Casper Ruud comments about high taxes in Norway causes stir

Norway’s tennis star Casper Ruud is in hot waters after members of the country’s ruling class responded to his claims that he was looking to move to another country to avoid paying so much taxes. The 25-year-old is often regarded as one of the most talented players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category.

Ruud, who is a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, has been recently quoted in a report where he revealed that he is ready to leave Norway to avoid paying high taxes. The Oslo-born star further went on to lambast the sitting government for ‘shooting themselves in the foot’ by increasing taxes, which according to him, is pushing capital to ‘flee’ the country.

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"I have to admit that I have also thought about moving. There are very drastic tax increases that have been introduced in recent years,” he said. "It definitely hurts to pay so much more in taxes. I think it is completely the wrong way to go by the Norwegian government. They are shooting themselves in the foot, and causing a lot of capital and people to flee the country."

Those comments did not go unnoticed. First, Norway’s Center Party member Per Martin Sandtroen, while speaking to Nettavisen, urged Ruud to stay in the country. "I would definitely encourage Casper Ruud to stay in Norway,” he said. “Norway is a joint team, where everyone contributes to taking care of one of the world's most well-functioning societies. Norwegian sport is particularly founded on the strong sense of community felt by many in Norway, where people contribute with voluntary efforts and sport is supported through both betting funds and public contributions.”

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Later, Norway’s Labor Party member Eigil Knutsen also responded to the comments made by the current world number eight and reminded him that taxes in Norway is still far lower than compared to some of the neighbouring countries.

"Our community is based on us contributing according to our ability,” he said while speaking to Nettavisen. “This is how we provide good community solutions such as free school, free health care and security for those who fall outside. The tax level in Norway is on par with countries we compare ourselves with. Among other things, tax on average wages in Norway is, for example, lower than in Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and the Netherlands.”