Value added tax

When to register in the VAT Register

However, only once you have sold vatable goods and services for more than NOK 50,000 within a 12-month period must you register in the VAT Register. You cannot add VAT on your sales until you have registered the enterprise in the VAT Register.

The Norwegian Tax Administration — Registration in the Value Added Tax Register

Value Added Tax - VAT

The Norwegian Tax Administration – VAT Handbook (in Norwegian only)

Value added tax (VAT) rates

25% — for most goods or services
15% — for food and drinks
12% — for passenger transport, cinema tickets and room rental 

Are all sales vatable?

Some services, such as health services, teaching services and cultural services, are exempt from the scope of the VAT Act. Sales of such services do not give entitlement to registration in the VAT Register, and output VAT must not be calculated. You will also not be entitled to deductions for input VAT on purchases you make for an enterprise that is exempt from the scope of the VAT Act.

Find out if you must register in the Value Added Tax Register

Some goods and services are exempt from the calculation of VAT in connection with sales; these are known as 'zero rate'. This applies for example to exports, the sale of books as end retailer and the sale of newspapers and used cars. However, sales are still covered by the VAT Act and entitle you to register in the VAT Register and make deductions for input VAT.

Difference between exemptions and exceptions from VAT

Contact the Norwegian Tax Administration for guidance if you are in any doubt as to whether your enterprise's sales must be subject to VAT.

Contact The Norwegian Tax Administration

How to register in the VAT Register

The VAT registration takes place via Norwegian Tax Administration´s website.

The Norwegian Tax Administration — Registration in the Value Added Tax Register

You are not assigned a separate VAT number. To show that your enterprise is registered in the VAT Register, the enterprise's business documents are endorsed with the letters "MVA" (VAT) after the enterprise's organisation number.

The VAT Act on conditions for registration in the VAT register (in Norwegian only)

Pre-registration

Subject to certain conditions, some enterprises can be pre-registered in the VAT Register. In order to be pre-registered, you must either have made purchases amounting to at least NOK 250,000 (major purchases) which are directly linked to subsequent vatable sales, or that your vatable sales are likely to exceed the threshold of NOK 50,000 for registration in the VAT register within three weeks from the date on which sales commence. However, there is no entitlement to pre-registration for major purchases if it is expected to take less than four months from the application date to reach the registration threshold.

If you are pre-registered, the enterprise will be VAT-registered and have all the associated rights and obligations that this entails.

Register, change or delete in the Value Added Tax Register (VAT Register)

Your first invoice which includes VAT

Example:
As an example we can assume you have previously sent invoices for a combined total of NOK 40,000. As you are not registered in the VAT Register, you have not included VAT in your invoices for the sales/assignments concerned. You have now completed a new assignment and must invoice the customer for NOK 15,000. You can now do the following:

• Issue the invoice without VAT and notify the customer that they will receive an additional invoice for the VAT.
• Then you register in the VAT Register.
• You will be notified that your business is now registered in the VAT Register.
• Processing time varies - from completion within the day, up to a few weeks - depending on the course of the processing.
• You can now send an invoice with the VAT amount for the invoice which resulted in the threshold amount being passed.
• From now on you should add VAT to your sales.

Both sales which are vatable and sales which are non-vatable

When you sell both vatable and non-vatable goods/services, you will have split sales. VAT must only be added to sales that are vatable. When you make purchases which are intended for use in both parts of the enterprise, input VAT must be distributed proportionately between the part that is vatable and the part that is exempt from VAT. You will therefore not be entitled to make deductions for input VAT on purchases which are intended for use in the part of your sales that is exempt from VAT only.

Sales of goods/services which are exempt from VAT will not be taken into account in the basis for the calculation regarding when the enterprise must be VAT-registered.

Voluntary registration

Businesses operating in a few sectors, normally exempt from the obligation to be registered in the VAT Register, can register voluntarily. These businesses can claim deductions for input VAT on purchases intended for use by the business. This could for example concern deductions for VAT on construction costs, heating costs and maintenance in connection with the hiring out of commercial premises.

Can I reclaim VAT?

After your enterprise has been registered in the VAT Register, you can reclaim VAT on goods and services which are purchased for your enterprise (input VAT). In the tax return for VAT, input VAT is offset against output VAT (VAT on what you sell). You can now see whether you must pay VAT or whether you can reclaim VAT for the period concerned.

You can only claim VAT refund on purchases where the seller is registered in the VAT register and where the sales document contains the seller´s organisation number and the letters MVA.

If this is missing on an invoice that has already been paid, you will not be able to claim a deduction for input VAT. If you are not sure that the seller is registered for VAT, you need to determine this. You can check if the seller is registered for VAT via "Find company" on the Brønnøysund Register Centre´s website. 

Retrospective VAT refunds

You can claim VAT deductions on purchases made up to three years before registering in the VAT register. A condition is that the goods are not sold without charging VAT, and that it was used in a business activity liable to VAT. The request for retrospective VAT settlement is made when you submit the VAT return for the period in which your enterprise is registered for VAT. You are not required to submit documentation of the purchases. However, the documentation should be available in your accounts, and you must be able to present the documentation if this is requested of you.

The VAT Act (in Norwegian only)

Regulations pursuant to the VAT Act (in Norwegian only)

VAT Act on procurements made before registration (in Norwegian only)