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

[Bulruy]

Just forget about it. The media will always side with the government.
Even the business-friendly media will at best write something like "The current rules are not very business-friendly. We have to attract and keep the smartest people, so when there is uncertainty, this is bad for business and bad for our welfare state!"

There are plenty of cases where even UHNWI business people were screwed over by the tax authority - and I'm sure they had good lawyers. But the average person doesn't care about this.

I get where you’re coming from, but the real problem isn’t just the media siding with the government—it’s that the vast majority of Danes don’t even grasp the long-term consequences of this internal erosion. That’s what’s truly frightening.

Look at the other Nordics, and you can’t ignore the fact that Denmark has produced some of the biggest and most innovative companies in the region. But that kind of success doesn’t happen in a country that slides further into bureaucratic authoritarianism.

If there’s even the slimmest chance of reversing this trend, it won’t happen by waiting for politicians or media to suddenly grow a conscience. The only way forward is through education and resisting every step of the way.
If we’re going down, we might as well go down fighting.

 

[JustAnotherNomad]

That’s perfect that you write things like that, which is totally fine. It just provokes me to do exactly that!

I wouldn't have done this myself, but I certainly wish you the best of luck!

 

[EliasIT]

As a Dane myself (and unfortunately still stuck here), I find it refreshing to see someone actually challenging the system instead of just going along with the narrative.

Mads Brügger is one of the few truly independent journalists in Denmark. Unlike the state-sponsored media outlets, he refuses to accept government “media support,” which is one of the reasons I respect his work.
You should check out his work at Frihedsbrevet if you’re curious!

I contacted him with the details, thanks for the tip. And welcome to OCT as another Dane joining our community!

 

[JustAnotherNomad]

I get where you’re coming from, but the real problem isn’t just the media siding with the government—it’s that the vast majority of Danes don’t even grasp the long-term consequences of this internal erosion. That’s what’s truly frightening.

That's what I meant - the government and the media are a representation of the people.

"Billionaire lost against the tax authority, has to pay $50M in additional tax."

Most people won't feel sorry for the billionaire, they'll say "Serves him right! What was he thinking he could just steal $50M from us?"
And those people can afford the best lawyers...

You'll find plenty of such cases in the media all over Europe, the "rich guy" will never be portrayed fairly.
Look at Spain for example. People prefer to be poorer, provided the rich are less rich.

 

[JustAnotherNomad]

I contacted him with the details, thanks for the tip. And welcome to OCT as another Dane joining our community!

Do keep in mind this will probably compromise your anonymity on the forum.
Not trying to discourage you from it, in fact I'd be happy to see how it goes. I'm just mentioning this because you have put a lot of effort into protecting your identity/setup.

 

[JohnnyDoe]

I contacted him with the details, thanks for the tip. And welcome to OCT as another Dane joining our community!

I fully understand your good intentions, but consider if it’s worth starting a war and making enemies. In particular, if you are fully protected from consequences.

 

[EliasIT]

I fully understand your good intentions, but consider if it’s worth starting a war and making enemies. In particular, if you are fully protected from consequences.

Thank you, I'm well aware of it....You know, there is also this a*****e as a lawyer I have an open bill with!

 

[DeepDrilling]

There are many great comments on your story, and I can only say that I hope you get some form of justice, both against the unfair Danish tax system and the corrupt lawyer I read about in your story in mentor group gold.

 

[kilor]

Thank you, I'm well aware of it....You know, there is also this a*****e as a lawyer I have an open bill with!

fror your laywer problem please check your DM, I have a solution with full satisfaction for you. I'm not joking.

 

[Aston VIP]

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.

Sadly, I’ve seen this too. The system is built to protect itself, not the truth. Respect for speaking up.

 

[redeye]

Of course you should try it out and file complaints wherever you can within the public system. But going to the media with your case can backfire. A lot of the major media outlets are funded through taxes by the system, which means they tend to tell stories that fit the “positive Denmark” narrative. They’re not always objective, and you could end up looking like the fool.

There are other routes worth trying, like the High Court or even the EU courts. A lot of cases that are lost against the Danish tax system in Denmark end up being won there.

As for your lawyer, you could run a sharp campaign that legally damages his reputation. PM sent your way.

 

[EliasIT]

I'm really grateful for all the input in this thread. A lot of you are thinking more rationally than I probably am, since I’m directly involved in the situation. That’s what makes a community like this so great, you get input from all angles and from people who definitely aren’t emotionally tied to it.

Also, big thanks for all the suggestions sent via PM and the help some of you have offered. I’ve already started working on a few of them, there have been some truly excellent ideas in the mix.

 

[zzzzzz]

That's what I meant - the government and the media are a representation of the people.

"Billionaire lost against the tax authority, has to pay $50M in additional tax."

Most people won't feel sorry for the billionaire, they'll say "Serves him right! What was he thinking he could just steal $50M from us?"
And those people can afford the best lawyers...

You'll find plenty of such cases in the media all over Europe, the "rich guy" will never be portrayed fairly.
Look at Spain for example. People prefer to be poorer, provided the rich are less rich.

When people start with egalitarianism, inequality, community, high taxes, fairness, green agenda, public property, huge public sector, welfare, unions... you're dealing with socialists. The only reason there is no full socialism is that capitalists and capitalism finances their agenda via legal extortion called taxes.
Nordic countries became rich because of capitalism. Socialism never made any country rich - everybody poor, everybody the same = socialism.

 

[AlicaFunk]

I don’t think this thread is meant to turn into a political or social debate, it’s more about the unfairness of @EliasIT ’s tax case and, most importantly, the serious wrongdoing by his backstabbing lawyer!

 

[EliasIT]

I don’t think this thread is meant to turn into a political or social debate, it’s more about the unfairness of @EliasIT ’s tax case and, most importantly, the serious wrongdoing by his backstabbing lawyer!

You're right, however, this thread won't change much unless lot's of people from Denmark may read it and actually take action, for that reason. I just take the thread to slip out some frustration