Figures and dates
Tax calendar for the self-employed in Iceland
When do you file and when do you pay? Here is the year in one table, with sources. Put the dates in your calendar.
- Updated
- Sources reviewed
- Tax year
- 2026
The self-employed in Iceland file withholding tax and social security monthly with a final due date on the 15th of the following month, a VAT return every two months due on the 5th of the second month after the period, pension contributions monthly, and the annual tax return with a business statement in spring. Wage statements for the previous year are filed in January.
Key figures
- Withholding and social security
- final due 15th of next month
- due date 1st
- VAT
- 5th of the second month after the period
- six periods a year
- Pension contributions
- monthly
- fund's rules
- Tax return
- March
- business statement RSK 4.11
- Wage statements
- January
- RSK 2.01
- Start notification
- 8 days before
- employer register
Every month
| Filing | Period | Due | Final due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Withholding and social security return | previous month | 1st of the next month | 15th of the next month |
| Pension contributions (4% + 11.5%) | previous month | per the fund's rules, commonly the 10th of the next month |
The return is filed at skattur.is with electronic ID. If you pay yourself calculated remuneration you file for every month the business is active, including months with no receipts. A surcharge applies to unpaid withholding after the final due date and penalty interest accrues. See withholding tax.
VAT every two months
| Period | Due |
|---|---|
| January–February | 5 April |
| March–April | 5 June |
| May–June | 5 August |
| July–August | 5 October |
| September–October | 5 December |
| November–December | 5 February |
If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday it moves to the next working day. File even if there was no turnover in the period. See VAT.
2026 in order
| When | What |
|---|---|
| January | Wage statements and the wage return for 2025 (RSK 2.01) within the deadline Skatturinn announces. New reference figures take effect on 1 January. |
| 15 January | Final due date for December 2025 withholding |
| 5 February | VAT for November–December 2025 |
| March | The individual tax return opens. Filers with a business attach the business statement (RSK 4.11) and can request an extension. |
| 5 April | VAT for January–February |
| May–June | Individual assessments are issued; any balance is paid on the dates shown on the assessment notice |
| 5 June | VAT for March–April |
| 5 August | VAT for May–June |
| 5 October | VAT for July–August |
| 5 December | VAT for September–October |
| December | Skatturinn publishes the 2027 brackets, credit and calculated remuneration. Review your category and calculated remuneration for next year. |
When the business changes
- Starts — notify the employer register and, where relevant, the VAT register no later than 8 days before activity begins. See RSK 5.02.
- Changes — report a changed calculated remuneration or category to Skatturinn.
- Stops or pauses — file the closing notification (RSK 5.04) so Skatturinn does not estimate your income. Until then, returns and VAT reports are still due, even at zero.
How Fustle helps
Fustle keeps filing duties visible in the app and calculates withholding, social security and pension for each month in Payroll. Sending to Skatturinn and the pension funds remains in your hands until a direct connection exists.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to file a return in a month with no income?
If you are on the employer register and pay yourself calculated remuneration, you file for every month. If the business is dormant for a longer period you can notify Skatturinn of a pause or closure so the duty lapses.
What happens if I miss a due date?
Skatturinn adds a surcharge to unpaid withholding and VAT, and penalty interest runs from the due date. The sooner you file after the final due date, the lower the cost. Always file the return even if you cannot pay immediately.
Can I file VAT once a year?
Businesses with low turnover can apply to Skatturinn for annual filing. The single return is then due by 5 February. The conditions are on Skatturinn's website.
Sources
- Skatturinn — staðgreiðsla og reiknað endurgjald í rekstriskatturinn.is/atvinnurekstur/stadgreidsla-og-reiknad-endurgjald/
- Skatturinn — almennt um virðisaukaskattskatturinn.is/atvinnurekstur/virdisaukaskattur/almennt-um-vsk/
- Skatturinn — framtalsskil rekstraraðilaskatturinn.is/atvinnurekstur/ad-hefja-rekstur/framtalsskil/
- Skatturinn — launagreiðendaskráskatturinn.is/atvinnurekstur/ad-hefja-rekstur/launagreidendaskra/
- Skatturinn — eyðublöð og tilkynningar við upphaf rekstrarskatturinn.is/atvinnurekstur/ad-hefja-rekstur/eydublod---tilkynningar
- Lög um staðgreiðslu opinberra gjalda nr. 45/1987althingi.is/lagas/nuna/1987045.html
- Lög um virðisaukaskatt nr. 50/1988althingi.is/lagas/nuna/1988050.html
General information, not advice on your situation. Skatturinn and other authorities assess each case. Check the review date and sources before relying on a figure.
Related content
- TaxesWithholding tax: monthly filing on your own salaryHow a self-employed person in Iceland files withholding tax on calculated remuneration: what the return contains, due date on the 1st and final due date on the 15th of the next month, surcharges, wage statements and how withholding is settled at assessment.
- VATValue added tax (VAT) for the self-employedValue added tax for the self-employed in Iceland: when registration becomes mandatory (2,000,000 ISK turnover), when 24% or 11% applies, what is exempt, how input VAT is deducted and the VAT return due dates.
- TaxesMake year-end easier with records you can find.Organise income, expenses and filing records for your annual tax return. Understand what a Fustle annual summary does and what remains separate.
- Figures and datesFigures for the self-employed in Iceland 2026Every key figure for contractors and the self-employed in Iceland for the 2026 tax year in one place: tax brackets, personal tax credit, social security, pension contributions, VAT rates and registration thresholds, with sources.
- Contributions and pensionGive your pension a clear place in your routine.Organise your pension fund details, contribution records and payments when working independently. Understand your responsibilities and Fustle’s role.
Where does Fustle fit in?
Record the work and create the invoice. The service you choose determines the support included.