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.
The definition of turnover according to the Minimum Tax Ordinance
According to the Minimum Tax Ordinance (MindStV), business units belonging to Switzerland are subject to Swiss supplementary tax if they belong to a group of companies with a turnover of at least EUR 750 million. The concept of turnover as a central prerequisite for subjective tax liability is only rudimentarily regulated in the ordinance. This article examines this concept from different perspectives with reference to various OECD/G20 documents and identifies open questions.
Taxation of spouses in international relations - tax segregation issues
In the zsis) issue of November 2019, the authors dealt with tax law stumbling blocks in the taxation of spouses in international relationships. In this article, they have focused on the tax segregation of international spouses. On the basis of a test scheme with three questions, they show that a systematic procedure is essential for correct tax segregation and that there is still a need for action here on the part of the assessment authority and the courts.
Taxation of employees in the case of cross-border work in the home office
Sarah Bühler, René Matteotti and Peter Vogt address the taxation of international employees and their home office activities. They provide an overview of the existing regulations and pay particular attention to the cross-border commuter agreements with Switzerland's neighboring countries.
BEPS Convention entered into force on 1 December 2019
The Multilateral Agreement on the Implementation of Agreement-Based Measures to Prevent the Reduction and Transfer of Profits ("BEPS Agreement") has been in force since 1 December 2019. With the help of the Convention, existing double taxation agreements can be adapted to the recommendations from the BEPS project.
Federal Council adopts the dispatch on the amendment of the AIA Act
At its meeting on 20 November 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the amendment of the Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AIAG).
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.
Intercantonal and cross-border real estate transactions
Workshop by Laetitia Fracheboud and Olivier Margraf on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar of 12/13 September 2022 entitled "Intercantonal and cross-border land transactions".
Reimbursement in international circumstances - current practice and problem areas
Workshop by Oliver Oppliger on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on August 30, 2022, entitled "Restitution in International Relations - Current Practice and Problem Areas".