Berry picking companies that buy berries from so-called free pickers can get to pay employer contributions and pay tax on purchases. They can be considered as employers if they, for example, arrange for accommodation, transport or food, writes the Tax Authority in a press release.
Since many foreign staffing companies have mismanaged themselves, and are no longer allowed to operate here, more and more berry companies have engaged so-called free pickers.
But the Tax Authority does not buy the setup straight away. If the berry companies help the pickers, they should be seen as employers and pay for themselves, otherwise the competition is distorted, according to the Tax Authority.
When the Tax Authority has checked 28 berry picking companies, errors have been found in 60 percent of the companies. Most common is unreported invoicing and unreported VAT.
