Denmark Tax Account (Skattekontoen) Guide
the Danish Tax Account (Skattekontoen) — the central hub for all business tax payments, refunds, and balances with SKAT.
The Tax Account (Skattekontoen) is the central account every business maintains with SKAT. All tax payments you make (VAT, A-tax, AM-bidrag, corporate income tax, etc.) and all refunds or credits from SKAT are recorded in this account. You manage your Tax Account through TastSelv Erhverv (SKAT's self-service portal for businesses). This guide explains how the Tax Account works, payment deadlines, balancing, interest, and common scenarios. For related topics, see our VAT Registration Guide →, Hiring Employees Guide →, and Starting a Business Guide →.
What Is the Tax Account?
The Tax Account (Skattekontoen) is a single, consolidated account that tracks all your company's transactions with SKAT:
- Payments you make — VAT, A-tax (withholding tax on salaries), AM-bidrag (labour market contribution), corporate income tax, and other taxes.
- Payments from SKAT — VAT refunds, tax credits, excess payments returned to you.
- Interest and fees — Daily interest on balances, late-payment charges, and processing fees.
Think of it as a running current account. When you owe tax, your balance goes negative. When SKAT owes you a refund, your balance goes positive. The goal is to keep the balance at or near zero at all times to avoid interest charges or overpaying.
How the Balance Works
Your Tax Account balance fluctuates throughout the year. Understanding how the balance is calculated helps you manage payments efficiently.
Debit balance (you owe): If your Tax Account balance is negative (in the red), you owe money to SKAT. Interest is charged daily on the negative balance. The interest rate is adjusted twice a year (1 January and 1 July) in line with the National Bank's reference rate plus a margin. You should bring the balance to zero as soon as possible to minimise interest charges.
Credit balance (SKAT owes you): If your Tax Account balance is positive (in the black), SKAT owes you money. SKAT pays interest on positive balances, but the credit interest rate is typically lower than the debit interest rate. SKAT will automatically transfer surplus amounts to your registered NemKonto bank account when the surplus exceeds a certain threshold.
Zero/balanced: Your account is settled when the balance is zero. This should be your aim ahead of each payment deadline.
Payment Deadlines
Different taxes have different payment deadlines. Missing a deadline can result in interest charges and late fees. Below are the key deadlines for the most common taxes. Tax periods are typically based on your VAT reporting frequency.
| Tax Type | Payment Frequency | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| A-tax + AM-bidrag | Monthly | 10th day of the following month |
| VAT (quarterly) | Quarterly | 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, 1 December |
| VAT (monthly) | Monthly | 2nd month following the reporting period |
| VAT (semi-annual) | Semi-annual | 1 March and 1 September |
| Corporate income tax | Annual (instalments) | 20 March, 20 June, 20 September, 20 December |
If a deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, the payment is due the next business day. Always verify exact dates in TastSelv Erhverv for your specific filing obligations.
Interest Charges
Interest is calculated daily on the balance of your Tax Account. The interest rates are set by SKAT and adjusted twice a year.
Debit interest (you owe): Charged daily on the negative balance. The rate is the National Bank's reference rate (currently 2.60% per year) plus a margin of 4.00%, resulting in a total debit rate of approximately 6.60% per year as of 2026. This rate applies from the day the payment was due until the day you pay.
Credit interest (SKAT owes you): Paid on positive balances. The rate is the National Bank's reference rate minus a margin of 2.00% (minimum 0%). As of 2026, this is approximately 0.60% per year.
Because debit interest is much higher than credit interest, it is financially disadvantageous to overpay significantly or to have large positive balances sitting idle. However, avoiding negative balances (and thus debit interest) should be the priority — the 6.60% debit rate is higher than most business loan rates.
Automatic Refunds and Transfers
SKAT automatically handles transfers between your Tax Account and your bank account, but with certain rules.
Automatic refund: If your Tax Account has a surplus (positive balance), SKAT will automatically transfer the surplus to your company's NemKonto. Refunds are typically processed within a few days. There is no minimum threshold for automatic refunds — even small positive balances are transferred.
Minimum payment threshold: Conversely, if you have a debit balance (you owe), you can pay at any time. However, SKAT does not send reminders or demands for small amounts below a minimum threshold — the threshold is adjusted periodically. You are still responsible for knowing what you owe and paying on time.
Delayed refunds: If your Tax Account is positive because of a tax return adjustment (e.g., you amended a previous VAT return), the refund may be delayed if SKAT decides to audit the adjustment first. Significant deviations from expected amounts can trigger manual review.
Managing Your Tax Account in TastSelv Erhverv
You monitor and manage your Tax Account through TastSelv Erhverv (SKAT's online self-service portal for businesses). Key actions you can perform:
- View balance — See the current balance and a full transaction history, including pending and settled transactions.
- Make payments — Make one-off payments or set up recurring payments for ongoing tax obligations.
- Transfer between accounts — If you have multiple businesses or VAT numbers, you can transfer surplus from one account to cover a deficit in another (same CVR only).
- View interest calculations — See how daily interest is calculated on your current balance.
- Set up notifications — Receive email alerts when your balance reaches certain thresholds or when payments are due.
- Download statements — Export your transaction history for reconciliation and accounting purposes.
To access TastSelv Erhverv, go to skat.dk and log in with your MitID or company NemID (if still supported). You will need either the company's CVR number or your personal CPR number with authorisation (tilladelse) to act on behalf of the company.
Common Scenarios
Making a VAT payment
When your VAT return is filed and shows an amount due, the due amount is booked as a pending transaction on your Tax Account on the filing date. Payment must reach SKAT by the deadline. You can pay via bank transfer to SKAT's account (using the payment ID/slot from TastSelv Erhverv) or via a payment through the portal.
Receiving a VAT refund
When your VAT return shows a refund, SKAT credits your Tax Account on the filing date. The surplus is then automatically transferred to your NemKonto. Processing usually takes 5-10 business days from filing, provided no manual review is triggered.
Paying A-tax and AM-bidrag
You must report and pay A-tax and AM-bidrag monthly. The payment is due by the 10th of the following month. If the 10th falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due the next business day. Late payment triggers debit interest from the 10th.
Corporate income tax instalments
Companies pay corporate income tax in four quarterly instalments (20 March, 20 June, 20 September, 20 December). The instalments are based on the expected annual income. Any remaining balance is settled when the annual tax return is filed and assessed.
FAQs
Can I have multiple Tax Accounts?
Each CVR number has one Tax Account. If you have multiple businesses with separate CVR numbers, each has its own Tax Account. You can transfer surplus between accounts under the same CVR (e.g., different VAT numbers) through TastSelv Erhverv.
What happens if my Tax Account is negative?
You are charged debit interest daily on the negative balance (currently ~6.60% per year). You should bring the balance to zero as soon as possible. SKAT may also restrict future payments and credits if the account remains negative for an extended period.
How does SKAT calculate interest?
Interest is calculated daily on the end-of-day balance. The rates are set twice a year (1 Jan and 1 Jul) based on the National Bank's reference rate. Debit rate = reference rate + 4.00%. Credit rate = reference rate - 2.00% (minimum 0%).
How do I get a refund from my Tax Account?
Refunds are automatic — SKAT transfers surplus balances to your NemKonto. You do not need to request a refund. If a refund is delayed, check your Tax Account in TastSelv Erhverv to see if there is a pending manual review.
Can I get an extension on a payment deadline?
Generally, no — Danish tax deadlines are statutory. However, you can apply for a payment arrangement (betalingsordning) if you are experiencing financial difficulty. Contact SKAT via TastSelv Erhverv to discuss options. Interest continues to accrue during any agreed arrangement.