The Swedish Tax Agency has decided to increase the health care allowance that companies can give tax-free to their employees. Previously, only simpler apps, for example step counts, were included. Now, the wellness grant can also be used to fund internet-based exercise programs such as yoga, weight loss and smoking cessation.

- Even when it is not a pandemic, it is common to exercise at home, with the help of training apps. So we make a more generous interpretation of what becomes tax-free for the employer, says Pia Blank Thörnroos, legal expert at the Swedish Tax Agency.

Updated during the pandemic

The Swedish Tax Agency has previously raised many questions about the delimitation of what has been allowed.

- So this has been a discussion and ongoing since before, but the issue has now been raised and become bigger because of the pandemic, she says and continues:

- This will apply even when the pandemic is over.

How does it work practically?

- First, the employer must decide whether they want to provide health care allowance for apps. Then it is just as before, that you have to show a receipt. It is not only possible to say that you bought a training app, the documentation is still required, says Pia Blank Thörnroos.