Cross-border commuter regulation Switzerland-France
The home office has fundamentally changed cross-border taxation - also in the relationship between Switzerland and France. New rules have applied to French cross-border commuters since 2023, which allow more flexibility but also place greater demands on employers and employees. This article provides a concise overview of the current tax framework and shows what should be paid particular attention to.
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.
Federal Council opens consultation on change to FATCA model
At its meeting on March 7, 2025, the Federal Council opened the consultation process for a new FATCA agreement.
Federal Council opens consultation on the exchange of information on OECD minimum taxation
On January 29, 2025, the Federal Council opened the consultation on the exchange of information regarding OECD minimum taxation.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and the USA
On January 8, the SIF published the Memorandum of Understanding dated December 5, 2024 regarding the eligibility of certain US and Swiss pension funds to claim treaty benefits pursuant to Art. 10 para. 3 DTA CH-USA.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and France
On December 17, 2024, the SIF announced that a new memorandum of understanding had been concluded between Switzerland and France on the taxation of cross-border teleworking.
Federal Council publishes report on the application of the direct favoritism theory for withholding tax
On December 13, 2024, the Federal Council published the report in fulfillment of postulate 22.3396 WAK-N from May 2022 "Avoiding disadvantages for Swiss companies through a uniform taxation practice".
Cancellation of the application of the most-favored-nation clause pursuant to the protocol of the DTA Switzerland-India
The protocol of amendment to the DTA between Switzerland and Kuwait has entered into force. With a few exceptions, most of the amendments are applicable from January 1, 2025.
Entry into force of the protocol of amendment to the double taxation agreement with Kuwait
The protocol of amendment to the DTA between Switzerland and Kuwait has entered into force. With a few exceptions, most of the amendments are applicable from January 1, 2025.
Taxes in the cost-plus method - FTA publishes statement on the ruling of the Federal Supreme Court 9C_37/2023
In its ruling 9C_37/2023 of June 11, 2024 (see our article), the Federal Supreme Court addressed, among other things, the question of whether or not the tax expense should be taken into account in the cost base when applying the cost-plus method in the context of Art. 58 para. 3 DBG.
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"