Prevention is everyone’s responsibility We shed light on combatting the shadow economy

Short lifecycle companies are used as shadow economy tools ›

10.6.2024 Tax Administration 

According to a recent report, roughly a third of companies with a short lifecycle carry a high shadow economy risk. Short lifecycle companies were not engaged in any external business activities, as their only purpose was to forward funds, enabling unfounded tax benefits for other companies in the same arrangement.  

New ways of working have changed supervision ›

20.5.2024 

In labour markets, the shift away from employment relationships to various forms of entrepreneurship is still intensifying, while abuse associated with these new ways of working have increased. The information is based on the results of a survey by the authorities combatting the shadow economy at the beginning of 2024 to observe changes in the operating environment. 

Good results obtained from the ending Action Plan ›

20.5.2024 

In 2020–2023, more than 50 projects tackling the shadow economy and economic crime were carried out in Finland. They succeeded in preventing abuses, promoting healthy competition between companies and supporting a fair labour market by improving the transparency and openness of business activities, for example. 

The big picture of the grey economy and economic crime

The website on the grey economy and economic crime www.grey-economy-crime.fi provides summarised information on the grey economy and economic crime in Finland. The website is maintained through the cooperation of the authorities engaged in combating the grey economy. Further information on the authorities is available under the section About this website.

The website will support the decision-making of authorities and political decision-makers. The information it provides will enhance society’s capabilities to react rapidly to the phenomena and harm associated with the grey economy and economic crime. In addition, the website will provide companies and citizens with information on how to act or protect themselves against such harm.

The big picture is a combination of various aspects

The website provides an overview of the topical phenomena of the grey economy and economic crime comprising the observations of a number of different authorities. In addition, the website offers both domestic and international estimates on the scope and amount of the grey economy and economic crime. The website also provides information on the impact of action taken to prevent the grey economy and economic crime based on the statistics of authorities, including company audits and their results. The website also follows the progress of various projects included in the operational programme concerning the grey economy and economic crime.

 

Key figures
Grey economy
Resources
Input and cases
The authorities’ resource monitoring tool shows, in a whole new way, the amount of available resources in annual work units, processed cases, and cases waiting for processing. The data are updated three times a year.
€1 billion
Value of undeclared work
The annual value of undeclared work is estimated to be €900–1,400 million in Finland. Undeclared work also causes losses of taxes and social insurance contributions totalling €300–480 million.
2 391 pcs
New economic crimes
Last year, the Police of Finland recorded a total of 2,391 new economic crimes. This is 15 % more than in 2022.
48 % no
Residence permit for entrepreneurs
The permit is granted in two stages: the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY) makes an interim decision before the final decision is made by the Finnish Immigration Service.
€13 million
Falsified receipts
Using falsified receipts in accounting are a typical means of tax evasion in the shadow economy. Fraudsters use falsified receipts to free up funds for undeclared payroll or hidden dividends.

About this website

The website

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