Veronpalautus (Tax Refund)
The annual tax return and refund process in Finland, where Vero reconciles taxes paid with taxes owed and issues refunds or residual tax bills.
Detailed explanation
Finland's tax system operates on a prepayment basis - taxes are withheld from your salary throughout the year based on your tax card (verokortti) rate. In the spring following each tax year, Vero sends you a pre-completed tax return (esitäytetty veroilmoitus) containing income and deduction information gathered from employers, banks, and other sources.
You review this return, add any missing deductions (such as commuting costs, unemployment fund fees, or work-related purchases), and submit corrections if needed. Vero then calculates the final tax amount. If you paid more than owed, the difference is refunded. Refunds are typically paid between July and December, depending on your personal schedule. If you owe additional tax, you receive payment instructions.
How it affects expats
- First year: Your first partial year in Finland often results in a tax refund because the tax card rate assumes a full year of income
- Check deductions: Review your pre-completed return carefully
- Vero may not know about all your eligible deductions
- OmaVero: Use Vero's online service at vero.fi to review and submit your tax return
- available in English
- Common deductions: Commuting costs, unemployment fund fees, and certain moving expenses may be deductible. Trade union fees and home office costs are no longer deductible for wage earners from tax year 2026
- Deadline: You must check and correct your return by the personal deadline shown on the form (usually in April or May)
Key details
- Pre-completed return: Sent by Vero in March–April for the previous tax year
- Refund schedule: Paid between July and December, based on your assigned date
- Residual tax: If you owe money, payment is due in 1–2 installments later in the year
- Interest: Vero pays interest on refunds and charges interest on residual tax
- OmaVero: Online portal at vero.fi for managing your tax affairs
Related terms
- Veroprosentti (Tax Rate): your tax card percentage
- Ennakkoperintä (Tax Withholding): the prepaid tax system
- OmaVero: Vero's online tax service