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NOEconomy3 days ago

End of the "tax haven" in Vesterålen

The municipal council in Bø, Vesterålen, has decided to align its property tax with the rest of Norway after implementing a reduced property tax in 2021 to attract capital and investments. The policy led to significant financial losses for the municipality, according to representatives from SV and Rødts. The reduced income from the tax was previously compensated by the government, but this support ended in 2022. Mayor Sture Pedersen (H) acknowledged the poor results but noted that the policy had generated optimism through increased orders for craftsmen, new apartments, and new jobs. The city's

Kommunestyret i Bø i Vesterålen vedtok torsdag å harmonisere formuesskatten med resten av landet.

NTB

Publisert: 18.06.2026 19:22

Bø innførte redusert formuesskatt i 2021 for å tiltrekke seg kapital og investeringer. Men tiltaket har kostet kommunen dyrt.

– Nå har tallene kommet på bordet. Det er verre enn hva man kunne ha trodd. Totalt sett har kommunen tapt masse penger her, sa SV og Rødts representant, Rolf-Hugo Eriksen, i kommunestyret, ifølge nettavisen Vesterålen Online (VOL).

Reduserte inntekter som følge av tiltaket ble tidligere kompensert av regjeringen, men støtten ble stoppet fra 2022.

Ordfører Sture Pedersen (H) innrømmet at han hadde ønsket seg bedre resultater, men pekte samtidig på at tiltaket hadde skapt optimisme med fulltegnede ordrebøker for håndverkere, nybygde leiligheter og nye arbeidsplasser.

Administrasjonens innstilling om å sette opp igjen formueskatten ble vedtatt mot én stemme.

Read the full article at Aftenposten →
Source document: Kommunestyret i Bø i Vesterålen

1 reports

AftenpostenParty-aligned🔒Center3 days ago
End of the "tax haven" in Vesterålen

The municipal council in Bø, Vesterålen, has decided to align its property tax with the rest of Norway after implementing a reduced property tax in 2021 to attract capital and investments. The policy led to significant financial losses for the municipality, according to representatives from SV and Rødts. The reduced income from the tax was previously compensated by the government, but this support ended in 2022. Mayor Sture Pedersen (H) acknowledged the poor results but noted that the policy had generated optimism through increased orders for craftsmen, new apartments, and new jobs. The city's

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the negative financial impact of the reduced property tax and the positive economic developments it spurred, without overtly favoring one perspective over another. It includes quotes from opposing political figures and does not use loaded language.

Official sources cited

  • government Kommunestyret i Bø i Vesterålen
  • press release Vesterålen Online (VOL)

Go to the primary sources (2)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

  • governmentKommunestyret i Bø i Vesterålen
  • press_releaseVesterålen Online (VOL)