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.
Taxation of spouses in international relations
An "international" spouse relationship from a tax law perspective exists if only one spouse is subject to unlimited tax liability in Switzerland, while the other spouse has no or only limited tax liability in Switzerland. It must also be a legally and factually unseparated marriage. The taxation of such "international" spousal relationships is opposed by the addition of factors as prescribed by law. However, according to the established case law of the Federal Supreme Court, the latter - unlike in intercantonal relations - cannot create any tax liability in Switzerland.
The unsuccessful move from Binningen to Wollerau - The location of the parking spaces for a Maserati and a Ferrari must be taken into account when determining tax residence
In its ruling of 19 September 2019 (2C_170/2019), the Federal Supreme Court had to judge an unsuccessful move from Binningen to Wollerau. It confirmed the ruling of 14 November 2018 of the Basel-Landschaft Cantonal Court (810 18 59).
FTA extends flat-rate taxation for the private use of business vehicles
On 17 March 2021, the FTA published the amendment to Art. 5a of the Professional Costs Ordinance. On the one hand, the current flat rate will be regulated in the Professional Costs Ordinance from 1 January 2022, and on the other hand, the flat rate will now take into account commuting costs and will be increased from 0.8% to 0.9% per month (or from 9.6% to 10.8% per year) for this purpose.
Taxation of capital benefits in the Canton of Zurich
The taxation of lump-sum benefits on withdrawals from the pension fund or the third pillar will be reduced in the canton of Zurich from the beginning of 2022 in order to take account of higher life expectancy and lower conversion rates in occupational pension provision.
Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and France
In view of the fact that the measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 are still topical, Switzerland and France have agreed that the mutual agreement signed on 13 May 2020 should remain in force until 30 June 2021.
List of surrenderable Pillar 3b endowment insurance policies published
The Federal Tax Administration published the circular "List of surrenderable Pillar 3b endowment insurance policies, as of 31 December 2020" on 9 March 2021.
List of recognised providers for pillar 3a published
The Federal Tax Administration published the circular "List of providers of recognised tied pension products (pillar 3a), as at 31 December 2020" on 8 March 2021.
Canton of residence responsible in future for withholding tax on heirs
An amendment to the Ordinance on Withholding Tax is due to come into force on 1 January 2022, according to which the heirs of an inheritance that has not yet been distributed will be able to reclaim withholding tax on inheritance income in their canton of residence (previously: last canton of residence of the deceased).
Tax-approved interest rates 2021 for advances or loans in Swiss francs and foreign currencies
The granting of interest-free or insufficiently interest-bearing advances or loans to participants or third parties related to them constitutes a payment in kind. This shall also apply to translated interest which is paid on the basis of obligations to participants or third parties close to them.
ISIS seminar folder "Gratuitous transfer of assets under tax law"
All documents from the ISIS) seminar "Gratuitous transfer of assets in tax law" from October 28, 2025 under the direction of Peter Mäusli-Allenspach in one PDF document. Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will find all documents of the individual workshops according to the following content description.
Practical examples of cross-border issues in relation to Germany
Case studies, slides and detailed solution notes from the workshop held by Hanna Brozzo and Iring Christopeit on October 28, 2025 on the occasion of the ISIS seminar "Gratuitous asset transfers in tax law".
