VAT returns in Finland 2026
VAT returns in Finland are filed by companies registered in the Finnish VAT register. This obligation also applies to Polish companies if they have registered for VAT in Finland, either compulsorily or voluntarily.
In this guide, you'll find deadlines, zero-declaration rules, the MyTax process, VAT import, the VAT EU Recapitulative Statement, corrections, payments, and penalties. If you're just establishing your obligation, also check out VAT registration in Finland.
Who has to submit VAT returns in Finland?
Declarations are submitted by companies entered in the Finnish VAT register for the periods assigned by Vero. This obligation also applies to periods of inactivity and continues until the company is effectively removed from the register.
A company that is just checking whether it needs a VAT FI number should start with the VAT Registration in Finland.
Frequency and deadlines for filing VAT returns in Finland
The standard VAT settlement period in Finland is one month. Vero indicates that the deadline for VAT declaration and payment is generally the 12th day of the relevant month and cannot be extended.
Day of the month
The standard deadline for VAT returns and payments. If it falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
Monthly
The most common settlement rhythm. The March declaration is submitted and paid by May 12th.
Quarterly
In principle possible for an annual turnover of up to EUR 100,000 if a longer period has been reported or confirmed by Vero.
Annually
Generally possible for annual turnover up to €30,000. The deadline is the end of February of the following year.
Check the period assigned by Vero
The longer period is not automatic. The company should check the period in MyTax or Vero's decision, and immediately report the change if the turnover limit is exceeded. The current rules are described in Vero's instructions: how to complete a VAT return and when to submit and pay VAT.
Zero VAT declaration in Finland is mandatory
A company remaining in the VAT register must submit a declaration for the assigned period, even if it had no activity to demonstrate.
In MyTax, a declaration without activity is submitted by checking the No activities during the tax period. For paper forms, enter 0 in the Tax payable.
0% sales do not always mean inactivity
If a company had sales at a 0% rate with the right to deduct VAT, the period should not be treated as "no activity." Such turnover should be reported in the appropriate line of the declaration.
How to technically file a VAT return in Finland?
VAT returns in Finland are primarily filed electronically through MyTax. Vero also accepts API or Ilmoitin.fi, and paper forms are only required for exceptional situations.
Access to MyTax
Check who has the authority to act on behalf of the company and whether the advisor has the appropriate power of attorney.
Selecting the period
Select month, quarter or year, depending on the billing period assigned to your company.
Data collection
Prepare sales, purchases, imports, ITC, services, reverse charges, corrections and EU transactions.
Filling out the fields
Not every foreign transaction ends up in the same place. Analyze local sales, imports, and services separately.
Preview and shipping
Before sending, check totals, plus/minus signs, import, input VAT and summary information data.
Payment or refund
If your return shows VAT due, pay it by the same deadline. If there is a surplus, check the status of your refund.
Do you have a Finnish VAT number and periodic declarations?
Taxenlight can take over the calendar, data preparation, sending of declarations, corrections, VAT import and VAT EU Recapitulative Statement.
What transactions are reported in the VAT return in Finland?
The Finnish VAT return includes fields for domestic sales, intra-Community acquisitions and purchases of services, imports, reverse charge, EU sales, and input VAT. The tax classification of transactions is described in the VAT in Finland.
Domestic sales
The sales value and VAT due are entered in the fields appropriate for domestic sales.
WNT and purchase of services
The basis and VAT due on intra-Community acquisitions and purchases of services are entered in the appropriate fields of the declaration.
Import of goods
The import basis, VAT due and any deductions are reported in separate fields.
Reverse charge
Transactions settled by the buyer are reported in accordance with the appropriate declaration fields.
EU sales
Sales to other EU countries are also reported with summary information.
VAT charged
The deductible amount is shown as VAT charged for the period.
OSS and local declaration
The OSS declaration covers only sales falling under the relevant special scheme. It does not include local sales from a Finnish warehouse, intra-Community acquisitions, own goods movements, or imported VAT accounted for through a Finnish declaration.
Import VAT in VAT declaration in Finland
Imports are reported for the period in which the customs decision was issued. The date indicated on the decision is decisive.
The tax base is reported in the "Imports of goods from outside the EU", the VAT due in the " Tax on imports of goods from outside the EU", and the deductible amount is also reported as "Tax deductible for the tax period." Even exempt imports may require reporting the tax base.
What to prepare for VAT import?
- customs decision and date of its issue,
- the tax base for import VAT,
- the appropriate rate for the goods,
- confirmation of the right to deduction,
- compliance of the VAT period with the documentation.
Sources for import
When importing, it is worth comparing Tulli's instructions on import VAT with Vero's instructions on how to independently declare import VAT in the declaration.
VAT EU Recapitulative Statement – when should you submit the summary information?
The VAT EU Recapitulative Statement is a Finnish summary statement for selected EU transactions. It does not replace the standard VAT return; it operates alongside it and has a different deadline.
The information is submitted monthly, regardless of whether the company's regular VAT return is monthly, quarterly or annual.
Information is submitted when a Finnish VAT payer:
- sells goods to VAT payers in other EU countries,
- transfers goods to another EU country,
- participates in a triangular transaction,
- provides B2B services billed by the buyer in the EU.
Deadline for summary information
The VAT EU Recapitulative Statement is submitted by the 20th day of the month following the reporting month. If the deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, it is extended to the next business day.
Do EU sales, OSS and local VAT overlap?
We help you separate your reporting between the Finnish VAT return, summary information and OSS to avoid duplicating or missing transactions.
How to improve summary information?
When correcting a VAT EU Recapitulative Statement, the data relating to a specific buyer is corrected. Unlike with a replacement VAT return, all correct items are not repeated. The rules are described in the Vero manual: VAT EU Recapitulative Statement.
Refund of excess VAT from the Finnish declaration
A negative balance may be refunded after the return is processed. Payments are generally made within approximately one week of completion of processing, but not before the general due date of the month following the period.
Current account
The company should have a valid bank account registered in MyTax for refund payment.
Settlement of arrears
Vero may use the refund to cover back taxes instead of paying the entire amount into your account.
Interest rate in 2026.
The interest rate on the amounts refunded in 2026 is 0.5%.
VAT payment in Finland
If the VAT return shows an amount of tax payable, the VAT must be paid by the due date specified for the relevant period. The return must be submitted before the payment is made.
Data from MyTax
The bank account and relevant general tax reference number should be retrieved from your company account in MyTax.
Declaration before payment
First, submit a declaration and then make a transfer in the correct amount and on the due date indicated for the period.
Late payment
Interest is also payable after the due date. MyTax displays the outstanding amount along with the accrued interest.
Taxenlight advises
After sending the declaration, check two elements separately: whether the declaration has been accepted and whether the payment has been made in the correct amount and on time.
Correction of VAT declaration in Finland
If a company detects an error in its VAT return, it should correct it. The primary method of correction is a replacement VAT return, which replaces the previous settlement for a given period.
The declaration replaces the whole
Replacement return replaces the previous declaration in its entirety. You must reenter all data, not just the invalid fields.
- select the correct period in MyTax,
- indicate the reason for the correction,
- enter the complete set of corrected data,
- send a new declaration for the period.
A minor correction in the next declaration
If an error changes the VAT amount by up to €500, in certain cases, a correction can be included in the next return. This must be done no later than the due date of that return. This solution does not apply to informational errors only.
When is a replacement return needed?
Information errors and errors relating to, among others, EU VAT-exempt sales, reverse charge sales, and sales taxed at a 0% rate require a replacement return for the original period. Errors must be corrected without delay.
Penalties, interest and VAT assessment in Finland
Late VAT returns in Finland can result in penalties, interest, and tax assessments. A penalty may also be imposed if the return is zero or does not show any VAT payable.
Per day
For the first 45 days of delay, the fine may be €3 per day, with a maximum of €135.
After 45 days
After 45 days, the penalty may amount to 135 euros and 2% of the tax declared after the deadline.
Penalty limit
The maximum fine can be €15,000 for each type of tax.
Interest 2026
In 2026, late payment interest on self-assessed taxes is 9.5% per annum.
The most common errors when filing VAT returns in Finland
Most problems arise when a company treats the declaration as a simple form, instead of a repeatable process with data control, payment and archiving.
No declaration for the period of inactivity
A company remaining on the register must report each assigned period.
Confusion between day 12 and day 20
The VAT declaration and VAT EU Recapitulative Statement have different deadlines.
Imports in bad times
Imports are reported according to the date of issue of the customs decision.
500 EUR correction for informative data
Information errors require a replacement return for the original period.
Report discrepancy
The VAT declaration and VAT EU Recapitulative Statement should contain consistent data.
Want to sort out your VAT returns in Finland?
We'll discuss deadlines, MyTax, zero-tax returns, VAT import, the VAT EU Recapitulative Statement, corrections, and the data submission process. After our conversation, you'll understand where the risks lie and how to set your settlement calendar.
VAT Returns Finland 2026 – Key Conclusions
Successful settlement of Finnish VAT is based on three elements: the correct period and deadline, correct allocation of transactions and control of payment or refund in MyTax.
Period and proper date
The company reports each period assigned by Vero, even inactive periods. Declarations and payments are generally due on the 12th day, and the VAT EU Recapitulative Statement on the 20th day.
Import and corrections
Import VAT is applied to the period resulting from the customs decision date. Errors are corrected with a replacement return, and the simplification of up to €500 does not apply to information errors.
Payment and refund in MyTax
MyTax checks the account, reference number, arrears with interest, and refund status. A current bank account speeds up the payment of VAT overpayments.
FAQ: VAT returns in Finland 2026
Frequently asked questions about deadlines, MyTax, nil returns, VAT import, VAT EU Recapitulative Statement, corrections and penalties.
How often are VAT returns filed in Finland?
The standard period is one month. A quarterly period is generally possible for turnover up to €100,000, and an annual period for turnover up to €30,000 if a longer period is reported or confirmed by Vero.
What is the deadline for VAT returns in Finland?
The standard due date is the 12th day of the relevant month. For monthly billing, this is the 12th day of the second month following the billing month.
Can the VAT declaration deadline be extended?
Vero points out that VAT return deadlines cannot be extended. If a company files late, a penalty may be imposed.
Do I need to submit a zero VAT return in Finland?
A company remaining on the VAT register must submit a declaration for the assigned period even if it is inactive. However, sales at a 0% rate with the right to deduct must be reported and the period must not be marked as "no activity.".
How to submit a VAT return in MyTax?
The declaration is primarily submitted via MyTax after selecting the appropriate period. API and Ilmoitin.fi are also available, and the paper form is intended only for exceptional situations.
How to settle import VAT in the declaration?
Imports are reported for the period indicated by the date of the customs decision. The import basis, output VAT, and deductible VAT are reported separately.
What is the VAT EU Recapitulative Statement?
This is Finnish summary information for selected EU transactions, including sales of goods to VAT payers from other EU countries and B2B services settled by the buyer.
What is the deadline for the VAT EU Recapitulative Statement?
The summary report must be submitted by the 20th day of the month following the reporting month. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it is extended to the next business day.
How to correct your VAT return in Finland?
The basic method of correction is a replacement VAT return, which replaces the previous declaration for a given period. All data must be re-entered.
When can a correction of up to EUR 500 be applied?
If the error affects the VAT amount by up to EUR 500, the correction can, in certain cases, be included at the latest in the return due date following the discovery of the error. This does not apply to information errors.
How to pay VAT in Finland?
You must first file your return, then use the bank account and general tax reference number shown in MyTax. Any interest accrued after the due date must also be paid.
What are the penalties and interest for late payment?
For the first 45 days, the penalty is €3 per day, up to a maximum of €135. After that, it can increase to €135 plus 2% tax, up to €15,000. Late payment interest is 9.5% per annum in 2026.
How does the VAT excess refund work?
A negative balance can be paid after the return is processed, usually within about a week of completion. Vero can apply the refund to the outstanding balance, and the company must maintain a current bank account with MyTax.
