An example could be (pharmaceutical company) Astra Zeneca. We know that there is a lot of research and development there and we want that type of company to exist in Sweden and not move to countries that have other types of and better tax incentives, says Svantesson.
In practice, the new deduction would be added to the existing deduction from the employer's fee for employees working with research and development.
Proposal in January 2026
The investigation is to examine, according to an additional directive, how different types of tax incentives are used in other OECD and EU countries and present a proposal by January 2026.
Companies' expenses for research and development in Sweden amounted to 223 billion kronor last year, according to the Ministry of Finance. However, no calculation of how large the loss of tax revenue would be from a new deduction exists, according to Svantesson.
No, we don't have that.
"Creates growth"
Svantesson dismisses the risk that Sweden, by competing with tax deductions, would contribute to an international spiral of tax cuts that could eventually erode the financing of welfare, defense, or other parts of the state apparatus.
It's precisely the opposite. If companies disappear from Sweden, which they risk doing if we have a weaker position than others, then our economy will shrink or risk not growing at the same rate, says Svantesson.
We want to keep companies here and we would like more companies to move here. That's what creates growth and tax revenue in the long run, she adds.
The investigation into tax rules that favor research and development is to, according to an additional directive, map out how tax incentives are used to attract investments in research and development in EU and OECD countries. The investigator is also to present a proposal for an incentive in the form of a deduction on income tax based on what companies have in expenses for research and development.
The ongoing investigation will, due to the additional directive, be extended until January 2026, but the original assignment is to be reported in January 2025.
