Automatic exchange of information and (unpunished) voluntary declarations
Since 1 January 2010, taxpayers in Switzerland have been able to go unpunished when they report tax evasion for the first time. Since then, tax transparency has increased internationally. Switzerland is pursuing the approach of implementing the international minimum standards. This now also includes the automatic exchange of information. On the way to a transparent taxpayer, the question arises as to whether the possibility still exists or should exist for taxpayers to disclose previously untaxed assets without having to expect a fine.
Tax avoidance through offshore structures
On Sunday evening, 4 October 2021, various media around the world simultaneously published the so-called "Pandora Papers", which once again accuse various individuals of tax evasion and tax avoidance through structures, be it in the form of foundations, trusts or companies based in so-called tax havens. There have been similar revelations before, namely in April 2016 in the "Panama Papers" and in November 2017 in the "Paradise Papers". What all these revelations have in common is that they are based on data leaks and target prominent people from politics, business, sports and entertainment with media attention. The revelations have led to an increased call for transparency and increasingly strict compliance regulations. However, the media also reveal that these offshore companies are legal structures used to optimise taxes, but not to evade them. Foundations and trusts are indeed legal structures that are usually not set up for purely tax considerations. Nevertheless, such (offshore) structures can lead to under-taxation if they are treated as fiscally transparent by the Swiss tax authorities and the founder/trustee and/or beneficiary resident in Switzerland has not declared the assets and income.
Zurich change in practice regarding the lump-sum deduction for property maintenance costs
In a recent ruling, the Zurich Administrative Court stated that ancillary costs that are passed on to the tenants according to the effective method are not part of the taxable rental income. As a result, the Cantonal Tax Office has amended its leaflet on property maintenance and stipulates that, contrary to the ruling of the Administrative Court, from the 2020 tax period onwards the flat-rate maintenance costs will only be granted if all ancillary costs, with the exception of heating, hot water and staircase cleaning, are accepted as taxable income.
Tax treatment of employee share ownership in Switzerland - basic principles and current practical cases
Employee participation in the development of a company is very popular in Switzerland and abroad. The following article first presents the basics of the tax treatment of employee share ownership in Switzerland. Then two practical examples are discussed and the respective tax consequences as well as specific detailed questions in the same context are discussed in more detail.
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.
Federal Council adopts additional message on the elimination of the "marriage penalty
On 14 August 2019, the Federal Council adopted the supplementary message on the amendment of the Federal Act on Direct Federal Taxation (Balanced Couples and Family Taxation).
Federal Council rejects popular initiative "Take the pressure off wages, tax capital fairly
At its meeting on 26 June 2019, the Federal Council dealt with the popular initiative "Relieve the burden on wages, tax capital fairly" and instructed the FDF to prepare a dispatch with a motion for rejection without a counter-proposal.
Successful involvement of founders and employees
Workshop by Stefan Oesterhelt and Susanne Schreiber on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on June 7, 2023, entitled "Successfully engaging founders and employees".
Tax aspects of the establishment and development of the start-up
Workshop by Rebecca Schwarzenbach and Patrick Scherrer on the occasion of the ISIS)-Seminar on June 7, 2023, entitled "Tax aspects of founding and building a start-up".
Seminar folder ISIS)-Seminar "Criminal Tax Law" (2023)
Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will receive all documents of the individual workshops according to the following content description from the ISIS) seminar "Tax Criminal Law" from 09 May 2023 under the direction of Rolf Benz.
