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.
Application of the most-favoured-nation clause according to the protocol of the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and India
In its communication of 13 August 2021, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) provides information on the changes to dividend taxation due to the application of the most-favoured-nation clause in the DTA CH-IN.
FTA publishes circular concerning professional expense allowances and remuneration in kind 2022
On 13 August 2021, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the circular "Professional expenses lump sums and remuneration in kind 2022 / Compensation for the consequences of the cold progression in direct federal tax for the tax year 2022".
Federal Council adopts dispatch on new cross-border commuter agreement with Italy
At its meeting on 11 August 2021, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the new cross-border commuter agreement between Switzerland and Italy.
FDF - The reporting procedure for natural persons will not be pursued further
Based on the findings of a working group, the FDF decided on 5 August 2021 not to pursue the idea of a new reporting procedure for natural persons for withholding tax.
Consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany
On 22 June 2021, Germany and Switzerland announced that the mutual agreement on the taxation of international workers would be extended until 30 September 2021. The parties will then consult again in due course.
Deduction for health insurance premiums to be increased
The Federal Council proposes to increase the deduction for compulsory health insurance and accident insurance premiums in direct federal tax.
Canton of Zurich - Adjustment of the information sheet on the granting of social deductions and the application of tax rates for families
The canton of Zurich has adapted the information sheet (ZStB No. 34.2) to the new legal calculation.
Mutual agreement between Switzerland and the USA on withholding tax exemption for pension plans
The Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Treaty between Switzerland and the USA, which was approved on 17 July 2019, provides that dividends paid to tied pension institutions (e.g. pillar 3a) will be exempt from withholding tax from 1 January 2020, provided that they do not control the US company paying the dividends.
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"
