Year-end essentials

When closing a financial year, it can turn out that a company’s equity (net assets) does not meet the requirements set forth in legislation and so the equity must be brought into conformity with the law. Often auditors and lawyers receive queries about these topics, but their perspectives can sometimes vary.

Year-end means preparing financial statements, but many businesses overlook one critical aspect: whether the covenants of long-term loans are compliant with the indicators agreed with the bank as at the balance sheet date.

Companies’ credit agreements generally contain customer-specific conditions called covenants. December is the last chance to check whether the company is indeed in compliance with these covenants, especially considering how companies’ financial results have been impacted by the current ultra-rapid economic growth, rising prices and supply chain problems.

To ensure that your annual report is completed smoothly and on time, we have compiled the key steps and recommendations — what to prepare, when to act and which information your accountant will need.

As the end of the calendar year approaches, now is the perfect time to review employees’ remaining vacation balances. It’s important to remember that vacation days can only be used during the calendar year in which they are earned and the following calendar year.

The “tax hump” that has been in place for eight years will be abolished, and starting from 1 January 2026 a uniform basic tax exemption of €700 per month (€8,400 per year) will apply regardless of a person’s income level. For those of retirement age, a slightly higher exemption will continue to apply—€9,312 per year.

According to the registrar's statistics, 95% of companies registered in Estonia have chosen a financial year that runs from 1 January to 31 December. However, a company’s fiscal year should reflect the cycle of the company’s operating activity and year-end procedures should be conducted at a time when volumes of activity are lowest.

Stocktaking is far more than an accounting chore. When done thoughtfully, it becomes an effective tool for control, accuracy, and fraud prevention — and can be managed far more efficiently.