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Designing Net Asset-Based Income-Splitting Rules under Dual Income Tax Cover

Designing Net Asset-Based Income-Splitting Rules under Dual Income Tax

By: S. Kari and  O. Ropponen  
Open Access
|May 2025

Figures & Tables

Optimal normal rates of return in selected special cases_

ρsiTax ratessOptimal normal rate of return, iNote
Risk-Free Interest Rate, r = 4 %
Simple Case0,03700,026τd = τc = τf = τs=0i = (1–τ)ρ
Case 2A0,0370,4170,029τd = τc > τfs>0i = (1 – τf)ρ
Case 3A0,0370,4170,015τd > τc > τfs>0i=τfτd*(1τd)ρτd*=τdτcτf(1τf)
Risky Interest Rate, r = 9.4 %
Simple Case0,08000,056τd = τc = τf = τs=0i = (1 – τ)ρ
Case 2A0,0800,4170,064τd = τc > τfs>0i = (1 – τf)ρ
Case 3A0,0800,4170,033τd > τc > τfs>0i=τfτd*(1τd)ρτd*=τdτcτf(1τf)

Splitting of income from closely held companies under DIT in 2021_

NorwaySwedenFinland
Which dividends are subject to split/imputed income method?Dividends (and realized gains) received by individuals from all companiesDividends received by active owners of CHCs (1)Dividends of all owners of non-listed companies
What income is subject to split/imputed income methodDividends and capital gainsDividendsDividends
How is the imputed rate of return determined?After-tax interest on 3-month gov. bonds; 2021Government bond rate plus 9 percentage points; 2021Fixed, 8%
What is the asset base?Adjusted purchase price of sharesAdjusted purchase price of sharesNet assets of the non-listed company
Other elements-The imputed income includes a “wage addendum”. The owner may choose a “simplification rule” instead of dividend split. (2)-
Tax treatment of the imputed normal return on shares (normal dividend)Tax-exemptTaxed as capital income at reduced rate of 20%Up to 150,000 euros, 25% of normal dividend is included in taxable capital income and of the amount exceeding this threshold 85% is included in taxable capital income
Tax treatment of dividend that exceeds the normal return (excess dividend)Excess dividend factored by 1.44 and the amount is included in taxable capital income (alminnelig inntekt). The effective marginal tax rate is 31.68%Full inclusion as labor income (progressive schedule)75% included in taxable labor income (progressive schedule)
Highest tax rate on excess dividend31.68% (flat rate)52% (progressive schedule)42% (progressive schedule)
Carry-forward rulesYesYesNo

Optimal imputed rates of return in selected special cases_

Tax RatesParameter sOptimal Normal Rate of Return
Simple Case: τd = τc = τf = τs=0i = (1–τ)ρFinland 1993-2004 (original)
Case 2A: τd = τc>τfs=τcτf(1τf)τci = (1–τf)ρMinistry of Finance Proposal in 2010
Case 2B: τd = τc>τfs=0i=τfτc(1τc)ρ
Case 3A: τd>τc>τfs=τcτf(1τf)τci=τf*τd*(1τd)ρ;τd*=τdτcτf1τfCurrent Finnish System (applied from 2005 on)
Case 3B: τd>τc>τfs=0i=τfτd(1τd)ρ

Main aspects of the dual income tax systems of Norway, Sweden, and Finland in 2021_

NorwaySwedenFinland
Corporate tax rate (τf)22%20.6%20%
Personal tax rate on capital income (τc)22%30%30% up to 30,000 euros, 34% above that
Highest MTR on earned income (τe)53% (includes ssc)66% (employer’ ssc included)55%
Does net capital income form a separate tax base?No, capital income from all sources is included in “alminnelig inntekt”, which also includes labor income. It is subject to the flat tax rate of 22%.Yes, net capital income from all sources forms a separate tax baseYes, net capital income from nearly all sources is a separate tax base (interest income excluded)
Taxation of interest incomeIncluded in taxable capital incomeIncluded in taxable capital incomeFinal withholding tax, 30%
Integration of corporation and personal income tax, main rulePartial double taxation: dividends and capital gains in excess of imputed normal return included in taxable capital incomeDouble taxation: dividends are included in taxable capital incomePartial double taxation: 85% of dividends (from listed corporations) are included in taxable capital income
Language: English
Page range: 25 - 43
Submitted on: Sep 30, 2023
Accepted on: Jun 10, 2024
Published on: May 19, 2025
Published by: DJØF Publishing, Nordic Tax Research Council
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2025 S. Kari, O. Ropponen, published by DJØF Publishing, Nordic Tax Research Council
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.