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.
One Uber as a digital business location?
Based on the concrete example of Uber , the aim of this paper is to find answers to the following questions: Can users play a decisive role in the value creation of a company in the digital economy? And if so, how can they be used to address the challenges of taxation in the digital economy?
Entry into force of the Protocol of Amendment to the DTA with Japan
The Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Japan has entered into force. With the exception of individual provisions, most of the amendments are applicable as of January 1, 2023.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the amendment of the DTA with Tajikistan
On 16 November 2022, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the amending protocol to the DTA with Tajikistan. The protocol implements the minimum standards from the BEPS project.
Switzerland and United Arab Emirates sign protocol of amendment to DTA
Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates signed a protocol amending the agreement for the avoidance of double taxation (DTA) in the area of taxes on income in Abu Dhabi on November 5, 2022. The protocol implements the minimum standards from the BEPS project in matters of double taxation agreements.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and France
On October 27, 2022, SIF announced that the mutual agreement of July 18, 2022, on the taxation of telework between Switzerland and France will remain in force until December 31, 2022.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
On October 13, 2022, SIF published the "Mutual Agreement of September 6 and 29, 2022, respectively, on the procedural rules of the arbitration procedure provided for in Article 25 (Mutual Agreement Procedure), paragraph 5, of the Agreement of February 26, 2010, between the Swiss Confederation and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the avoidance of double taxation in the field of taxes on income and for the prevention of fiscal fraud and tax evasion."
Suspension of the exchange of information with Russia
On 16 September 2022, the Federal Council decided to temporarily suspend the exchange of tax information with Russia based on the public policy reservation of the Administrative Assistance Convention in Tax Matters.
SIF updates overview of tax relief for Turkey
On August 30, 2022, SIF updated the overview of the effects of the agreement (extent of relief) concerning Turkey.
FTA publishes circular regarding the refund of withholding tax on lump-sum pension benefits in relation to Italy
On August 12, 2022, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the circular "Explanatory notes on the refund of withholding tax on lump-sum pension benefits to recipients resident in Italy".
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"