Paying taxes in Norway requires that you have a national identity number (fødselsnummer) and a tax card (skattekort). If you will be in Norway for a short period, you may be issued a temporary D number. A comprehensive site called "Work in Norway" contains answers to many questions you might have.

ID number (fødselsnummer) and registration with the National Population Register

Both the national ID number and the temporary D number are 11 digits the national ID number starts with your birthdate and ends in 5 randomly generated digits. You'll need this number to get paid, to open a bank account and to pay taxes. For more information see the Norwegian Tax Authority.

You will need to book an appointment if you want to go to the tax office or the Service Centre for Foreign Workers in order to apply for a ID or D number. Please note that it will be required, among other documents, to have a valid property purchase contract or property rental contract valid for at least 6 months. Those who do not have such a document can expect delays in getting an ID number. You can also book an appointment if you have questions about taxes & tax card.

If you have been living in Norway previusly and you return after a long stay abroad, it might be the case that you have an inactive ID number, which just needs to be reactivated before you can obtain a tax card etc

Tax card

The tax card is used as a basis for withholding tax from salaries paid to employees working in Norway. Make sure that your employer has received your tax card before you get your first salary -- otherwise a 50% tax will automatically be withheld from your salary. If you have paid too much tax, you will get it back in your annual tax refund. 

From 2019, a new and simplified tax scheme will take effect. The scheme is meant for foreign workers in Norway and it is called PAYE (Pay As You Earn). Most new foreign workers will fall under this scheme the first year they work in Norway.

Information about how you can apply for a tax card is available here.

Please check the tax calculator if you wonder about how much taxes you should expect.

Personal tax return (Selvangivelse)

A personal tax return will be sent to your registered address in the spring of the year following the income year. The tax return is to be completed and submitted to the tax authorities by April 30 in the year following the income year. You will receive an End of the Year Certificate (Årsoppgave) from your employer with some basic information on the salary and allowances you have earned in Norway. Please include this information in your tax return.

Final tax assessment/settlement (Skattemeldingen)

The final tax assessment is sent to your registered address in either June or October in the year following the income year. It provides information on the basis for taxation in Norway, such as taxable income, tax paid, if you have overpaid or underpaid tax, etc. The tax assessment will normally correspond with the information submitted in your personal tax return, but should always be double checked. For further information on the Norwegian tax system and regulations go to www.skatteetaten.no