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You may not need a new tax card for parental allowance

Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, calculates the parental allowances using set withholding rates (tax rates). If the tax rate applied to the parental allowances seems too high or low to you, you can apply for a tax card for benefits.

Changes to names of parental allowances

Kela makes changes to the names of parental benefits. The changes do not affect the taxation.

The following benefits apply to you:

  • maternity allowance
  • special maternity allowance
  • paternity allowance
  • parental allowance
  • partial parental allowance.

The following benefits apply to you:

  • parental allowances (common name for the following benefits)
  • pregnancy allowance and partial pregnancy allowance
  • parental allowance and partial parental allowance.

Read more on Kela’s website for Families

Kela receives your valid tax card information directly from the Tax Administration

If you have a valid tax card for wages, Kela automatically applies the tax rate stated in the table below to parental benefits.

Check your tax card in MyTax.

See the guidance: How to find your valid tax card in MyTax

You receive parental allowances or another benefit paid by Kela Tax rate used by Kela
You receive parental allowances for during the year, and you have a valid tax card for wages and your tax rate is less than 25% 25 %
You receive the minimum parental allowance for during the year 20 %
You receive both parental allowances and wages during the year 40 %
You receive a home care allowance and wages during the year additional withholding rate
You receive wages and a partial parental allowance during the year withholding rate for wages, and additional withholding rate
You do not have a tax card for wages (for example, you are a self-employed individual or an agricultural operator) or you have a tax card for seafarer's income or trade income. The amount of parental allowances per day affects the tax rate used by Kela.

Check the tax rate used by Kela in the table (in Finnish and Swedish)

During 2023, you are paid parental allowance that belongs to the year 2022 (retroactive payment). The amount of parental allowances per day affects the tax rate used by Kela.

Check the tax rate used by Kela in the table (in Finnish and Swedish)

If you do not want to use the tax rates set by Kela, apply for a new tax card for benefits

If the tax rate set by Kela seems too high or low to you, apply for a tax card for benefits. 

Check whether it is worthwhile to apply for a tax card for benefits.

If you also receive wage income, request a separate tax card for wages.

Request a tax card in MyTax

See the instructions for using MyTax:

How to request a tax card for benefit income in MyTax

The Tax Administration will send your tax card for benefits directly to Kela.

Page last updated 11/29/2022