The VAT rate at the gym is zero percent and the VAT rate at the recreation and amusement pool is 25 percent. As the Adventure Bath offers both, you have solved the issue by dividing the entrance fee into two parts and deducting VAT on one and not the other. No VAT has been deducted at all on annual and family cards at the bathhouse.

That is wrong, says the Swedish Tax Agency, which has now decided to claim back VAT, which it considers that the Adventure Pool failed to pay in 2017 and 2018. Together with the tax surcharge and interest, the sum will be close to SEK 1 million.

"Not done with malice"

- This is not done with malice, but you have paid a standard tax on the number of visitors. We have given you a judgment that it is wrong and then we will do right in the future, ”says Henrik Nilsson, Head of Culture and Recreation Management in Kalmar.

The Swedish Tax Agency considers that the Adventure Pool primarily markets itself as a recreational swimming pool and is to be regarded as a unit and that the entrance ticket cannot be divided into different VAT rates during the time of day when both parts of the bathhouse are open to the public at the same time .

- We must pay the money in and look just happy. Then we take action now so that we can distinguish the guests. Those who are going into the Adventure section simply get a band around the arm, so we can give a separate account.

The adventure pool was heavy

The million you are now allowed to pay to the Swedish Tax Agency is taken from the operating budget for the entire administration and should not hit Äventyrsbadet, which lost almost half a million last year, alone.

- It affects the culture and leisure and Kalmar municipality's economy, but on the whole we can manage it. We have had a good year so in this way we have an economic advantage. But it is clear that we should not waste money like this, but we are happy that we made a decision so it will be right from the start, says Henrik Nilsson.