A woman who was allegedly forced into prostitution by her husband has paid 42,000 kronor in tax to Skatteverket for income from the sex trade, according to reports from P4 Västernorrland. The woman's husband was charged in March with forcing his wife to sell sexual services to over 120 men through threats and violence in Ångermanland. The woman reportedly informed authorities that the prostitution occurred under duress, but Skatteverket has cited income tax law requiring taxation of all annual earnings.
The tax agency has stated that the woman's situation did not influence their decision and classified the income as hobby activity. The accused man, arrested in October last year, faces charges of pimping along with eight counts of rape against his wife and four attempted rapes. He denies all allegations.
According to the organization Talita, which has contact with the woman, she was controlled and did not get to keep much of the money. Skatteverket has welcomed a review of the tax rules while maintaining that all income is taxable under current law.