,00 Föglö 17,50 Haapavesi 22,00 Siikajoki 22,00 Geta 17,50 Halsua 22,00 Simo 22,00 Maarianhamina 17,50 Hankasalmi 22,00 Siikalatva 22,00 Espoo 18,00 Honkajoki 22,00 Tuusniemi 22,00 Eurajoki 18,00 Humppila 22,00 Veteli 22,00 Helsinki 18,00 Hämeenkyrö 22,00 Ähtäri 22,00 Sottunga 18,00 Isojoki 22,00 Eckerö 18,50 Karijoki 22,00 Luhanka 18,50 Kaskinen 22,00 Kustavi 18,75 Kauhajoki 22,00 Finström 19,00 Konnevesi 22,00 Inari 19,00 Kruunupyy 22,00 Kumlinge 19,00 Multia 22,00 Naantali 19,00 Mänttä-Vilppula 22,00 Sysmä 19,00 Orivesi 22,00 Vantaa 19,00 Paltamo 22,00 Vårdö 19,00 Parkano 22,00 Kerava 19,25 Pieksämäki 22,00 Sipoo 19,25 Kuntarajat: MML 4.12.2017 / hp Lähde: Kuntaliiton tiedustelu
Local government income tax rate 1998-2018 % % The Central government has increased tax deductions over time. 20,0 19,0 18,0 20,0 19,0 18,0 Average income tax rate (nominal tax rate) 17,0 17,0 16,0 16,0 The nominal tax rate has increased, but the effective tax rate has been stable over time. 15,0 14,0 15,0 14,0 Average effective tax income tax rate (tax/salary) 13,0 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18e 13,0 22.2.2018
Real estate tax The real estate tax i a fully municipal tax. Traditionally the tax has been relatively low. Municipalites can set a tax rate for diffrerent kind of buildings within the limits defined by law. The role has incresed during last years due to central government actions and local government decisions. The real estate taxation will be fully modernized from 2022 12 14.11.2018
Real estate tax rates Real estate tax is set by the local municipal council and is calculated as a percentage of the taxable value of the property. Municipalities can set their own tax rates within the ranges» 0.93% 2,00 % for general real estate tax» 0.41% 1.00 % for permanent residences» 0.93% 2,00 % for other residences» 2.00% 6.00 % for unbuilt sites 13 14.11.2018
Real estate tax revenue 2004 2021 (billion ) 14
Share of corporate taxation The corporate income tax rate in Finland is 20 %. Municpalities share of the tax revenue is 31,35 % and the central governments share is 68,65 %. The municipal share is divided to each municipality based on 1) number of employees working in the municipality and 2) forestry income.» For example: if Rovio has employees only in Espoo, the corporate tax paid by Rovio will increase the tax incomes of Espoo.» For example: if Neste Oil has employees in Porvoo and Espoo, the corporate tax paid by Neste Oil will increase the tax incomes of Porvoo and Espoo based by the number of emplyees in each municipality.» The forestry income is an old compensation for the big tax reform in the early 90s. Because of the corporate tax share, municipalities have an incentive to increase the operating circumstanes for companies. 15 14.11.2018
Thank you! Henrik Rainio Director, Municipal Finances The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (Suomen Kuntaliitto ry) Toinen linja 14, 00530 Helsinki + 358 50 596 9635 henrik.rainio@kuntaliitto.fi