Telia snobs tax claims – pressed Ncell pay 750 million – Swedish Dagbladet

photo: Magnus Hjalmarsson Neideman

Ncell is now tax authorities in Nepal to meet and deposits around SEK 750 million at the Agency, according to a press release. The amount represents 15 percent of the profits that Telia made on the sale of Ncell to Malaysian Axiata in April.

It was a few weeks ago that SvD revealed that the authorities in Nepal demanded that Telia would pay the equivalent of 25 percent tax on the profit they made on sales of Ncell. Telia has so far refused to open the wallet. The consequences for Ncell has been tough, hashtag #notaxnoncell has been used extensively in the Twitter stream in Nepal in recent weeks and Ncell reported to have lost significant revenue due to customers campaigning against what they perceive as tax evasion.

Usually, it’s just the seller pays capital gains tax. To Ncell now deposit money under pressure, however, have consequences for Telia. Axiata which the company bought recently may turn to Telia, demanding that the Swedish operator to do the right thing.

– We are a responsible company and we will resolve the matter soon, even if the issue is the seller’s responsibility, said Simon Perkins, newly appointed CEO of Ncell for Axiata’s entry, to the Himalayan Times on Sunday.

Telia will lower have banned Axiata to pay a single cent from Ncell to the tax authorities, according to sources SvD. At the same time Axiata discussing a lawsuit by Telia. Telia would not comment on their approach to Ncells use in question or if Axiata raised any claims to Telia.

– We follow developments in Nepal and have seen the press release from Ncell tax, but we can not answer for Ncell anymore because we do not own the company. Our view of the tax debate in Nepal has not changed, but the same as previously announced, says Henrik Westman, press spokesman at Telia, to SvD.

Telia and representatives from Axiata reported to have met with official key employees before the deal and been assured they would not have to pay any capital gains taxes, according to sources at the Himalayan Times. The insurance policies must have come from high-ranking politicians as Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

The money paid Axiata Ncell is located in a Norwegian holding company controlled by including Telia. It is about to be liquidated, and according to data to SvD they must possibly have any financial claims arising from the sale of Ncell, such as tax authorities in Nepal, directing them to the liquidator within a month. Since shared assets to the owners. Details are around liquidation is nothing that Telia confirmed to SvD.

– The ownership structure will obviously be resolved as part of the sale of Ncell. How, when and in what way is something that is done in dialogue with the other owner of TeliaSonera Norway, Nepal, Supervisor, says Henrik Westman.