Taxation of employees in the case of cross-border work in the home office
Sarah Bühler, René Matteotti and Peter Vogt address the taxation of international employees and their home office activities. They provide an overview of the existing regulations and pay particular attention to the cross-border commuter agreements with Switzerland's neighboring countries.
Implications of the home office for cross-border commuters between Switzerland and Germany
Working from home has become much more important due to the Corona pandemic. Many employers have found that working from home has proven successful and have introduced regulations that enable mobile working. This also affects cross-border commuters between Germany and Switzerland. A variety of tax regulations, especially in the DTA D-CH, as well as consequences under social security law must be taken into account.
Home office and the cross-border commuter agreement with Italy
Today, around 85,000 Italian residents work in the border cantons of Ticino, Grisons and Valais. The cross-border commuter agreement concluded with Italy is of great importance especially for the canton of Ticino with its approximately 75,000 cross-border commuters, of which around 66,000 are considered cross-border commuters within the meaning of the agreement.
Cross-border commuter regulation Switzerland-Liechtenstein
The double taxation agreement between Switzerland and Liechtenstein contains a special rule for cross-border commuters, according to which the income from employment earned in the State of activity is allocated to the State of residence for taxation. If, on the other hand, an employee in a cross-border context does not meet the criteria established for cross-border commuters, the earned income is allocated for taxation to the State of activity and the State of residence on a pro rata basis in accordance with the general principles. Against this background, employers who employ cross-border commuters from Liechtenstein or Switzerland have different clarification and declaration obligations.
Protocol of Amendment to the DTA between Switzerland and the United States of America comes into force
Switzerland and the United States of America exchanged the instruments of ratification of the Protocol of Amendment to their Double Taxation Convention in the area of taxes on income (DTA) in Bern on 20 September 2019. The Protocol, which came into force on the same day, represents a milestone in tax relations between Switzerland and the USA.
Federal Council adopts dispatches on the amendments to the DTAs with Ireland and Korea
At its meeting on 20 September 2019, the Federal Council adopted the Dispatches on the Protocols of Amendment to the double taxation agreements (DTAs) with Ireland and Korea. The protocols implement the minimum standards in the area of DTAs. In addition, an arbitration clause is included in the DTA with Ireland. Both messages were referred to the Federal Assembly.
Federal Supreme Court ruling of 26 July 2019 (2C_653/2018): Administrative assistance to France regarding the identity of UBS clients
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) may provide France with information regarding the identity of UBS clients presumed to be taxable in France.
Switzerland and Ireland sign Protocol of Amendment to the DTA
Switzerland and Ireland signed a Protocol of Amendment to the Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation in the Field of Taxes on Income and Capital (DTA) on 13 June 2019.
Switzerland and the Netherlands sign Protocol of Amendment to the DTA
On 12 June 2019, Switzerland and the Netherlands signed a Protocol of Amendment to the Convention on the avoidance of double taxation in the area of taxes on income (DTA).
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the introduction of AIA with 19 other countries and approves audit report
At its meeting on 29 May 2019, the Federal Council opened the Dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts (AIA) with 19 other states and territories.