payments to employees of third parties - taxable income from employment
A commentary on the decision of the Federal Supreme Court of 15 March 2019 2C_703/2017.
Investing in art - Does Pablo Picasso still give pleasure after the tax bill? The fake, the stolen and the real Picasso in the light of civil and tax law
"Does Pablo Picasso still give pleasure after the tax bill?" The answer to the initial question depends on whether you bought a fake, a stolen or a genuine Picasso. We must therefore examine the initial question in the first step in the light of civil law and in the second step in the light of tax law. A Zurich art collector will accompany us on this journey. So much up front: when buying a real Picasso, there is still joy after the tax bill. The joy of a real Picasso is greater than the annoyance of the annual wealth tax bill sent by the tax authorities! We can understand the joy of a real Picasso a little better if we take a look back at the Basel Picasso year 1967.
Intercantonal change of residence of persons subject to withholding tax, which are subsequently assessed in an orderly manner
In the case of an intercantonal change of residence of persons subject to withholding tax who are subsequently assessed in an orderly manner, the question arises as to which canton or cantons have the right to tax the earned income and other income and taxable assets. In BGE 140 II 167, the Federal Supreme Court answered this question with regard to persons subject to the FMPA who transfer their residence to a canton with lower taxation. After outlining the legal basis and discussing the above-mentioned Federal Supreme Court ruling, the author examines the question of how persons not subject to the FMPA are treated and what the (tax) consequences are if - in the opposite case - a natural person moves to a canton with a higher tax rate and is resident there at the end of the tax year.
Remuneration, default and refund interest rate for direct federal tax for the calendar year 2020
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has decided that for the calendar year 2020 it will continue not to pay any refund interest on amounts of direct federal tax paid early. The interest rate on arrears and the reimbursement rate also remain unchanged.
FTA publishes working paper on cryptocurrencies and ICOs/ITOs
The emergence and spread of crypto-currencies have raised various questions about the tax treatment of these book-entry securities. The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a working paper outlining the practice developed to date (status end of May 2019).
Simplified taxation of the private use of company cars
According to a decision of the Federal Assembly, private use of company cars should be taxable at a flat rate which now also includes travel costs to the place of work. On 28 June 2019, the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) submitted an amendment to the ordinance for consultation.
Federal Council adopts additional message on the elimination of the "marriage penalty
On 14 August 2019, the Federal Council adopted the supplementary message on the amendment of the Federal Act on Direct Federal Taxation (Balanced Couples and Family Taxation).
Federal Council rejects popular initiative "Take the pressure off wages, tax capital fairly
At its meeting on 26 June 2019, the Federal Council dealt with the popular initiative "Relieve the burden on wages, tax capital fairly" and instructed the FDF to prepare a dispatch with a motion for rejection without a counter-proposal.
Circular: List of cantons with different imputed rental values for cantonal taxes and direct federal tax as of tax period 2018
On 9 July 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a circular containing a list of cantons with different imputed rental values for cantonal taxes and direct federal tax as of the 2018 tax period.
FDK comments on the partial abolition of the imputed rental value
In a media release dated 13 June 2019, the Conference of Cantonal Finance Directors (FDK) issued a statement on the proposal of the preliminary advisory commission of the Council of States to reform the taxation of residential property.
Federal Supreme Court annuls vote on marriage penalty
The Federal Supreme Court revokes the 2016 vote on the popular initiative "For marriage and family - against the marriage penalty". The Federal Council's incomplete and non-transparent information would have violated the freedom of voters to vote. Given the narrow rejection of the bill and the seriousness of the irregularities, it is possible that the result of the vote could have been different.
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"
