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.
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Switzerland and Angola sign a double taxation agreement
On November 30, 2023, Switzerland and Angola signed an agreement to avoid double taxation (DTA) in the area of taxes on income.
Consultation opened on lowering the tax-free limit for travel
In implementation of the 19.3975 Motion FK-N "Improving tax justice in the flow of goods in local border traffic", the FDF is planning to reduce the tax-free limit for goods in tourist traffic from CHF 300 to CHF 150 per person. The consultation on this has been opened.
Memoranda of Understanding between Switzerland and Italy - Telework 2023 / 2024-2025
On November 28, 2023, the SIF reported that the competent authorities in Italy and Switzerland had concluded two memoranda of understanding.
Entry into force of the Protocol of Amendment to the DTA with Tajikistan
According to the SIF, the Protocol of Amendment to the DTA with Tajikistan entered into force on 2 November 2023 and is generally applicable from that date.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the supplementary agreement to the DTA with France
On 22 November 2023, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the approval and implementation of an additional agreement to the DTA with France, which regulates in particular the taxation of cross-border teleworking to the extent of up to 40% of working hours per year.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on amending DTA with Slovenia
On 22 November 2023, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on amending the DTA with Slovenia.
In the future, the international automatic exchange of information will also include crypto assets
In a joint declaration, around 50 countries, including Switzerland, commit themselves to the expanded international automatic exchange of information in tax matters (AEOI). The extension affects crypto assets and is scheduled to apply from January 1, 2026. By the end of June 2024, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) will prepare a consultation draft for the implementation of the expanded AEOI.
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