Refund of withholding tax in international relations
The refund of withholding tax on dividends from Swiss companies by foreign shareholders can only be made on the basis of a double taxation agreement between Switzerland and the country of residence of the claimant. In order to claim relief from withholding tax under the applicable double taxation treaty, the residence of the claimant must be confirmed by the foreign tax authorities.
Transfer of the registered office to Switzerland - A case for the old reserve practice?
The problem of old reserves has become an integral part of daily tax consulting practice in Switzerland. The corresponding problem will be examined in this article on the basis of a transfer of the registered office of a foreign company to Switzerland. Here, too, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) initially assumed that the "old reserves" brought into Switzerland were subject to Swiss abuse practice without restriction.
Place of actual administration in the age of digitalisation & home office
Since the concept of the place of actual administration was incorporated into the law in 1951, digitisation has progressed in great strides. The author explores the question of the extent to which, in the age of home offices and video conferencing via the internet, criteria such as office space, lack of staff, lack of telephone accessibility and address redirection are still contemporary and whether the place of actual administration can still be determined geographically at all in the face of increasing mobility.
Mutual agreement on arbitration pursuant to Art. 24, para. 5 of the DTA with the United Kingdom
On 16 June 2021, Switzerland and the United Kingdom concluded a mutual agreement on the conduct of arbitration proceedings in accordance with Art. 24 para. 5 of the DTA between Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
FTA - Instruction on the correct submission of applications for the refund of foreign withholding tax to collective investment schemes
On 17 June 2021, the FTA published the new directive on how to submit applications for the refund of foreign withholding tax to collective investment schemes.
Memorandum of Understanding between France and Switzerland
On 16 June 2021, France and Switzerland announced that the Memorandum of Understanding on the taxation of international workers would be extended until 30 September 2021.
Strengthening Switzerland as a business location in the context of OECD work
The Federal Council has taken note of the status of the OECD/G20 work on global corporate taxation.
Mutual agreement between Switzerland and the USA on withholding tax exemption for pension plans
The Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Treaty between Switzerland and the USA, which was approved on 17 July 2019, provides that dividends paid to tied pension institutions (e.g. pillar 3a) will be exempt from withholding tax from 1 January 2020, provided that they do not control the US company paying the dividends.
Switzerland and Northern Macedonia sign Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Agreement
On 19 May 2021, a Protocol of Amendment to the DTA Switzerland - Northern Macedonia was signed, which implements the minimum standards in DTA matters.
Current cases on intercantonal and international corporate tax law
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 14/15 and 21/22 June 2021 entitled "Corporate Tax Law 2021".
Reimbursement in international circumstances - current practice and problem areas
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 21 September 2020 entitled "Practical cases on withholding tax and outlook on current developments".
