Taxation of spouses in international relationships - Federal Supreme Court ruling of September 23, 2024 Prejudice on tax separation issues
In its ruling of September 23, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court issued a long-awaited precedent on the issue of international tax differentiation of debts and debt interest in the case of international spouses and revised its ruling of March 2023 on the international transfer of maintenance payments to the divorced spouse. What does this precedent mean for practice and how should other exciting practical cases be handled?
When does the tax authority treat easements as transactions that are equivalent to a sale of real estate?
The article analyzes the tax treatment of compensation paid in connection with the encumbrance by easements or their deletion. The focus is on the question of whether such transactions are equivalent to a sale and are subject to property gains tax. Legal criteria and practical examples are used to show how these cases are assessed under tax law.
Invalidity of discretionary assessments
With its latest decision of August 19, 2024 (9C_673/2023), published on September 25, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court confirms and clarifies its practice on the nullity of discretionary assessments.
Inheritance and gift tax at federal level - the so-called "Future Initiative" of the JUSO
The "Future Initiative" aims to tax the assets of natural persons through an additional inheritance and gift tax at federal level. With an exemption amount of CHF 50 million, the tax affects wealthy individuals. The proposed tax rate was set at 50%, without providing for exceptions to taxation. Due to the existing inheritance and gift taxes, this could lead to a much higher effective tax burden. Numerous unresolved questions and a planned retroactive effect are already causing great uncertainty well before a referendum at the beginning of 2026. This article uses examples to illustrate possible consequences and measures for action.
Consultation agreement with Germany on the taxation of cross-border workers and state support services
On 11 June 2020, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF concluded a new consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany on the taxation of cross-border commuters and the treatment of state support services.
National Council adopts motion "Enabling purchases under Pillar 3a
In its session of 2 June 2020, the National Council adopted the motion "Enabling Pillar 3a purchases".
FDK rejects popular initiative "Relieve wages, tax capital fairly
On 2 June 2020, the Conference of Cantonal Finance Directors (FDK) published a press release on the popular initiative "Relieve the burden on wages, tax capital fairly".
Consultation agreement with Germany on the taxation of railway staff
On 13 May 2020, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF concluded a new consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany on the taxation of railway personnel.
ESTV - Taxation of compensation for loss of earnings due to corona
On 6 April 2020, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration published the Circular on the tax treatment of benefits under the Ordinance on Measures for Loss of Earnings in Connection with the Coronavirus.
Federal Council wants to align taxation of life annuities with interest rates
On 4 April 2020, the Federal Council adopted a consultation draft that aims to adjust the taxation of life annuities.
Selected parliamentary business in the tax area at federal level (March 2020)
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a revised version of the overview of selected parliamentary business in the tax field at federal level.
Federal Council has adopted a dispatch on the popular initiative "Relieve the burden on wages, tax capital fairly
At its meeting on 6 March 2020, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative "Relieve the burden on wages, tax capital fairly" (unofficially "99% initiative"). The Federal Council recommends that the initiative be rejected without a counterproposal.
Intra-family succession against payment and without payment
Workshop by Alexandra Hirt on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on November 16, 2022 entitled "Tax Aspects of Business Succession".
Questions choisies d'impôts directs, droits de donation et succession
Workshop by Nicolas Candaux and Arnaud Cywie on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar of November 16, 2022 entitled "Structuration du patrimoine privé au moyen d'un trust ou d'une fondation".