Declaration obligations, advisor liability and mitigation of penalties: hot topics in criminal tax law
If declaration obligations are breached - both in the mixed assessment procedure and in the self-assessment system - which lead to a (possible) tax reduction, the question of criminal liability regularly arises in addition to the levying of any additional tax. The representative of the taxable person is increasingly being targeted by the tax authorities.
Criminal tax law risks of tax advice
As the legally compliant fulfillment of tax obligations requires knowledge of tax law, which the taxpayer often lacks in whole or in part, many taxpayers seek help in fulfilling their declaration obligations. If there are declaration errors that lead to at least the threat of a tax loss, the involvement of a specialist does not release the taxpayer from their responsibility for their tax declaration. Conversely, the professional involved, the tax advisor, can also be targeted by the authorities responsible for prosecuting tax offenses.
Dangerous game with risk of discovery - The criminal tax liability of external advisors and internal functionaries in the light of the Federal Supreme Court rulings 6B_90/2024 and 6B_93/2024
The Federal Supreme Court rulings 6B_90/2024 and 6B_93/2024 of February 3, 2025 raise fundamental questions regarding the criminal liability of tax advisors. The focus is on the requirements for perpetration of tax evasion and incitement to do so, as well as the distinction between permissible tax advice and punishable cooperation. The judgments shed light on the different roles of internal and external advisors and their significance for practice and the application of the law.
Unfair conduct by taxpayers when determining tax domicile in an intercantonal relationship
As tax evasion presupposes a breach of procedural obligations, this article takes a closer look at the procedural obligations, in particular the taxpayer's duty to cooperate, both in ordinary assessment proceedings and in tax domicile proceedings. Finally, the supplementary tax procedure is also addressed, taking into account the latest case law of the Federal Supreme Court on the terms "unknown" or "new" facts and evidence.
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.
Maximum Pillar 3a deductions in tax year 2023
The tax deduction under the tied pension plan (pillar 3a) was adjusted for the tax year 2023 and amounts to:
FTA publishes tax statistics for individuals and legal entities 2019
On November 3, 2022, the FTA published the 2019 tax statistics.
FTA publishes interest rates for direct federal tax 2023
On October 13, 2022, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the - unchanged - interest rates for the 2023 direct federal tax:
Tax justice initiative has come to fruition
The federal popular initiative "For individual taxation independent of civil status (tax justice initiative)" submitted on September 8, 2022, has formally come into effect.
FTA - Circular on professional expense allowances and remuneration in kind 2023 / Compensation for the consequences of the cold progression in direct federal tax for the tax year 2023
On September 21, 2022, the FTA published the circular "Professional expenses lump sums and remuneration in kind 2023 / Compensation of the consequences of the cold progression in the direct federal tax for the tax year 2023".
Family foundations and trusts in estate planning
Workshop on "Family Foundations and Trusts in Estate Planning" by Daniel Bader, Hanna Brozzo and Marlene Kobierski on the occasion of the ISIS seminar "Structuring Private Wealth by Means of Trusts or Foundations" on October 31, 2023.
ISIS)-Seminar folder "Taxation of shareholder and company in personal companies" (2023)
Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will receive all documents of the individual workshops according to the following content description from the ISIS)-Seminar "Taxation of Shareholder and Company at Personally Owned Businesses" from September 18 - 19, 2023 under the direction of Andrea Opel.
Reclassification of capital gain as taxable capital income
Workshop on "Reclassification of capital gain from sale into taxable capital gain" by Thomas Wolfensberger and Marco Buchmann on the occasion of the ISIS seminar "Taxation of Shareholder and Company in Personally Owned Businesses" on September 18 - 19, 2023.
