Investing in art - Does Pablo Picasso still give pleasure after the tax bill? The fake, the stolen and the real Picasso in the light of civil and tax law
"Does Pablo Picasso still give pleasure after the tax bill?" The answer to the initial question depends on whether you bought a fake, a stolen or a genuine Picasso. We must therefore examine the initial question in the first step in the light of civil law and in the second step in the light of tax law. A Zurich art collector will accompany us on this journey. So much up front: when buying a real Picasso, there is still joy after the tax bill. The joy of a real Picasso is greater than the annoyance of the annual wealth tax bill sent by the tax authorities! We can understand the joy of a real Picasso a little better if we take a look back at the Basel Picasso year 1967.
Intercantonal change of residence of persons subject to withholding tax, which are subsequently assessed in an orderly manner
In the case of an intercantonal change of residence of persons subject to withholding tax who are subsequently assessed in an orderly manner, the question arises as to which canton or cantons have the right to tax the earned income and other income and taxable assets. In BGE 140 II 167, the Federal Supreme Court answered this question with regard to persons subject to the FMPA who transfer their residence to a canton with lower taxation. After outlining the legal basis and discussing the above-mentioned Federal Supreme Court ruling, the author examines the question of how persons not subject to the FMPA are treated and what the (tax) consequences are if - in the opposite case - a natural person moves to a canton with a higher tax rate and is resident there at the end of the tax year.
WAK of the Council of States occurs System change in imputed rental value
After the WAK of the Council of States had commissioned the administration at its August meeting to look into various issues in greater detail, it has now taken up the discussion of the change of system for imputed rental value and, according to the media release of 15 November 2019, voted in favour by 10 to 3 votes.
Zurich shows more flexibility for start-ups
On 5 November 2019, the Finance Directorate and the Economic Directorate of the Canton of Zurich published a joint press release stating that there should be no tax obstacles to an agreed change in the ownership structure of founding shareholders.
FTA publishes tax statistics 2016
On 1 November 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the tax statistics of natural and legal persons for 2016.
FTA updates information sheets for athletes and organizers
On 22 October 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) pointed out in its Special Information that athletes, sportswomen and sports teams resident or based abroad may become liable to tax by participating in a sports event in Switzerland.
Remuneration, default and refund interest rate for direct federal tax for the calendar year 2020
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has decided that for the calendar year 2020 it will continue not to pay any refund interest on amounts of direct federal tax paid early. The interest rate on arrears and the reimbursement rate also remain unchanged.
FTA publishes working paper on cryptocurrencies and ICOs/ITOs
The emergence and spread of crypto-currencies have raised various questions about the tax treatment of these book-entry securities. The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a working paper outlining the practice developed to date (status end of May 2019).
Simplified taxation of the private use of company cars
According to a decision of the Federal Assembly, private use of company cars should be taxable at a flat rate which now also includes travel costs to the place of work. On 28 June 2019, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) submitted an amendment to the ordinance for consultation.
Accrual and deferral of profit and income from real estate held as business and private assets (in particular sale and realisation transactions), taxation of rent and imputed rental value as well as ground rent
ISIS) seminar on 11-12 September 2017 - Accrual and deferral of profit and income from real estate held as business and private assets (in particular sale and realisation transactions), taxation of rent and imputed rental value and of ground rent
Determination of the real estate gain of real estate of private assets as well as problems of taxation of the real estate gain in case of gift, advance withdrawal of inheritance and inheritance
ISIS) seminar on 11 September 2017
