Finland: Carlsberg found guilty of tax evasion

The Danish brewery giant Carlsberg has been found guilty of tax evasion amounting to 317 million kroner in Finland, according to Børsen business newspaper.

On top of a 276 million kroner tax fine, a court in Helsinki fined the brewery 41 million kroner for failing to pay proper taxes between the years 2006 and 2010 via its subsidiary Sinebrychoff.

According to reports, Carlsberg set up a special framework in Finland to avoid paying taxes.

“In the period between 2006 and 2010 we withheld an amount that we believed we paid too much in tax,” Jens Bekke, Carlsberg’s head of communication, was quoted by the Ritzau news agency.

“In 2010 we paid the tax in arrears, interest for the period and a smaller fine. Since then we have paid tax as normal.”

Carlsberg assumed control of Sinebrychoff back in 1999, but the tax evasion didn’t begin until 2006, the court found.

The Finish authorities have decided that Carlsberg should continue to pay tax according to the current regulations – a decision that the brewery is considering appealing against.

“Over the next 14 days, we will decide whether we will appeal against the case and continue it,” Bekke said.

“If we win, we will receive that amount in overpaid tax.”

30 April, 2014