The Enforcement Authority and the corona virus
Right now many people have questions about what is going on in their cases and our proceedings. We have compiled the most common questions. The information is continuously updated.
We follow the development of the corona virus, covid-19, very carefully and we are doing our utmost so that you are affected as little as possible. We are continuously updating this information.
Call our customer service
I had to wait a long time when I called. What are you doing to shorten the phonequeue?
Many people are calling us right now, so you might have to wait longer than usual, maybe 30 minutes or longer. If too many call us at the same time you might not even get into the phonequeue. If this happens – try again a while later. We are re-scheduling our employees' working hours so that as many co-workers as possible can work when most people call.
You have not answered my email. How long do I have to wait before you answer?
Our goal is to answer your email by the next weekday. However, at the moment we are receiving a lot of questions and unfortunately we cannot reply as quickly as we would like. Our current response time is therefore three weekdays. For more complicated questions it may take a little longer. You can rest assured that your email hasn’t been overlooked and we kindly ask that you don’t email us twice about the same thing.
Our auctions and property displaying
Do you carry out executive auctions of real estate and condominiums as usual?
We are continuing with executive auctions of real estate and condominiums as usual. Our work on evaluating, describing and displaying objects also continues, but we observe precautionary measures based on the prevailing situation.
Invoices from our suppliers
I am having trouble with my finances – can you pay my invoice faster than you usually do?
We have changed our routines and are now paying our suppliers faster than usual. Normally we pay within 30 days but now you can often get paid within nine days. The new routines will initially be valid until August 31.
Tax refund
Can I keep my tax refund even though I have debts registered at the Enforcement Authority?
No, if you have debts with us and if you get a tax refund we will either deduct or seize the tax amount to pay your debts.
Payment respite
My company can't pay its taxes – how do I apply for a payment respite?
You can apply for a temporary respite of tax, employer tax and VAT at the Swedish Tax Agency. The purpose of the new rules is to make it easier for companies that have temporary payment difficulties due to the corona virus.
The new rules apply from March 30. While the Swedish Tax Agency handles your application, you can contact us for a payment respite so we don’t initiate enforcement actions.
You can read more and apply for a respite on the Swedish Tax Agency's website.
My company has requested respite with its tax payments. Will you still seize the debts for tax in April?
No, the Swedish Tax Agency will not submit any new tax liabilities relating to companies to us when balancing in April.
Acknowledgement of service
How do you handle acknowledgement of service with older people?
Elderly people, 70 years and older, are a risk group for Covid-19, which is why we are doing everything we can to postpone evictions, physical acknowledgement of service and other visits at their homes. However, we will continue to get confirmations of the acknowledgement of service by telephone.
We are using the existing legal framework to avoid contact with the elderly as far as possible and we always have a dialogue with both the landlord and the tenant.
Debt reconstruction
Can you reconsider my debt reconstruction if I get sick in corona?
If you are unable to pay according to your instalment plan, due to your income decreasing as a result of the corona virus, we may reduce your payment liability retroactively.
In order for us to reconsider your instalment plan, two things are required:
- the change must be large enough and
- it must be permanent.
Generally, the change in your economy must be at least SEK 500 per month and last for at least four months.
In addition, if you meet the requirements, we will calculate your future payment space based on your current income. That way, you won’t be held responsible for non-payment due to the corona virus's impact on your finances.
Can you reconsider my debt reconstruction if I can’t follow the instalment plan because I need to work less?
You can apply for reconsideration of your debt reconstruction if your financial situation changes. We will then investigate if you fulfil the requirements for a revised instalment plan.
If you do nothing and can’t pay the first month, we will send a reminder to you. If you don’t pay the following month, we will send a message to your creditors.
This may result in one of your creditors applying for reconsideration due to failure to pay. We will handle and investigate this application.
If there is no payment for a shorter period, one or a few months, we will normally not make any changes to the debt reconstruction decision. However, it is important that you pay what is outstandning, as you are obliged to follow the instalment plan as long as you haven’t received another decision from us.
Attachment of salary
I need to buy extra food to have as reserves if I get sick from the corona virus and need to stay at home. Can I keep a little extra money from my salary attachment?
Everyone who has an attachment of salary may keep a reserved amount of the salary to be used for, among other things, food. You can use the reserved amount in any way that suits you. For example, you can choose to shop for a couple of weeks of groceries if you want some extra food at home. The Enforcement Authority is usually unable to pause the attachment of salary or let you keep more money to buy extra food.
Now when I am sick or if I get sick I don’t have the same salary as when I am working, and I don’t have money for food and rent. What can you do?
You always have the right to keep a reserved amount of your salary, that is, the amount we calculated that you need to keep each month to support yourself and your family. Your reserved amount will be used for, among other things, food and rent. Only if your net income is higher than your reserved amount should the employer pay us. If you become ill from the corona virus and you get less income for some time, the employer may not be able to pay us any money or maybe can only pay a smaller amount than usual. If your financial situation changes by, for example, losing your job or if working less hours, you should contact us. We will then make an individual investigation of whether your salary attachment should be adjusted or terminated.
I am sick with the corona virus and I would like a respite with my salary attachment, is that possible?
A respite means that the salary attachment is paused for a limited period. You can get a respite if the applicant, the one you owe, agrees to it or if you have special reasons, such as illness, accidents and other similar situations that you can’t control or anticipate. Often the situation has then led to you incurring an unforeseen cost. If you want to apply for a respite, you need to contact us and explain your situation.
If I have costs for medicine and health care, can you make allowance for them?
If you have costs for medicine and health care, we can make allowance for them up to the high cost protection. If you have costs related to illness which are not covered by the high cost protection, you usually need to show your need through a medical certificate. If you haven’t provided information and a deduction has been made on your salary, we can’t retroactively recalculate the decision and refund money. This means that if your salary attachment is to be changed, the change will only apply the next time your salary or allowance is paid.
I am at home with my child who belongs to a risk group, can you pause my salary attachment?
Your salary attachment can be paused for a limited period if you can get a respite. You can get a respite if the applicant, the one you owe, agrees to it or if you have special reasons, such as illness, accidents and other similar situations that you can’t control or anticipate. Often the situation has then led to you incurring an unforeseen cost. If you want to apply for a respite, you need to contact us and explain your situation.
It may be good to know that you always keep your reserved amount, even if you have less income because you need to be home with your child. Only if your net income is higher than your reserved amount should the employer pay us. This may mean that your employer can’t pay us or can only pay a smaller amount than usual.
Can you pause my salary attachment if I am forced to work less?
If your income changes because you are forced to work less, please contact us. We will make an individual investigation of whether your salary attachment should be adjusted or terminated. If you haven’t provided information and a deduction has been made on your salary, we can’t retroactively recalculate the decision and refund money. This means that if your salary attachment is to be changed, the change will only apply the next time your salary or allowance is paid.
Ban on business operations
Can I get a business ban if I can't pay taxes for a shorter period of time?
A ban on business operations is supposed to prevent non-serious business operations. It is the court that decides on a business ban, most commonly when a person is convicted of serious financial crimes. But the court can also decide on a business ban when someone grossly neglects their business obligations by not paying taxes or fees, or by running a company that has gone bankrupt. If the business ban is because a person hasn’t paid taxes, it must concern large amounts or that the person hasn’t paid the taxes for a long period. The court also looks at the reason why taxes and other fees haven’t been paid. When an entrepreneur can’t pay for reasons outside of his or her control, or if not paying has been justifiable, the court shan’t decide on a business ban.
Operations of the Enforcement Authority
How will the corona crisis and a possible recession affect your operations?
It is too early to say with certainty, but those who lose their jobs or are laid off will obviously be affected financially. If you don’t have an economic buffer, the risks increase when there is a recession in economy.
We will probably receive more applications for payment injunctions, since many must prioritize which bills they will pay. More people are very likely to have their debts registered with us, we will also have more bankruptcies and in a longer perspective more people will apply for debt reconstruction.
For private individuals
Which groups are most at financial risk?
Those with small financial margins, those with high loans or those who lose their jobs are most at risk. The problem is that today we have a very high debt-incurrance, which means that those with the lowest margins can quickly face financial problems.
The number of claims for high amounts has increased in recent years and liabilities linked to unsecured loans are a contributing factor to the increase. People with unsecured loans can have problems.
What can I do?
Try to adapt your everyday life to the new financial conditions, go over your costs and cut off everything unnecessary. Contact those you owe money if you can’t pay your bills.
Who can I turn to for financial advice?
If you need financial advice, you can contact the budget and debt adviser in your municipality. The advice is free and confidential.
For companies
Are the number of bankruptcies increasing?
Yes, the number of bankruptcies have increased. For up-to-date information, visit the website of The Swedish Agency for Growth Policy Analysis (Growth Analysis), which is the official provider of statistics on bankruptcies.
What advice do you have for me, a small entrepreneur, to reduce my risks?
Try to adapt your situation to the changing economic conditions. Find out the facts and be active.
