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.
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.
Maximum pillar 3a deductions in tax year 2025
The tax deduction for tied pension provision (pillar 3a) has been adjusted for the 2025 tax year.
Federal Council rejects popular initiative "Yes to fair federal taxes for married couples too"
At its meeting on June 26, 2024, the Federal Council defined its position on the Centre Party's popular initiative "Yes to fair federal taxes for married couples too - finally abolish discrimination against marriage!" and recommends that Parliament reject the initiative without a direct or indirect counter-proposal.
Federal Council rejects popular initiative "For a social climate policy - fairly financed through taxation (Initiative for a future)"
On May 15, 2024, the Federal Council defined its position on the popular initiative "For a social climate policy - fairly financed through taxation (Initiative for a future)".
Federal Council creates national basis for the taxation of teleworking by cross-border commuters
At its meeting on March 1, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the taxation of teleworking in international relations.
Parliament wants more powers for family foundations
On February 27, 2024, the National Council also approved a motion by Aargau FDP Council of States member Thierry Burkart, after the Council of States had already done so. It goes to the Federal Council for implementation.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on individual taxation
At its meeting on February 21, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative "For individual taxation regardless of marital status" (tax justice initiative) and the indirect counter-proposal (Federal Act on Individual Taxation).
Tax pitfalls in estate planning
Workshop by Ruth Bloch-Riemer on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 26 November 2020 entitled "Erbvorbezug, Erbgang, Erbteilung und Willensvollstreckung im Steuerrecht".
Facilitated subsequent taxation, tax succession and liability of heirs
Workshop by Nicole Bühler on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 26 November 2020 entitled "Advance withdrawal, inheritance, division of inheritance and execution of wills in tax law".
