Swedish far-right party accused of tax avoidance through private parties for leader

A Swedish investigative program has uncovered evidence that the Sweden Democrats systematically avoided taxes by disguising private gatherings for party leader Jimmie Åkesson as official events, according to documents and internal emails obtained by TV4’s Kalla Fakta.

A former party consultant, identified only as Carola Othén, provided invoices and correspondence showing the party split larger social events—dubbed “Jimmie parties”—into smaller registered activities to circumvent payroll taxes and benefit-in-kind taxation. Othén, described as the party’s longtime “fixer,” claimed she was instructed by SD’s then-finance chief to manipulate billing to reduce tax liability.

Mats Höglund, associate professor of tax law, told the program the practice was “highly objectionable” and explicitly illegal. “First, it sounds appalling. Second, it’s not permitted,” he said.

The Sweden Democrats declined to respond to the allegations, citing concerns that the leaked documents—part of an ongoing legal dispute with Othén—could be fabricated. TV4 states it has verified the materials’ authenticity.

The report is the first in a three-part series, SD-fixaren (The SD Fixer), examining the party’s financial practices ahead of the 2026 election. Further installments are expected this week.