Value added tax in the annual financial statements - general information for practical application realization
The MWSTG includes standards for the clean recording of VAT in the annual financial statements, which must be observed. This article deals with the relevant standards of accounting law and refers to the current decision of the Federal Administrative Court on value added tax. The correct recording of turnover tax and input tax and the guarantee of the audit trail are important prerequisites for VAT compliance.
Voluntary VAT registration: Federal Supreme Court relativises decision of the Federal Administrative Court
In its decision of 28 May 2015, the Federal Supreme Court (FSC) ruled on a case based on the decision of the Federal Administrative Court (FAC) of 23 September 2014, which was commented on at the beginning of the year in the same place.
Publication of the drafts of the practical definitions of the VAT Department
On January 29, 2019, a revised first draft on the VAT practice topic: Cryptocurrencies was posted on the website. The deadline for comments is February 19, 2019, and the first draft will remain on line after the practical consultation.
VAT registration for mail order companies
On 1 January 2019, Article 7(3)(b) of the Federal Law on Value Added Tax (the so-called mail order regulation) will come into force.
Repayment of VAT on reception fees to all households in preparation
In four test cases, the Federal Court ordered on 2 November 2018 the refund of VAT on radio and television reception fees from 2010 to 2015. As a result of these rulings, the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) is proposing that the Confederation refund VAT to all households. DETEC is now preparing a legal basis for a lump-sum refund in the form of a credit to all households without the need for them to take action.
Parliament puts pressure on Billag VAT refunds
The Federal Council must create a legal basis so that the unlawfully levied VAT on radio and television reception fees can one day be repaid. Following the National Council, the Council of States has also approved a motion.
New VAT regulation Online shopping abroad could become more expensive from 2019
The Federal Council has decided that mail order companies with a turnover of at least CHF 100,000 in Switzerland must pay VAT. Foreign online merchants today do not have to pay VAT on small consignments with a tax amount of less than five francs. For Swiss mail order companies, however, different rules apply: The consignments are subject to VAT if the company is entered in the VAT register. From 1 January 2019, this unequal treatment will cease.
MWST: Publications on the Value Added Tax Act MWSTG
On 12 and 24 July 2018, substantive amendments concerning the publications on the partial revision of the VAT Act were published on the website of the FTA.
Applications for reduced rates
The Council of States wants to introduce a new VAT privilege for the hotel industry. It has accepted a motion by Stefan Engler, member of the Bündner CVP Council of States, calling for a "simplification" of packages. These are combinations of services or products that are taxed at different VAT rates. Today, the entire package is taxed at a reduced rate if at least 70 percent is subject to a reduced rate. Such combinations of services occur mainly in the hotel industry: The overnight stay taxed at a rate of 3.7 percent is combined with ski passes, wellness treatments or guided tours to form a package. This means that these services are also subject to the reduced hotel rate.
Update on value added tax
Workshop by Roger Rohner and Ralf Imstepf on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on June 3 - 4, 2024 entitled "Update on VAT"
VAT pitfalls with trusts and foundations
Workshop on "VAT pitfalls with trusts and foundations" by Isabelle Homberger Gut on the occasion of the ISIS seminar "Structuring private wealth by means of trusts or foundations" on October 31, 2023.
