The RUT deduction contributes to integration
The RUT industry continues to grow. During the first half of 2015, total purchase amounts increased by 9 percent compared with the same period last year. It shows new statistics from the Swedish Tax Agency that the service company Hemfrid has compiled.
In total, Swedes made deductions for household services such as house cleaning, gardening and childcare for SEK 1.6 billion during the first half of 2015. This means an increase of 9 percent compared with the same period the year before.
-Half of those who work with household services are born abroad. The fact that the industry is growing by 9 percent corresponds to almost 2,000 new jobs - and jobs are a very important key to integration, says Maria Andersson, CEO of Hemfrid.
Today, about 20,000 people work in the RUT industry. Statistics from Almega show that almost every second, 47 percent of those who work with performing household services are born abroad. Three out of four, 75 percent, of those who start working in the industry do so after being unemployed or laid off. The rut deduction has also promoted women's entrepreneurship.
-Many people get their first job in Sweden thanks to the RUT deduction. Our young industry needs long-term and stable conditions, so that serious players dare to invest and thereby create even more jobs, says Maria Andersson. The government proposes that the maximum amount for the RUT deduction be reduced from SEK 50,000 to SEK 25,000 per person and year from 1 January 2016. The proposal has been criticized from several quarters for breaking the legs for the industry.
About the statistics
The statistics are based on the Swedish Tax Agency's preliminary monthly statistics regarding root and square payments. The comparisons were made between the first six months of 2014 and 2015, respectively. The information on the number of employees in the RUT industry comes from Almega's report "RUT 2015".
For more information contact:
Frida Koff, brand and communications manager Hemfrid, 070-445 37 00, frida.koff@hemfrid.se