April 07, 2025
An NUF is a Norwegian branch of a foreign company that conducts business in Norway while the company's headquarters remain in another country. Registering an NUF allows foreign businesses to legally operate in Norway without having to establish a separate Norwegian company.
NUFs are subject to Norwegian tax regulations, which means they must file an annual tax return (skattemelding) and comply with local accounting standards. In practice, NUFs have similar reporting requirements as Norwegian limited liability companies (AS).
Every company, including foreign branches, is taxed in Norway according to domestic tax laws. The final taxation is assessed by the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), taking into account bilateral tax treaties. Nevertheless, any branch operating in Norway is required to submit a tax return for its business activities in the previous fiscal year.
The standard deadline for submitting an annual tax return for businesses in Norway is May 31 of the year following the tax year. This applies to both sole proprietorships (enkeltpersonforetak) and NUF branches. However, this deadline may be subject to change, so it is advisable to regularly check for updates on the official Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) website.
The tax return is prepared and submitted through the Altinn portal. To access this platform, businesses must obtain either a temporary or permanent Norwegian personal number (d-nummer or fødselsnummer). An authorized accounting firm can also prepare and submit the tax return on behalf of the branch.
Failure to meet tax return deadlines or submitting incorrect information may result in financial penalties. Therefore, it is crucial to strictly adhere to deadlines and ensure the accuracy of submitted data.
Due to the complexity of the Norwegian tax system, many business owners choose to collaborate with local accounting firms or tax advisors. Professional support can help ensure compliance with tax obligations and avoid potential issues with the tax authorities.
Author:Anna Korpalska
Source:Skatteetaten
Graphic Design: Created with the assistance of ChatGPT, an OpenAI language model.
What is an NUF?
An NUF is a Norwegian branch of a foreign company that conducts business in Norway while the company's headquarters remain in another country. Registering an NUF allows foreign businesses to legally operate in Norway without having to establish a separate Norwegian company.
Tax Obligations of NUFs
NUFs are subject to Norwegian tax regulations, which means they must file an annual tax return (skattemelding) and comply with local accounting standards. In practice, NUFs have similar reporting requirements as Norwegian limited liability companies (AS).
However, certain exceptions to taxation rules may apply under bilateral tax treaties to avoid double taxation.
Summary
Every company, including foreign branches, is taxed in Norway according to domestic tax laws. The final taxation is assessed by the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten), taking into account bilateral tax treaties. Nevertheless, any branch operating in Norway is required to submit a tax return for its business activities in the previous fiscal year.
Tax Return Deadlines
The standard deadline for submitting an annual tax return for businesses in Norway is May 31 of the year following the tax year. This applies to both sole proprietorships (enkeltpersonforetak) and NUF branches. However, this deadline may be subject to change, so it is advisable to regularly check for updates on the official Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) website.
Filing a Tax Return in Norway
The tax return is prepared and submitted through the Altinn portal. To access this platform, businesses must obtain either a temporary or permanent Norwegian personal number (d-nummer or fødselsnummer). An authorized accounting firm can also prepare and submit the tax return on behalf of the branch.
Penalties for Late Submission and Errors
Failure to meet tax return deadlines or submitting incorrect information may result in financial penalties. Therefore, it is crucial to strictly adhere to deadlines and ensure the accuracy of submitted data.
Support for Entrepreneurs
Due to the complexity of the Norwegian tax system, many business owners choose to collaborate with local accounting firms or tax advisors. Professional support can help ensure compliance with tax obligations and avoid potential issues with the tax authorities.
Regularly monitoring regulatory changes and timely fulfillment of tax obligations are key to your company's success in Norway.
Have You Conducted Business in Norway in 2024? Time to Submit Your Annual Tax Return!
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Graphic Design: Created with the assistance of ChatGPT, an OpenAI language model.
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