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 adopts dispatch on double taxation agreement with Zimbabwe
At its meeting on November 5, 2025, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the DTA with Zimbabwe.
Consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF announced on October 16, 2025 that the competent authorities of Switzerland and Germany have agreed to extend the consultation agreement on the application of Article 15 paragraph 4 of the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and Germany.
Signing and opening of the consultation on the protocol of amendment to the AEOI Switzerland-EU in tax matters
The Protocol of Amendment to the Agreement on the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information to Promote Tax Compliance in International Matters, signed on October 20, 2025, adapts the agreement to the amended OECD standard and supplements it with new provisions on administrative assistance in the collection of VAT claims. The consultation will last until February 6, 2026.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the exchange of information on OECD minimum taxation
At its meeting on September 12, 2025, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the approval of the international legal basis for the exchange of information for OECD minimum taxation.
Federal Council opens consultation on AEOI with 8 other partner states
At its meeting on August 13, 2025, the Federal Council opened the consultation on the introduction of the automatic exchange of financial account information (AEOI) with 8 additional countries. The AEOI with these partner states is scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2027.
Supplementary tax: Date of application of the safe harbor rules on hybrid arbitrage arrangements in accordance with the administrative guidelines of December 18, 2023
The FTA announces that the rules regarding hybrid arbitrage arrangements under the temporary CbCR safe harbor of the administrative guidance of December 18, 2023 will apply to transactions after December 18, 2023.
Entry into force of the supplementary agreement (in particular home office) to the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and France
The supplementary agreement to the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and France entered into force on July 24, 2025.
Entry into force of the protocol of amendment to the double taxation agreement with Serbia
The protocol of amendment to the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Serbia entered into force on July 18, 2025. With a few exceptions, most of the amendments will apply from January 1, 2026.
Reimbursement in international circumstances - current practice and problem areas
Workshop by Oliver Oppliger on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on October 21, 2024 entitled "Restitution in international relations - current practice and problem areas"
Current cases on intercantonal and international corporate tax law (2024)
Workshop by René Matteotti and Philipp Betschart on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on June 3 - 4, 2024 entitled "Current cases on intercantonal and international corporate tax law"
Special issues in trust and foundation structures
Workshop on "Special Issues in Trust and Foundation Structures" by Andrea Opel and Stefan Oesterhelt on the occasion of the ISIS seminar "Structuring Private Assets by Means of Trusts or Foundations" on October 31, 2023.
ISIS) seminar folder "Corporate Restructuring" (2023)
Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will receive all documents of the individual workshops according to the following content description from the ISIS)-Seminar "Corporate Restructuring" of August 29, 2023 under the direction of René Schreiber.
