How to start and run an enterprise in Norway

You must pay the advance tax the same year as you earn the money. The amount of advance tax you pay is based on the profit you expect to make.

You're responsible for notifying the Tax Administration about how much profit you expect to make. This is called applying for advance tax.

The advance tax is not final. After the income year, you must submit a tax return with information about your profit. The Tax Administration then calculates if you're required to pay underpaid tax or if you'll receive a return on your taxes. This calculation is called a tax assessment.

If you have a D number, you apply for advance tax by submitting form RF-1209.

If you have a national identity number, you can log in to apply for advance tax.

When your application has been processed, you'll receive a letter with information about how much advance tax you must pay. The advance tax is paid in 4 instalments and the payment deadlines are 15 March, 15 June, 15 September and 15 December.

If you earn more or less than the amount you stated in the application, you can log in to change your advance tax or submit form RF-1209 again.

Next year, your advance tax will be set automatically based on your business income this year. If the expected income is incorrect, you can change your advance tax.

You must have an electronic ID (BankID or MinID). You'll need one to submit the tax return, among other things.

Starting the year after you register your enterprise, you must submit your tax return and income statement online by 31 May.

In your tax return and income statement, you, among other things, declare the amount of advance tax you have paid, the amount of income your enterprise has generated, and the deductions your enterprise is entitled to.

You'll receive a tax assessment notice between August and October, which will show if you're required to pay underpaid tax or if you'll receive a return on your taxes. You're responsible for checking that the tax assessment is correct.

Read more about the tax return and the tax assessment.

When you run a sole proprietorship, you do not receive a salary. Instead, you're required to invoice your customers for the goods and services you sell, or to receive payment using a cash register system.

You must keep accounts if your business income is higher than NOK 50,000 per year. You must also retain accounting documentation for 5 years.

Read more about accounting.

You must register your enterprise in the VAT Register if your turnover is more than NOK 50,000 during a twelve month period and you sell goods and services that are liable for VAT.

Find out if you must register your enterprise in the Value Added Tax Register (in Norwegian only).

When your enterprise is registered, you must collect VAT from customers when you sell goods and services. You must also submit the tax return for VAT to the Tax Administration every other month, where you declare how much VAT your enterprise has collected when selling goods and services and how much VAT it has paid when buying goods and services.

Read more about VAT.

If you're an employer, you're required to pay the correct salaries, set up written employment contracts and ensure a safe working environment for your employees. You must also submit the a-melding and deduct and pay tax from your employees' salaries.

See an overview of your obligations as an employer.

Catering establishments, hairdressers, beauticians, and car repair and car care enterprises must keep a staff register.

If you provide building and construction or cleaning services, you must ensure that you and all your employees have an HSE card.

Find out how you can help your foreign workers start working quickly.

When you stop your commercial activity, it's important that you take the necessary steps. You may have obligations and returns to submit even after you've closed your enterprise.