Tax aspects of pension assets of internationally mobile employees
Employees are more mobile than ever. As a result, they often have occupational and private pension assets in several countries. The tax situation becomes confusing at the latest when a cross-border transfer or payment of these pension assets to the beneficiaries is to take place. This article first introduces the basics and presents the respective tax consequences in Switzerland with regard to the payout from the foreign pension forms on the basis of two cross-border practical examples.
Joint and several liability between spouses in tax law "So examine him who is eternally bound..."
"I'm living in separation and my ex-partner refuses to carry outstanding tax bills from our marriage. "Can the IRS require me to carry those bills on my own?" These and similar questions are common in tax consulting. The answer is "It depends." This article answers the relevant questions and analyses the differences in cantonal and municipal taxes.
Taxation of compensation payments from share certificates
This paper focuses on the income tax treatment of income from investments in classical index and basket certificates from equities. The focus is on the view of the investor resident in Switzerland who holds the products as part of her private assets.
Taxation of spouses in international relations
An "international" spouse relationship from a tax law perspective exists if only one spouse is subject to unlimited tax liability in Switzerland, while the other spouse has no or only limited tax liability in Switzerland. It must also be a legally and factually unseparated marriage. The taxation of such "international" spousal relationships is opposed by the addition of factors as prescribed by law. However, according to the established case law of the Federal Supreme Court, the latter - unlike in intercantonal relations - cannot create any tax liability in Switzerland.
Federal Council sets benchmarks for individual taxation
At its meeting on August 30, 2023, the Federal Council defined the key parameters for the dispatch on the introduction of individual taxation. This bill will also serve as an indirect counter-proposal to the popular initiative "For individual taxation independent of civil status (tax fairness initiative)".
Cross-border commuter agreement with Italy has entered into force
On July 19, 2023, SIF announced that the new cross-border commuter agreement with Italy and an amending protocol to the DTA entered into force on July 17, 2023. The provisions are applicable as of January 1, 2024.
Consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF announced on 13 April 2023 that the competent authorities of Switzerland and Germany have concluded a consultation agreement on the application of Article 15(4) of the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and Germany.
FTA - Life annuities will be taxed flexibly as of 2025
The taxation of life annuities in pillar 3b will be flexibly adjusted to the investment conditions when it comes into force on January 1, 2025.
Consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany concerning withholding taxes
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF announces that the competent authorities of Switzerland and Germany have concluded a consultation agreement on the procedure for relief from German withholding taxes on dividends, interest and royalties under the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and Germany.
Federal Council opens consultation for new regulation of professional costs
At its meeting on December 21, 2022, the Federal Council opened the consultation process for a new regulation of professional costs.
Possibilities and limits of tax planning for investments of natural persons - national and international
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS seminar on 9/10 September 2019 entitled "Tax planning in the area of conflict between cost optimisation, tax compliance and Good citizenship - opportunities and risks".
Possibilities and limits of tax planning in the area of earned income and pensions - national and international
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS seminar on 9/10 September 2019 entitled "Tax planning in the area of conflict between cost optimisation, tax compliance and Good citizenship - opportunities and risks".
