Quasi-property trading - from the elasticity of the criteria
In its ruling, which was heard in public on October 13, 2022 and served on the parties in writing on March 30, 2023, the Federal Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of a married couple residing in the Canton of Zurich. It upheld the ruling of the Administrative Court of the Canton of Zurich, according to which the taxpayers had qualified as quasi-real estate dealers by selling a rented apartment building. The Federal Supreme Court based its decision on the fact that the taxpayers, who also held other rented properties in co-ownership, had taken a high financial risk when acquiring the property, had sold the property after a short holding period (5 ½ years), had spent a great deal of time managing the property during the holding period and had acquired it with the plan of achieving the highest possible profit upon sale. In their discussion of the ruling, the authors deal with the Federal Supreme Court's reasoning and explain why the ruling leads to legal uncertainties in practice.
Income tax-free repayment of a hidden capital contribution to the shareholder
The Federal Supreme Court had to decide for the first time whether the repayment of a hidden capital contribution to the shareholder constitutes taxable investment income or whether it can be made tax-free. After interpreting the term "repayment of contributions" in Art. 20 para. 3 DBG, it comes to the conclusion that hidden capital contributions also fall under this, that the accounting requirement from Art. 5 para. 1bis VStG is not relevant and that the repayment of a hidden capital contribution is income tax-free.
Algorithmically verified tax return in the ordinary mixed assessment procedure
The digitization of the tax area and, in particular, the automation of the assessment process are advancing. In the process, risk management systems can be used to automatically check the plausibility of tax returns. Such a risk analysis can lead to challenges under fundamental rights and data protection law, which must be countered in particular by creating specific legal foundations.
How mobile working is changing tax and social security law
The home office has long since become a normal form of work. It enables greater flexibility and thus a better life-work balance, which is why many employees no longer want to do without it. In addition, the home office can also be advantageous for companies: In particular, office space can be reduced, thereby saving on rental costs and energy costs, and employee motivation can be kept high.
Uniform flat-rate tax deduction for all employed persons
At its meeting on 17 November 2021, the Federal Council instructed the FDF to draw up a bill concerning a uniform flat-rate tax deduction for all employed persons.
FTA publishes maximum pillar 3a deductions
In 2022, the tax deduction within the scope of tied personal pension provision (pillar 3a) is CHF 6,883 for taxpayers with a 2nd pillar and CHF 34,416 for taxpayers without a 2nd pillar. The maximum deductions are also the relevant payment limits.
FTA publishes tax statistics for individuals and legal entities 2018
On 8 November, the FTA published the 2018 tax statistics.
The FTA has updated the statistics on the capital contribution principle (November 2021)
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has updated the statistics on the capital contribution principle (capital contributions, repayments and other changes) as of 30 September 2021.
Council of States agrees on bill to abolish imputed rental value
On 21 September 2021, the Council of States, as the first Council, approved the bill.
Federal Council presents a study on individual taxation
At its meeting on 24 September 2021, the Federal Council approved the outline of individual taxation.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and France
SIF announced on 23 September 2021 that the provisional mutual agreement of 13 May 2020 between Switzerland and France on the taxation of cross-border workers who work in the home office as a result of measures taken to combat COVID-19 will remain in force until 31 December 2021.
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"