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.
Federal Council repeals the transitional provision in the Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters
At its meeting on 7 November 2018, the Federal Council decided to repeal the transitional provision on the term "participating states" in the Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters as of 1 January 2019. This will implement an international requirement.
Commission suspends consultation on double taxation agreement with Saudi Arabia
Following the murder of the journalist Khashoggi, the Commission has decided to suspend discussion of this agreement until the Federal Council has thoroughly reviewed Switzerland's relations with Saudi Arabia.
First exchange of information on around 2 million financial accounts
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has exchanged information on financial accounts for the first time. The exchange takes place within the framework of the global standard for automatic information exchange (AIA).
Federal Council adopts dispatch on double taxation agreement with Brazil
On 5 September 2018 the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the double taxation agreement (DTA) in the area of income taxes with Brazil. This is the first DTA between Switzerland and Brazil. The agreement was signed in Brasilia on 3 May 2018 and will come into force following approval by the parliaments of both countries.
No extension of mutual assistance for fiscal offences
Following its decision not to revise the law on fiscal offences, the Federal Council has also decided not to extend mutual assistance in fiscal offences. In particular, it would put the Swiss tax authorities at a disadvantage compared to foreign tax authorities. The Federal Council took this decision at its meeting on 29 August 2018.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the BEPS Convention
On 22 August 2018, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the multilateral agreement on the implementation of measures to prevent base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). The message was referred to the Federal Councils.
FTA sends country-specific reports from multinational corporations for the first time (June 2018)
At the end of June, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) will for the first time send country-specific reports from multinational corporations to 35 partner states. The reports are sent as part of the so-called country-by-country reporting. By the end of June, the FTA will have sent a total of 109 reports to 35 countries. The country-specific reports contain, among other things, information on the worldwide distribution of income, the taxes paid and the most important economic activities of the Group in various countries. The content is confidential and subject to the principle of speciality.
Regulation on international administrative assistance (9 May 2018)
At its meeting on 9 May 2018, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the approval of the agreements on the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts (AIA) with Singapore and Hong Kong. With the same dispatch, the Federal Council is proposing to parliament the introduction of the AIA with other financial centres. In October 2017, the Federal Council decided to apply the agreements with Singapore and Hong Kong provisionally as of 1 January 2018 and to exchange account information with these countries for the first time in autumn 2019. This was the only way to ensure that the timetable could be adhered to. With the current proposal, the Federal Council is now asking the Federal Assembly for authorisation to ratify the two agreements. At the same time, the Federal Council is proposing as an option to implement the AIA with Singapore and Hong Kong based on the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) on the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts. This solution takes into account the latest developments in Singapore and Hong Kong and would allow the AIA to be implemented on a multilateral basis.
Transfert de siège et restructurations transfrontalières
Cas pratiques présentés par Rebecca Dorasamy lors du séminaire ISIS) du 03 novembre 2021 intitulé "Restructurations / Fusions / Acquisitions".
Demarcation issues regarding social security subordination in an international context
Workshop by Jennifer Herren and Lukas Stotzer on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 31 August 2021 entitled "Withholding Tax Reform: Implications for Practice".
