The Dark Side of Denmark’s Tax System: How Authorities Can Ruin Your Life Without Consequences

[EliasIT]

As many of you have probably followed, I've started several threads about my battle with the Danish tax authorities inside Mentor Group Gold!

The Danish tax system is so fundamentally corrupt that they can get away with absolutely anything they want. Even with undeniable evidence from my accountant, bank, and lawyer, who worked together to produce a thoroughly reviewed report on the case, the tax authorities can simply state that they stand by their claim that I committed tax fraud.

At a meeting with my lawyers yesterday, it became painfully clear that even they have, to some extent, just been lining their own pockets. I have to admit, they understood what happened in my company and got everything documented in writing, but even they say that taking a case to the Danish Tax Appeals Board is pointless. This so called board consists of public officials and private individuals who, within 15 minutes, decide whether the taxpayer is right or if the tax office wins. They don’t even review the case properly, just listen to a four-minute speech from a lawyer, which has already been submitted in writing beforehand!

What kind of justice system is this? It’s neither fair nor right when you can literally prove that the tax authorities are lying, fabricating stories, and, even when confronted with evidence, still stick to their claims just because they are the authority. You can take them to the High Court, or you can go to the media and hope that it makes a difference.

To everyone reading this who still thinks Denmark is a good place to run a business, avoid it at all costs. If the tax office sets its sights on you, they will destroy you completely. They are ruthless and only care about processing as many cases as possible to make their statistics look good.

If someone else had told me this before, I probably would have just scrolled past, thinking, 'Another person who did something stupid and is now playing the victim.' But that’s not the case.

Welcome to a new reality where authorities can ruin your life and confiscate everything you own. Get out of the EUSSR while you still can.

 

[lagloriacubana]

What is it that makes people so deeply sold on the whole “Scandinavian Way”? Like, how exactly do they get their citizens so convinced it’s the best system out there?

I’ve had a friend move back from Malta to Stockholm, another Danish friend who actually loves paying taxes (he reminded me of that simpsons cartoon character—Ned or something), and another buddy who left Canada to go back to Norway just so his kid could go to school there… and he didn’t even blink at the higher taxes.

But then I visit these places, I see the schools and hospitals, and yeah, they’re fine. But I also get top-tier private healthcare and education where I live - yes, it’s expensive, but still nothing close to the taxes you’d pay in Scandinavia.

And what really gets me is, none of these people even entertain another perspective. It’s like they’ve been wired to believe their way is the only “right” way. So I’m just wondering—what’s behind that? Is it cultural pride? Clever messaging? Subtle brainwashing? Honestly curious.

Just to add to what I was saying earlier—I think you can throw the Germans into that mix too. My German friends also treat paying taxes properly like it’s some badge of honor, and they seem to genuinely believe in their government. I’ve never really understood that mindset.

Honestly, the only one I truly respect there is the local kebab guy who’s been refusing to accept cards for 15 years straight I have visited him. Every time he says, “No brother, go geldautomat—cash only, keine cards,” I can’t help but smile. A true rebel. 0 Fs given.

Which brings me to the bigger point I’ve been thinking about: are these tax enforcers just doing their job… or are they true believers in a completely different belief system—one that most people in these countries have been slowly indoctrinated into over time?

 

[MarkT]

Not a MGG member, but wow your frustration is palpable.

I don't know where I read it many years ago: Happiest people are those who have passport from country A, money in country B, but live in country C. Guess you could add, and run company in country D.

And as per your "EUSSR", game plan of my richy or rich friends is just: Gather enough money so you are simply unaffected by normal people's problems. I.e. concierge medicine, private transport, structures abroad etc.

 

[EliasIT]

I don’t get what brings people back to Denmark or Scandinavia in general. I left a long time ago and have no intention of setting foot in that country again, even though I’m a Danish citizen.

If you ignore the taxes, fees, and insanely high living costs, where you’re left with barely 30% of your net income, it’s probably the mentality that draws people back. Everything is more relaxed and easygoing in Denmark, and it is a beautiful country, as the old songs say.

But that’s not enough. Scandinavia has completely changed, and so has Denmark. The country that was once charming, free, and a great place to live has turned into a monster, much like what we see in Germany, France, and the rest of Southern Europe.
But people are creatures of habit, they don’t realize how the incompetent government and the rest of the politicians have ruined the country. It’s like a lite version of what happened with Donald Trump in the U.S.

Tax office employees are mostly young people, many of them brought in from abroad because skilled professionals don’t want to work in the public sector. Either they’re working for big companies making more than double the salary, or, like many others, they’ve left the country altogether. In fact, 70,000 Danes have moved to Switzerland.