Instructions for paying value-added tax
VAT is a self-assessed tax. This means that you must take responsibility for first calculating the amount of VAT and for then paying it. This also means that there will be no letter from the Tax Administration to indicate the VAT amount to pay. Likewise, no decision, bank transfer form or invoice will arrive to you.
How to pay
You can pay the VAT in MyTax or or in your e-bank, for example.
When you use MyTax, the required information for payment will be included automatically. Your VAT will be charged from your bank account immediately, so you cannot edit or change the date.
MyTax will calculate the amount based on the VAT return you have filed. The amount you see will be the sum – valid today – of the VAT and late-payment interest, if any. If necessary, you can change the amount. How to pay in MyTax:
Here is how to use MyTax to send payments, if you are an individual, a self-employed operator of trade or business, or an operator of agriculture and forestry:
-
Go to Payment status on the home page and click Paying taxes and payment details.
-
You can proceed to pay a tax by clicking the link at the tax in question.
If you do not see the tax you are looking for, go to Payment details for all taxes and select Self-assessed taxes.
Here is how to use MyTax for paying taxes for a company (Oy), a partnership, an association, a public sector organisation or other corporate taxpayer:
-
Go to Payment status on the home page and click Paying taxes and payment details.
-
Corporate taxpayers use the single general reference number for taxes in their tax payments. Go to Making payments using the general reference number for taxes and select the Pay taxes link.
Further information about the general reference number for taxes
However, you have the option to pay taxes through your e-bank instead of MyTax. In that case, the Tax Administration’s bank account number and the reference number must be typed in.
The paid VAT will show in MyTax in 1–2 business days, booked against your MyTax balance. Up until the due date, VAT will stay displayed among “taxes falling due soon,” even though you make the payment before the due date.
Bank account numbers and reference numbers
If you pay the VAT in your e-bank, for example, you will need a reference number and the Tax Administration’s bank account number. The payment recipient is Verohallinto (i.e. the Finnish Tax Administration).
After submitting the period’s VAT return, you will be able to look up the above numbers in MyTax. How to check the information you need for paying:
Here is how to use MyTax to verify the information you need for payments, if you are an individual, a self-employed operator of trade or business, or an operator of agriculture and forestry:
-
Go to Payment status on the home page and click Paying taxes and payment details.
-
Select the View payment details button at the appropriate tax.
If you do not see the tax you are looking for, go to Payment details for all taxes and select Self-assessed taxes.
Here is how to use MyTax for verifying the information you need for payments for a company (Oy), a partnership, an association, a public sector organisation, other corporate taxpayer:
-
Go to Payment status on the home page and click Paying taxes and payment details.
-
Find the single general reference number for taxes and the Tax Administration’s bank account numbers at the top of the page under Making payments using the general reference number for taxes.
Further information about the general reference number for taxes
If you cannot use MyTax, you can request payment details by calling 029 497 026 (Tax Administration’s service number for payments; standard call rates apply).
Yet another way to verify the information you need for payments is to use an API interface. Read more about API interfaces.
Due dates
The frequency of filing and payment depends on how long your tax period (verokausi; skatteperiod) is. The due date is the 12th day of the month, unless the 12th falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday. In that case, the due date is extended to the next business day.
File and pay your VAT every month. The due date is the 12th of the second month after the reportable month.
Example: For March, you must file and pay VAT by 12 May.
The tax period and the time for paying value-added taxes is every 3 months. Quarterly due dates:
- For January, February and March: 12 May
- For April, May and June: 12 August
- For July, August and September: 12 November
- For October, November and December: 12 February
Your reportable tax period is the calendar year, and the time for paying VAT is once a year. Your yearly due date is the end of February.
Example: For 2025, your due date for VAT filing and payment would be 2 March 2026 (end of February 2026 will fall on a Saturday).
Filing frequency: the length of your tax period
In general, the default value is the calendar month. This is your reportable “tax period”. However, small companies having a lower turnover can submit an application for longer periods for VAT reporting – quarterly and annually. Read more about tax periods.
If you pay late
If you pay your VAT after the due date, you must add late-payment interest to the sum total. For 2025, the rate is 11.5% per annum. Start date for the interest is next day after the due date – end date is the day when you make the payment. Read more about the late-payment interest.
Please pay the late-payment interest together with the VAT itself. When you use MyTax for paying, the late-payment interest will already be included in the final amount. You can figure out the exact amount with the Interest calculator.
Need an extension of time to pay your VAT?
If you have temporary financial difficulties, you can ask for a payment arrangement to get more time to pay your taxes and to decrease the size of instalments. Late-payment interest must be paid on all taxes included in the payment plan. When you are on a payment plan, the Tax Administration will not send your unpaid VAT to enforced recovery as long as you follow the terms of the agreement.
VAT refunds
You can get some VAT refunded if, for example, your company is having more deductions of VAT than VAT payments. During a reporting period like that, the balance of VAT would be “negative”.
If you have any overdue taxes or other unpaid charges, etc., the amount that would be refunded will first be applied on them. After that, any remaining refund will come to your bank account. Refunds can also be applied on tax debts that are included in a payment arrangement you have.
If the Tax Administration applies a sum of money, which would otherwise be refunded, on any of the above, you will see detailed information on this in MyTax and on your Summary of payment status.
When no amount needs to be used for settling any other tax, the Tax Administration will transfer your entire VAT refund to your bank account in approximately one week.
Read more about self-assessment and tax refunds
Attention begins.
Need instructions for completing the forms?
Attention ends