The articles of the zsis) - Center for Swiss and International Tax Law are summarized in quarterly issues at the end of each quarter. Register for free and read the current quarterly issue.
The articles of the zsis) - Center for Swiss and International Tax Law are summarized in quarterly issues at the end of each quarter. Register free of charge and read the current quarterly issue including the main topics.
You can find all quarterly issues from 2019 onwards in our archive.
zsis - Center for Swiss and International Tax Law is a digital information and research platform for practitioners. Our articles are divided into nine tax law topics and marked with corresponding colors. These contributions appear in the following formats: Articles, News and Documents.
In the following you will find a selection of the latest articles...
On July 12, 2023, Liechtenstein and Italy signed a double taxation agreement (DTA). The agreement is based on the international standard of the OECD Model Tax Convention 2017, takes into account the results of the BEPS project and follows the agreement on the exchange of information (TIEA) that was concluded with Italy in 2015. The DTA increases legal certainty, leads to significant withholding tax reductions, reduces existing barriers to investment and financing and will make a decisive contribution to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
The tax valuation of start-ups has been the subject of debate in Switzerland. While a viable solution has been found for the shareholders of start-ups with the current solution, the question of an even wealth tax burden for shareholders in a comparable situation arises. Find out what challenges arise in the valuation of participation rights and what solutions are being discussed to ensure a balanced tax policy.
According to the Minimum Tax Ordinance (MindStV), business units belonging to Switzerland are subject to Swiss supplementary tax if they belong to a group of companies with a turnover of at least EUR 750 million. The concept of turnover as a central prerequisite for subjective tax liability is only rudimentarily regulated in the ordinance. This article examines this concept from different perspectives with reference to various OECD/G20 documents and identifies open questions.
Is Swiss inheritance tax law fair? The author of this article examines the answer to this question by applying the philosopher John Rawls' theory of justice. It examines the fundamental question of the justification of an inheritance tax as such and the subsequent question of the design of an inheritance tax from the point of view of justice.
On June 16, 2023, the Federal Assembly adopted the partially revised VAT Act. In addition to the core element of taxing supplies via electronic platforms, the partial revision also includes numerous changes in the areas of internationalization, tax reductions, combating fraud and other simplifications. Entry into force is planned for January 1, 2025. Whether this date can be met also depends to a large extent on the partial revision of the VAT Ordinance, the draft of which is currently undergoing consultation from October 25, 2023 to February 8, 2024.
"Structure follows strategy" is a conclusion of the American business historian Alfred D. Chandler, which states that the strategy should be defined first and then a structure that leads to the realization of the strategy. This principle is often not sufficiently taken into account in corporate succession and the focus is prematurely placed on implementation and structuring issues. The topics discussed at this year's SIX Swiss Exchange Family Business Conference are set out below against this background.
When Swiss families think about the organization of their estate, they generally do not pursue any immediate tax objectives. In general, it is more a question of transferring assets to the next generation or at least initiating the future reorganization of ownership structures in the present. Of course, reducing wealth tax and breaking the tax progression, for example, can be an accompanying motive, but practice shows that this is rarely the actual "trigger". This article presents some typical questions.
Does an underpriced transfer of shares to an employee always lead to income tax consequences? With this article, the authors want to stimulate discussion on a very relevant aspect of non-family business succession: the distinction between (income taxable) employee shareholdings and (possibly non-income taxable) succession arrangements. The authors take a look at the practice and case law in the canton of Ticino and other cantons as well as the possible effects of recent inheritance law reforms.
On February 19, 2024, the OECD Council updated the commentary on Article 26 of the OECD Model Tax Convention. It was clarified that information received in the context of administrative tax assistance can also be used in relation to unnamed persons.
At its meeting on March 1, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the taxation of teleworking in international relations.
On February 27, 2024, the National Council also approved a motion by Aargau FDP Council of States member Thierry Burkart, after the Council of States had already done so. It goes to the Federal Council for implementation.
At its meeting on February 21, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative "For individual taxation regardless of marital status" (tax justice initiative) and the indirect counter-proposal (Federal Act on Individual Taxation).
The FTA is expanding its online services for withholding tax and stamp duties.
On February 19, 2024, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS published the report on Amount B of Pillar I.
At its meeting on February 14, 2024, the Federal Council opened the consultation process for a new regulation regarding the delivery of A Mail Plus consignments at weekends.
The Federal Tax Administration has updated circular no. 26 (W95-003D) "Innovations in self-employment due to the Corporate Tax Reform II of 06.02.2024 (Direct Federal Tax)".
The canton of Zurich is strengthening Zurich as a foundation location: the tax office is adapting its practice on tax exemption for charitable foundations. In doing so, the canton is implementing a key measure of the initiative to strengthen Zurich as a foundation location and is improving the framework conditions for a modern and effective foundation system.
Administrative criminal law is to be modernized, made more efficient and aligned with the Criminal Procedure Code. At its meeting on January 31, 2024, the Federal Council opened the consultation on the total revision of the Administrative Criminal Law Act (VStrR).
On 29/30 January 2024, the FTA published the circulars on the tax-recognized interest rates in Swiss francs and foreign currencies 2024.
On January 19, 2024, the FTA published the list of Italian municipalities within the meaning of Art. 2 of the cross-border commuter agreement with Italy, valid from January 1, 2024.
The imputed interest rate on the security equity corresponds to the yield on ten-year federal bonds on the last trading day of the calendar year preceding the beginning of the tax period in accordance with Article 25abis paragraph 4 first sentence StHG.