Tax card and tax counseling

If you work in construction, you need a tax number (veronumero) and a tax card. You can apply for both at the Helsinki Area Tax Office at Hämeentie 15. The service is available both by appointment and as a walk-in service. Bring along your employment contract as well as a valid passport or identity.

You usually get a tax card  right away when you visit the Vero service desk, if you have a Finnish Personal Identity Code and required information about your income. More information about tax cards

Your employer needs it to pay your salary and to make a withholding of the right amount. Please ask your employer for instructions on where and how to deliver your tax card for the payroll. If you do not provide your tax card, your employer must withhold 60 percent of your salary.

You need a tax card only if you have taxable income. In case you are currently not working, you don’t necessarily need a tax card. Please note that if you work for a foreign employer while living in Finland, under certain circumstances, you will have to pay your taxes in Finland. It is also noteworthy that some social benefits are subject to tax. In case you receive e.g. unemployment benefit, please deliver an appropriate tax card to Kela or other payer of the benefit.

No. Nor does for example a Finnish personal identity code, identification card or driving license prove right to work. If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, your right to work need to be checked from your residence permit. In case of a citizen of an EU/EEA or Nordic country, right to work can be proved by a passport.

It is also worth noting that EU citizens must register their right of residence if their stay in Finland lasts more than 3 months.

Every year in March or April, you will receive your pre-completed tax return in MyTax and by post. This includes information the tax administration has about your income and assets for the previous year. Check your tax return and make the necessary corrections and additions by the stated deadline. If all the information is correct, you do not need to do anything. Your tax return also states if you can expect a tax refund or if you have to pay back taxes.

You can request a personal identity code from:

• The Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV)
• The Finnish Tax Administration (Vero), if you need a personal identity code for tax purposes, such as for a tax card. However, the Finnish Tax Administration’s service desk at International House Helsinki (IHH) does not issue personal identity codes.
• The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), when you are granted a residence permit, a residence card, or when your right of residence is registered.