Place of actual administration in the age of digitalisation & home office
Since the concept of the place of actual administration was incorporated into the law in 1951, digitisation has progressed in great strides. The author explores the question of the extent to which, in the age of home offices and video conferencing via the internet, criteria such as office space, lack of staff, lack of telephone accessibility and address redirection are still contemporary and whether the place of actual administration can still be determined geographically at all in the face of increasing mobility.
Taxation of international workers during the Covid 19 pandemic
René Matteotti, Peter Vogt and Natalja Ezzaini examine how the Swiss authorities dealt with the tax issues that arose as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic, which involved international employees and their work in home offices.
Tax aspects of pension assets of internationally mobile employees
Employees are more mobile than ever. As a result, they often have occupational and private pension assets in several countries. The tax situation becomes confusing at the latest when a cross-border transfer or payment of these pension assets to the beneficiaries is to take place. This article first introduces the basics and presents the respective tax consequences in Switzerland with regard to the payout from the foreign pension forms on the basis of two cross-border practical examples.
STAF transitional rules from an international perspective
Developments in international tax law have increased rapidly in recent years. The BEPS project to combat base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), initiated by the OECD and the G20 countries, was the main trigger for this unprecedented dynamic. With a comprehensive package of measures consisting of 15 action points, the aim is to take international action against harmful tax competition and aggressive tax structuring and thus prevent undesirable profit reduction and profit shifting.
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.