Closure of tax offices in Lapland affects tourism and seasonal workers in Finland

The closure of small tax offices is significantly impacting tourism in Lapland. A key issue is that every seasonal foreign worker must visit a tax office in person upon their first arrival in Finland to show their employment contract and passport. Due to government austerity measures, the only remaining tax offices in Lapland are located in Rovaniemi and Kemi. Workers need to identify themselves at the tax office to receive a personal identification number, which is essential for taxation and banking services.

Previously, seasonal workers arriving in northern Lapland could obtain their identification numbers at tax offices in Ivalo or Kittilä; however, these offices have only been providing services remotely since September and will close entirely next year. Last year, the tax offices in Tornio, Pello, Sodankylä, and Kemijärvi also ceased operations. The Kemi tax office is set to close in August 2025, leaving Rovaniemi as the sole option for in-person visits in Lapland.

For businesses like the Wilderness Hotel chain in Inari, this means employees may need to make a nearly 700-kilometer round trip to Rovaniemi for tax registration, which poses financial and logistical challenges, including transportation, meals, and accommodations. Transportation difficulties could arise for companies like Harriniva Hotels and Safaris in Muonio, especially during the peak season when most transport resources are in use by tourists.

The Finnish Tax Administration issues around 20,000 personal identification numbers annually to foreign employees, with approximately 3,500 in northern Finland. Industry estimates suggest that over 500 seasonal workers arriving in November and December could be directly affected by these issues. Although the tax administration is planning potential pop-up offices at tourist locations to assist, the details and timelines remain unclear.