When does the tax authority treat easements as transactions that are equivalent to a sale of real estate?
The article analyzes the tax treatment of compensation paid in connection with the encumbrance by easements or their deletion. The focus is on the question of whether such transactions are equivalent to a sale and are subject to property gains tax. Legal criteria and practical examples are used to show how these cases are assessed under tax law.
Invalidity of discretionary assessments
With its latest decision of August 19, 2024 (9C_673/2023), published on September 25, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court confirms and clarifies its practice on the nullity of discretionary assessments.
Inheritance and gift tax at federal level - the so-called "Future Initiative" of the JUSO
The "Future Initiative" aims to tax the assets of natural persons through an additional inheritance and gift tax at federal level. With an exemption amount of CHF 50 million, the tax affects wealthy individuals. The proposed tax rate was set at 50%, without providing for exceptions to taxation. Due to the existing inheritance and gift taxes, this could lead to a much higher effective tax burden. Numerous unresolved questions and a planned retroactive effect are already causing great uncertainty well before a referendum at the beginning of 2026. This article uses examples to illustrate possible consequences and measures for action.
Restructuring merger between sister companies
This article first explains the different concepts of the need for reorganization under commercial law and tax law as well as the requirements for the tax recognition of the assumption of loss carryforwards in the context of a reorganization merger between sister companies. The tax consequences for the merged companies and for the joint shareholders are then also examined using examples.
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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.
FTA publishes withholding tax rates 2025
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published the 2025 withholding tax rates for all cantons.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the popular initiative "For a social climate policy - fairly financed through taxation (Initiative for a future)" (inheritance tax initiative)
On December 13, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative "For a social climate policy - fairly financed through taxation (Initiative for a future)". It rejected the initiative of the Young Socialists (JUSO) without a direct counter-proposal or indirect counter-proposal.
Federal Council introduces retroactive purchase option for pillar 3a
From January 1, 2025, people working in Switzerland who have not paid the maximum permissible contributions into their pillar 3a every year since the bill came into force will be able to pay these contributions retroactively for up to ten years and deduct these purchases from their taxes.
FDF reduces tax-free limit for travel to CHF 150
At its meeting on October 16, 2024, the Federal Council was informed by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) about the reduction in the value exemption limit for travel.
FTA publishes withholding tax rates 2025
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the 2025 withholding tax rates on October 8, 2024.
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Specialties in wealth tax (valuation, bouclier fiscal, etc.)
Workshop by Marco Greter and Nina Blanz on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on September 23-24, 2024 entitled "Specialties in wealth tax"
Asset structuring through trusts and foundations
Workshop by Andrea Opel and Andrea Hildebrand on the occasion of the ISIS seminar from 23 - 24 September 2024 entitled "Asset structuring using trusts and foundations"
