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.
FTA publishes circular "Interest rates in the area of direct federal tax for the 2021 calendar year / maximum pillar 3a deductions in the 2021 tax year".
On 22 October 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the circular "Interest rates in the area of direct federal tax for the calendar year 2021 / maximum pillar 3a deductions in the 2021 tax year".
Canton of Zurich: Amendment of the directive on the valuation of usufruct and periodic benefits for inheritance and gift tax purposes
The directive of the Finance Directorate of the Canton of Zurich on the valuation of usufruct and claims to periodic benefits for inheritance and gift tax purposes has been updated due to changes in life expectancy.
Deduction of professional expenses in the light of COVID-19 in the tax return 2020 (Canton of Zurich)
On September 9, 2020, the Cantonal Tax Office of Zurich published a notice according to which dependent employees can deduct their professional expenses (e.g. travel expenses between home and place of work and meals) in their 2020 tax return as they would have been incurred without COVID-19.
FTA publishes circular on flat rates for professional expenses and remuneration in kind 2021
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a circular entitled "Professional expense allowances and benefits in kind 2021 / Compensation for the consequences of cold progression in direct federal tax for the 2021 tax year".
FTA publishes statistics on the tax burden on individuals
A review of the 2010-2018 data shows that the tax burden in Switzerland has declined during this period.
Vote on the proposal to increase child deductions
On 27 September 2020, a vote will be held on whether the general child deduction and the deduction for third-party childcare should be increased in the Federal Direct Federal Tax Act (DBG).
Block chain and distributed ledger technology: No changes to tax law
At its meeting on 19 June 2020, the Federal Council took note of the report on a possible need to adapt tax law in the area of block chaining. The report comes to the conclusion that there is no need for specific legislative adjustments in tax law.
Specialties in wealth tax (valuation, bouclier fiscal, etc.)
Workshop by Marco Greter and Nina Blanz on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on September 23-24, 2024 entitled "Specialties in wealth tax"
Asset structuring through trusts and foundations
Workshop by Andrea Opel and Andrea Hildebrand on the occasion of the ISIS seminar from 23 - 24 September 2024 entitled "Asset structuring using trusts and foundations"
