Should Swiss financial institutions take part in the EU FASTER Directive?
The EU directive on Faster and Safer Tax Relief of Excess Withholding Taxes (FASTER) was formally approved at the end of 2024. The purpose of the directive is to make the refund procedure for withholding tax in the EU more efficient for investors and more secure for tax authorities. Member States will have to transpose the directive into national legislation by December 31, 2028, and these rules will become applicable from January 1, 2030. But what are the implications for Swiss-based financial institutions (FI)?
Need for practical adjustments in the case of intercantonal and international home office establishments
At the end of 2025, the OECD published an update to the OECD Model Tax Convention, which sets out in detail the conditions under which working from home can constitute a permanent establishment. The OECD introduces the new concept of a company's deemed power of disposal over its employees' homes. Based on the legal principles and previous Federal Supreme Court rulings, this article analyzes whether Swiss practice regarding home office permanent establishments should be adapted in light of this new concept and the experience gained from several years of home office work.
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.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the introduction of AIA with 19 other countries and approves audit report
At its meeting on 29 May 2019, the Federal Council opened the Dispatch on the introduction of the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts (AIA) with 19 other states and territories.
Switzerland and the Netherlands sign Protocol of Amendment to the DTA
On 12 June 2019, Switzerland and the Netherlands signed a Protocol of Amendment to the Convention on the avoidance of double taxation in the area of taxes on income (DTA).
Switzerland and Ireland sign Protocol of Amendment to the DTA
Switzerland and Ireland signed a Protocol of Amendment to the Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation in the Field of Taxes on Income and Capital (DTA) on 13 June 2019.
Switzerland and South Korea sign Protocol of Amendment to the DTA
On 17 May 2019, Switzerland and South Korea signed a Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Convention (DTA) in the area of taxes on income.
Protocol of Amendment to the DTA with Ecuador enters into force
The Protocol amending the Double Taxation Convention (DTA) between Switzerland and Ecuador in the area of taxes on income and wealth entered into force on 17 April 2019.
National Council approves agreement against tax avoidance
Parliament supports the implementation of international standards against corporate tax avoidance. Following the Council of States, the National Council has also come out in favour of an agreement.
National Council does not want a code of interpretation on tax self-reports
The National Council does not consider it necessary to know how the number of voluntary reports of tax evaders with impunity has developed since 2010. It narrowly refused by 98 votes to 93 to commission the Federal Council with a report on the matter. Even the latter would have considered it useful.
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".
