Implementation of global minimum taxation - safe harbor transitional rules for investment entities
On January 1, 2024, Switzerland partially introduced the OECD minimum tax by means of the Minimum Tax Ordinance (MindStV). The implementation of the global legal requirements poses considerable challenges for companies due to the complexity of the regulations and the technical implementation in the accounting systems. For this reason, many companies fall back on safe harbor regulations provided by the OECD. In this context, the following article examines whether these also apply to investment entities that are part of the corporate group.
The new double taxation agreement between Italy and Liechtenstein - advantages and specific cases of application
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 definition of turnover according to the Minimum Tax Ordinance
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.
Taxation of spouses in international relations - tax segregation issues
In the zsis) issue of November 2019, the authors dealt with tax law stumbling blocks in the taxation of spouses in international relationships. In this article, they have focused on the tax segregation of international spouses. On the basis of a test scheme with three questions, they show that a systematic procedure is essential for correct tax segregation and that there is still a need for action here on the part of the assessment authority and the courts.
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Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer at the meeting of the G20 finance ministers and the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank
On 9 and 10 July 2021, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, together with SNB President Thomas Jordan, took part in the meeting of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.
Exchange of information with 96 countries on around 3.3 million financial accounts
According to the media release of the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) of 7 October 2019, the FTA has exchanged information on financial accounts with 96 countries. The exchange takes place within the framework of the global standard on the automatic exchange of information (AEOI).
FTA publishes FATCA final rulings (III; supplement)
On 30 September 2021, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) notified the issuance of final rulings pursuant to Art. 5 No. 3 lit. b FATCA Agreement.
Media release on Switzerland's position in connection with the Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy
On 8 October 2021, the Inclusive Framework of the OECD (including Switzerland) specified the key parameters for the future taxation of large, internationally active companies (see our article of 9 October 2021). According to a media release, Switzerland demands that the interests of small, economically strong countries be taken into account in their implementation and that legal certainty be created for the companies affected.
OECD publishes key points on the future taxation of the digitalised economy (Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy)
On 8 October 2021, the OECD published the "Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy". The document specifies the cornerstones for the future taxation of the digitalised economy on the basis of two pillars.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and France
SIF announced on 23 September 2021 that the provisional mutual agreement of 13 May 2020 between Switzerland and France on the taxation of cross-border workers who work in the home office as a result of measures taken to combat COVID-19 will remain in force until 31 December 2021.
Consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany
SIF announced on 07 September 2021 that the consultation agreement of 11 June 2020 between Switzerland and Germany concerning the taxation of cross-border workers during the COVID-19 pandemic will not be terminated until at least 31 December 2021.
Application of the most-favoured-nation clause according to the protocol of the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and India
In its communication of 13 August 2021, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) provides information on the changes to dividend taxation due to the application of the most-favoured-nation clause in the DTA CH-IN.
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