Tax issues relating to real estate - current trends and hot topics
This issue is entirely dedicated to the topic of "Real Estate". The four articles shed light on the key issues that shape practice today. Real estate forms its own universe in tax law: the issues are complex and cantonal in nature. Between current taxation, property gains, corporate law structures and international interdependence, it is clear that even supposedly classic issues raise new questions. The latest developments impressively demonstrate how dynamic real estate taxation has become.
The Swiss taxation of real estate transactions in an international context
The Swiss real estate market is an increasingly interesting investment target for foreign investors. This article provides an introduction to the key tax aspects in connection with real estate transactions with cross-border implications. In addition to a brief outline of current tax issues, the article deals in depth with investments in commercial real estate and the question of whether an operating company or a real estate company exists for basic tax purposes, as well as the tax treatment of a sale of shares in a Swiss real estate company under Swiss unilateral law and treaty law.
Partnerships and other personal legal entities for supplementary taxes
It is not uncommon for privately held groups to have partnerships and other personal legal entities such as trusts, foundations or private individuals linked by shareholders' agreements at the top of the structure. This article analyzes how such legal entities are to be treated for Swiss and international supplementary taxes and to what extent the provisions of Swiss income and profit tax law have an influence on this.
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.
SIF updates list of DTAs with abuse provisions
On 17 January 2020, the Bilateral Tax Issues and Double Taxation Division of the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) updated the list of agreements with abuse provisions.
Federal Council opens consultation on the Federal Act on the Implementation of International Tax Treaties
At its meeting on 13 December 2019, the Federal Council opened the consultation process on the Federal Act on the Implementation of International Agreements in the Tax Field (new StADG). The consultation period will last until 27 March 2020.
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.
Possibilities and limits of corporate tax planning - national and international
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS seminar on 9/10 September 2019 entitled "Tax planning in the area of conflict between cost optimisation, tax compliance and Good citizenship - opportunities and risks".
Tax planning between legality and crime: tax evasion, abuse of rights, treaty abuse and tax crime - national and international
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS seminar on 9/10 September 2019 entitled "Tax planning in the area of conflict between cost optimisation, tax compliance and Good citizenship - opportunities and risks".
Possibilities and limits of tax planning for investments of natural persons - national and international
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS seminar on 9/10 September 2019 entitled "Tax planning in the area of conflict between cost optimisation, tax compliance and Good citizenship - opportunities and risks".
Possibilities and limits of securing tax planning (rulings, notifications, assurances, preliminary notices and the like), exchange of information, administrative and legal assistance
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS seminar on 9/10 September 2019 entitled "Tax planning in the area of conflict between cost optimisation, tax compliance and Good citizenship - opportunities and risks".
