During the pandemic, entrepreneurs in the cultural industry have been able to apply for both the state adjustment support that will cover fixed costs such as rents and electricity and the Swedish Cultural Council's crisis support for canceled and postponed events.
In the autumn, the government decided on additional crisis support, which the Swedish Arts Council was commissioned to distribute.
New EU regulation
But the Swedish Tax Agency now says that the latest support from the Swedish Arts Council, which was distributed in December, conflicts with the adjustment support.
This is because parts of the Swedish Arts Council's new support also cover fixed costs.
The background is a new EU regulation that came into force in February and which is intended to prevent double aid being paid out.
- If you have received support from the Swedish Arts Council and then receive support for the same from the Swedish Tax Agency through the adjustment support, then you may be liable for repayment, says Eva Bodén at the Swedish Tax Agency.
Risks repayment
The consequence will be that entrepreneurs who have received crisis support from the Swedish Arts Council in 2020 will not be able to receive state adjustment support this year.
Those who have already received money from the adjustment support this year may need to pay back.
It can be about parts or whole amounts.
- The support ceiling is 97 million, from the period August 2020 to April 2021, says Eva Bodén.
The Swedish Tax Agency does not yet know how many may be liable for repayment.
"Very unhappy"
The industry organization Svensk live is critical of the new regulations and how the information has been communicated to the industry.
- We think it is very unfortunate and that the information and communication has been under all criticism.
There has been different support in different rounds during 2020 and now 2021. Even we who are experienced or try to be have a hard time understanding how it works, says Joppe Pihlgren, operations manager at Svensk live.