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.
FTA updates guidance on the standard for AEOI in tax matters
The FTA has updated the guidance on the standard for the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) in tax matters.
New cross-border commuter agreement between Switzerland and Italy of 23 December 2020
On 23 December 2020, Switzerland and Italy signed a new agreement on cross-border commuters, which replaces the current agreement of 1974 and now applies reciprocally.
Canton of Zurich: Tax segregation of companies with foreign permanent establishments
Section 57 para. 3 StG ZH was adapted to the corresponding provision in the law on direct federal tax with effect from 01 January 2021.
Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippines
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF has concluded a mutual agreement with the Philippines on the recognition and provision of Philippine tax residency certificates. This agreement will enter into force on 10 December 2020.
FTA publishes notices on FATCA group requests
On 1 December 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published FATCA group requests pursuant to Article 12(1) of the FATCA Law.
Consultation agreement with Germany on cross-border workers and state benefits extended
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) reported on 3 December 2020 that the consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany on the taxation of cross-border commuters and treatment of state support benefits will remain in force until 31 March 2021 (see our article of 13 June 2020).
Mutual agreement with France on cross-border taxation of home office workers extended
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) reported on 3 December 2020 that the provisional mutual agreement of 13 May 2020 between Switzerland and France on the taxation of cross-border workers who work in the home office as a result of measures taken to combat COVID-19 will remain in force until 31 March 2021.
ESTV - Agreement on mutual understanding between Switzerland and Austria
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF reported on 12 November 2020 the conclusion of a new Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and Austria on the implementation of Article 25 paragraph 5 (arbitration).
Problems with special forms of investment (trust, foundation, trust and similar) - national and international
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 10-11 September 2018
Current questions on withholding tax and stamp duties, including international issues (2018)
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 4-5 June 2018 entitled "Current problems and perspectives of corporate tax law".