743 million in wages after Northvolt’s bankruptcy

So far, there are decisions on state wage guarantee of just over SEK 743 million. Money that the taxpayers stand for and who go to people who previously worked for one of Northvolt’s five companies that went bankrupt just over two months ago.

This is according to new figures that the Swedish Tax Agency has produced at the request of DN.

The challenge is to catch up with the payments on time, which means that some have had to wait several weeks for the money.

– It is a process that takes time and requires careful review, writes bankruptcy manager Mikael Kubu in a text message to DN.

Only after the bankruptcy trustee has received all the necessary information and has made a decision does the Swedish Tax Agency start its process with the payments.

– We have no delays with us when we receive a basis from the bankruptcy trustee, but we hold our processing time of five to ten working days, says Helena Jangel Stridh, business developer at the Swedish Tax Agency.

Now an intensive work is underway To pay money to the 4,625 former employees at Northvolt who have so far been registered as a salary guarantee recipient. Helena Jangel Stridh estimates that a number of hundred million will be paid out before everything is ready.

– We expect payments even in the coming months.

What will the final note land on?

– It is difficult to make a secure forecast, but it can definitely be about a billion SEK before everything is ready.

In February 2025, the Swedish Tax Agency took over the responsibility from the county administrative boards for these payments, ie just one month before Northvolt’s bankruptcy. The OAG has previously estimated that between six and nine percent of the amounts paid in bankruptcy are incorrect.

Has there been inaccuracies even linked to Northvolt?

– We make continuous checks and have clear routines for our reviews, but I do not know that there should have been any abuse in this case, says Helena Jangel Stridh.