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.
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.
Switzerland and Italy agree on permanent tax rules for working from home
On 10 November 2023, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter and the Italian Minister of Finance and Economy signed a declaration that permanently regulates the issue of taxation of home office for cross-border commuters.
Federal Council in favour of including taxes in the subsistence minimum
In a report dated 1 November 2023, the Federal Council is in principle in favour of taking taxes into account when calculating the minimum subsistence level under debt enforcement law. However, the new rules on calculation are intended to ensure the payment of tax claims and to protect the claims of dependants under family law.
Maximum deductions for pillar 3a in the 2024 tax year
The tax deduction for tied self-provision (pillar 3a) remains unchanged for the 2024 tax year.
FTA - Circular on professional expense allowances and remuneration in kind 2024 / Compensation for the consequences of the cold progression in direct federal tax for the tax year 2024
On September 5, 2023, the FTA published the circular "Professional expenses lump sums and remuneration in kind 2024 / Compensation of the consequences of the cold progression in the direct federal tax for the tax year 2024".
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.
ISIS) seminar folder "The world of work on the move: tax and social security challenges (2025)"
All documents from the ISIS) seminar "The world of work on the move: tax and social security challenges" held on May 22, 2025 under the direction of Petra Caminada in one PDF document. Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will find all documents from the individual workshops according to the following content description.
Withholding taxes
Workshop by Dominique Frison and Jennifer Herren on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on May 22, 2025 entitled "Withholding taxes"
