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.
Social security aspects of home office
Home office work, which was imposed by the authorities during the pandemic, gave an additional boost to teleworking and the associated flexibilization of work. Even after the pandemic, home office remains widespread in many areas. Employees appreciate the new flexibility and no longer want to do without it. This also applies to the numerous cross-border commuters. The following article clarifies social security issues in connection with home office, especially in cross-border situations.
Combating the misuse of letterbox companies
On 22 December 2021, the European Commission published a draft directive to combat the abusive use of letterbox companies within the EU. The directive, which is to be classified under ATAD III, imposes reporting obligations on letterbox companies and leads to the loss of tax benefits if certain substance criteria are not met.
FTA publishes understanding agreement on the DTA with Liechtenstein
On 12 October 2020, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) published a memorandum of understanding on the DTA with Liechtenstein concerning the treatment of income of FC Vaduz players resident in Switzerland under the DTA between Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
FTA - Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and Australia
On 15 September 2020 the Memorandum of Understanding on the procedural rules of the arbitration procedure provided for in Article 24 (Mutual agreement procedure) paragraph 5 of the Double Taxation Convention Switzerland - Australia was signed.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and France on the taxation of cross-border commuters for teleworking or home office work remains in force until the end of 2020
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) reported on 28 August 2020 that the provisional understanding agreement of 13 May 2020 between Switzerland and France on the taxation of frontier workers working in the home office as a result of measures to combat COVID-19 remains in force until 31 December 2020.
Federal Council adopts messages on the new DTA with Bahrain and on the amendments to the DTA with Kuwait
At its meeting on 26 August 2020, the Federal Council adopted the messages on a new double taxation agreement (DTA) with Bahrain and on the Protocol of Amendment to the DTA with Kuwait.
FTA publishes Circular Letter No. 49 "Proof of business-related expenses for foreign transactions abroad" and Circular Letter No. 50 "Inadmissibility of tax deduction of bribes paid to public officials".
On 13 July 2020, the FTA published Circular No. 49 "Evidence of business-related expenses for foreign-foreign transactions" and Circular No. 50 "Inadmissibility of the tax deduction of bribes paid to public officials". At the same time, the predecessor circulars of the same name, No. 9 of 22 June 2005 and No. 16 of 13 July 2007, are repealed.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and the USA
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) reports the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding between the Swiss Confederation and the United States of America concerning the rules of procedure of the arbitration procedure provided for in Art. 25 para. 6 and 7 DBA CH/USA.
Switzerland and Malta sign Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Convention
On 16 July 2020, Switzerland and Malta signed a protocol amending the agreement to avoid double taxation (DTA) in the area of taxes on income and wealth. The protocol implements the minimum standards from the BEPS project in matters of double taxation agreements.
Switzerland and Cyprus sign Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Convention
On 20 July 2020, Switzerland and Cyprus signed a protocol amending the agreement to avoid double taxation (DTA) in the area of taxes on income and wealth. The protocol implements the minimum standards from the BEPS project with regard to double taxation agreements.
