Sweden Now Demanding Poker Pro Back Taxes

Sweden’s Tax Authority known as Skatteverket, has recently come down hard on its poker pros and is now demanding full disclosure of their poker winnings played on sites outside the European Economic Area between 2008 and 2011. As the letter reads:
“[We have] obtained information that you have played poker in one or more Internet sites based outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for the period 2008-2011. Please submit bank statements or similar documents from any internet site where you had the bankroll for the period 2008-2011.”
The letter specifically names such online poker rooms as PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and Bodog, as of possible interest and has been demanding the players screen names whilst playing at these sites. Sites such as 888, Ongame and PartyPoker have not been mentioned as they are based in Gibraltar and therefore considered tax-free.In addition, information on winnings from live events outside the European Economic Area has also been requested.
As part of the “comprehensive campaign,” Tuesday saw the Serious Fraud Office launch unannounced raids on players’ homes across Sweden and confiscating computers and mobile phones. One full-time player, whose laptop was seized, was told that public tournament-tracking results were even being used to perform “extensive research.”
Skatteverket is further seeking any financial statements connected with online poker, including those from banks, credit cards statements, and  e-wallets such as PayPal, Moneybookers and Neteller.
In the past, Skatteverket came under criticism from players as it originally based its tax decision on individual hands. Now, however, it has been changed to consider wins and losses over a year period. Nevertheless, the tax is still calculated on a per-site basis, with losses on one site not  deductible from losses on another. All in all, it still adds up to bad news for Sweden’s poker players.