Tax avoidance through offshore structures
On Sunday evening, 4 October 2021, various media around the world simultaneously published the so-called "Pandora Papers", which once again accuse various individuals of tax evasion and tax avoidance through structures, be it in the form of foundations, trusts or companies based in so-called tax havens. There have been similar revelations before, namely in April 2016 in the "Panama Papers" and in November 2017 in the "Paradise Papers". What all these revelations have in common is that they are based on data leaks and target prominent people from politics, business, sports and entertainment with media attention. The revelations have led to an increased call for transparency and increasingly strict compliance regulations. However, the media also reveal that these offshore companies are legal structures used to optimise taxes, but not to evade them. Foundations and trusts are indeed legal structures that are usually not set up for purely tax considerations. Nevertheless, such (offshore) structures can lead to under-taxation if they are treated as fiscally transparent by the Swiss tax authorities and the founder/trustee and/or beneficiary resident in Switzerland has not declared the assets and income.
"Mother-daughter" arrangement between Italy and Switzerland
Opinion No. 537 of 6 August 2021 of the Italian tax authorities, described in this article, is a further sign of the "normalisation" of income tax relations between Italy and Switzerland.
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.
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Entry into force of the protocol of amendment to the double taxation agreement with Kuwait
The protocol of amendment to the DTA between Switzerland and Kuwait has entered into force. With a few exceptions, most of the amendments are applicable from January 1, 2025.
Taxes in the cost-plus method - FTA publishes statement on the ruling of the Federal Supreme Court 9C_37/2023
In its ruling 9C_37/2023 of June 11, 2024 (see our article), the Federal Supreme Court addressed, among other things, the question of whether or not the tax expense should be taken into account in the cost base when applying the cost-plus method in the context of Art. 58 para. 3 DBG.
International supplementary tax IIR to come into force in 2025
At its meeting on September 4, 2024, the Federal Council decided to bring the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) into force on January 1, 2025. In addition to the QDMTT, which was already introduced on January 1, 2024, this rule is intended to ensure that tax revenue remains in Switzerland.
Federal Council opens consultation on determining the partner states for the AEOI on crypto assets
At its meeting on August 14, 2024, the Federal Council opened the consultation on determining the partner states for the automatic exchange of information on crypto assets (AEOI on crypto assets). With this proposal, the Federal Council wants to determine when Switzerland should automatically exchange information on crypto assets with which partner states.
Switzerland and Hungary sign protocol of amendment to double taxation agreement
On July 12, 2024, Switzerland and Hungary signed a protocol of amendment to the DTA.
Switzerland and the USA agree on mutual exchange of information on financial data
Switzerland and the USA signed a new FATCA agreement in Bern on June 27, 2024. Switzerland currently provides information on financial accounts to the USA unilaterally. In future, it will also receive corresponding information from the USA as part of an automatic exchange of information. The model change is expected to apply from 2027.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on DTA with Angola
The Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the DTA with Angola on June 14, 2024.
Switzerland and Italy sign permanent tax rules for working from home
On June 6, 2024, Switzerland and Italy signed a protocol of amendment to the existing cross-border commuters agreement, which permanently regulates the issue of taxation of home offices. The protocol of amendment will enter into force as soon as the corresponding approval processes in both countries have been completed and will apply retroactively from January 1, 2024.
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Intercantonal and international tax differentiation for real estate of business and private assets
ISIS)-Seminar on 11-12 September 2017 - Intercantonal and international tax differentiation for real estate held as business and private assets
