Tax-exempt legal entities for profit and supplementary taxes in Switzerland - A legal comparison
Not only the federal, cantonal and communal taxes on profits (DBG, StHG), but also the supplementary taxes (GloBE model regulations, MindStV) recognize the concept of subjective tax exemption for legal entities. The regulations are basically congruent, but there are several case constellations of practical relevance in which the supplementary taxes override the profit tax exemption (e.g. cantonal banks, health insurance companies, newly established companies). The author therefore sees a need for action on the part of legislators and tax authorities.
Taxation of spouses in international relationships - Federal Supreme Court ruling of September 23, 2024 Prejudice on tax separation issues
In its ruling of September 23, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court issued a long-awaited precedent on the issue of international tax differentiation of debts and debt interest in the case of international spouses and revised its ruling of March 2023 on the international transfer of maintenance payments to the divorced spouse. What does this precedent mean for practice and how should other exciting practical cases be handled?
Implementation of global minimum taxation - safe harbor transitional rules for investment entities
On January 1, 2024, Switzerland partially introduced the OECD minimum tax by means of the Minimum Tax Ordinance (MindStV). The implementation of the global legal requirements poses considerable challenges for companies due to the complexity of the regulations and the technical implementation in the accounting systems. For this reason, many companies fall back on safe harbor regulations provided by the OECD. In this context, the following article examines whether these also apply to investment entities that are part of the corporate group.
The new double taxation agreement between Italy and Liechtenstein - advantages and specific cases of application
On July 12, 2023, Liechtenstein and Italy signed a double taxation agreement (DTA). The agreement is based on the international standard of the OECD Model Tax Convention 2017, takes into account the results of the BEPS project and follows the agreement on the exchange of information (TIEA) that was concluded with Italy in 2015. The DTA increases legal certainty, leads to significant withholding tax reductions, reduces existing barriers to investment and financing and will make a decisive contribution to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Federal Council enacts new legal basis for the implementation of international agreements in the tax area
In the StADG, the provisions of the existing national federal law of 22 June 1951 on the implementation of federal intergovernmental agreements for the avoidance of double taxation and the ordinances based on it are taken over as far as necessary and supplemented with new provisions. It now regulates the essential points for the relief of withholding tax as well as penalty provisions in connection with the relief of withholding taxes on investment income. It also regulates how mutual agreement procedures are to be carried out domestically if the applicable agreement does not contain any provisions to the contrary.
FTA publishes final rulings on the FATCA agreement
On 22 October 2021, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) notified the issuance of final rulings pursuant to Art. 5 No. 3 lit. b FATCA Agreement.
Chair of the OECD Forum on Tax Administration (FTA) and the Joint International Task Force on Shared Intelligence and Collaboration (JITSIC) release statement on Pandora Papers
On 14 October 2021, the Chair of the OECD Forum on Tax Administration (FTA) and the Chair of its Joint International Task Force on Shared Intelligence and Collaboration (JITSIC) issued a joint statement on the Pandora Papers.
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer at the meeting of the G20 finance ministers and the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank
On 9 and 10 July 2021, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, together with SNB President Thomas Jordan, took part in the meeting of the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.
Exchange of information with 96 countries on around 3.3 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 96 countries. The exchange takes place within the framework of the global standard on the automatic exchange of information (AEOI).
FTA publishes FATCA final rulings (III; supplement)
On 30 September 2021, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) notified the issuance of final rulings pursuant to Art. 5 No. 3 lit. b FATCA Agreement.
Media release on Switzerland's position in connection with the Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy
On 8 October 2021, the Inclusive Framework of the OECD (including Switzerland) specified the key parameters for the future taxation of large, internationally active companies (see our article of 9 October 2021). According to a media release, Switzerland demands that the interests of small, economically strong countries be taken into account in their implementation and that legal certainty be created for the companies affected.
OECD publishes key points on the future taxation of the digitalised economy (Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy)
On 8 October 2021, the OECD published the "Statement on a Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation of the Economy". The document specifies the cornerstones for the future taxation of the digitalised economy on the basis of two pillars.
ISIS seminar folder "Gratuitous transfer of assets under tax law"
All documents from the ISIS) seminar "Gratuitous transfer of assets in tax law" from October 28, 2025 under the direction of Peter Mäusli-Allenspach in one PDF document. Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will find all documents of the individual workshops according to the following content description.
Practical examples of cross-border issues in relation to Germany
Case studies, slides and detailed solution notes from the workshop held by Hanna Brozzo and Iring Christopeit on October 28, 2025 on the occasion of the ISIS seminar "Gratuitous asset transfers in tax law".
