Here we tell you all about what a contract note is and what you use it for. 

What is a contract note?

A contract note is a written confirmation of a share transaction. A contract note contains information such as the date of the transaction, the shares involved, the price per share and the total amount of all the shares you bought or sold, as well as any brokerage fees. 

Why are sales notes used? 

You choose to draw up a contract note so that you can:

• prove that the share deal took place
• declare the share transaction to the tax authorities/your accounting software correctly. 
• prove that the shares have been paid for and that you own the shares. 

What is included in a contract note? 

When you create a settlement note, it should contain information about the following. 

Example of information for settlement note 

Information shall be provided on: 

• Who bought/sold the shares. 
• Number series for all shares in the transaction. 
• The number of shares to which the transaction relates. 
• The transfer date available for the share transaction. 
• When the transaction for the shares has gone through. 
• How the party that bought the shares paid for them. 
• In the case of a transfer of shares between private individuals, both parties' signatures are present. 
• By new issue the signature of the issuer is included. 
• Brokerage fee to the broker.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I have forgotten my settlement note?

If you have lost your contract note, it is a good idea to contact the company/individual with whom you carried out the share transaction and ask for a copy of the note. Having a copy of the contract note is useful for several reasons, including to prove that the transaction took place and to be able to declare the transaction correctly. 

When will I receive my settlement note?

You will normally receive your contract note one or two days after the transaction has been completed for listed companies, but for unlisted companies you will receive the contract note immediately to enable you to complete your part of the transaction. 

Is a contract note the same as an invoice?

No, a contract note is not the same as an invoice. An invoice is a receipt that payment for products has been made, while a contract note acts as a receipt that a stock transaction has taken place. 

Is it possible to receive your statement digitally?

Yes, it is normally possible to receive your settlement note digitally, for example by email and/or via the My Pages tab of the platform you trade with. 

What happens if something is wrong with my settlement note?

If something is wrong with your contract note, you should contact the issuer immediately to correct the error. If the wrong information is on the contract note, it may be invalid, for example, as documentation for the tax authorities. 

Should I keep my settlement notes? 

Yes, it is a good idea to save your settlement notes in a binder or via cloud storage online. You may need your settlement notes in the future, for example in the event of an audit by the Swedish Tax Agency, so saving this information is highly recommended. 

Does the settlement note affect my tax return?

Yes, settlement notes will most likely affect your tax return. If the notes show that you made a profit on your shares or perhaps a loss, it will affect how much money you get back on your taxes that year. 

Will I receive a contract note when buying unlisted shares?

Yes, you will receive a settlement note at purchase of unlisted shares in the same way you receive a contract note when you buy fund units and listed shares. 

What is the difference between a settlement note and a bank statement? 

A contract note and a bank statement are not the same thing. The main difference is that a contract note is a detailed receipt that a financial transaction has taken place, while a bank statement is a general confirmation that a transaction has been made on one of your accounts. 

Should a settlement note be digital or on paper? 

A paper contract note is just as valid as a digital contract note, so it doesn't really matter. However, almost all settlement notes are digital as it is the easiest, safest and cheapest to deliver digital settlement notes.