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.
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.
OECD publishes consultation document on the introduction of a global minimum tax on profits
As part of its project on taxation of the digital economy, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published the consultation document on the introduction of a global minimum tax on profits (so-called "Global anti-Base Erosion" or "GloBE") on 8 November 2019.
Federal Council adopts dispatches on the amendments to the DTAs with New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden
At its meeting on 6 November 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatches concerning the amendment protocols to the double taxation agreements (DTAs) with New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the amendments to the DTA with Iran
At its meeting on 23 October 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the Protocol of Amendment to the Agreement on the avoidance of double taxation in the area of taxes on income and wealth (DTA) with Iran.
OECD publishes proposal on taxation of multinational companies
On 9 October 2019, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a proposal to ensure that large and highly profitable multinational companies, especially IT companies, pay taxes.
EU removes Switzerland from its watch list
Switzerland meets international tax standards and implements them. The European Union is now acknowledging this and removing Switzerland from its watch list. The amendment shall enter into force upon publication of the revised Annexes in the Official Journal of the EU.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the Protocol of Amendment to the DTA with Ukraine
At its meeting on 9 October 2019, the Federal Council approved the dispatch on the approval of a Protocol of Amendment to the Agreement to Avoid Double Taxation in the Area of Taxes on Income and Capital (DTA) between Switzerland and Ukraine. The protocol implements the minimum standards in double taxation agreements and also adapts the DTA to the current treaty policy of the two states.
Exchange of information with 75 countries on around 3.1 million financial accounts
According to the media release of the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) of 7 October 2019, the FTA has exchanged information on financial accounts with 75 countries. The exchange takes place within the framework of the global standard for automatic information exchange (AIA).
Protocol of Amendment to the DTA between Switzerland and the United States of America comes into force
Switzerland and the United States of America exchanged the instruments of ratification of the Protocol of Amendment to their Double Taxation Convention in the area of taxes on income (DTA) in Bern on 20 September 2019. The Protocol, which came into force on the same day, represents a milestone in tax relations between Switzerland and the USA.
Withholding taxes
Workshop by Dominique Frison and Jennifer Herren on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on May 22, 2025 entitled "Withholding taxes"
Social security law
Workshop by Franziska Stadtherr and Andreas Schiek on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on May 22, 2025 entitled "Social Security Law"
