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).
Good news: Art. 23 VStG in conjunction Art. 70d VStG also applies to requests for reverse power under Art. 58 VStG
Since 1 January 2019, Art. 23 VStG in conjunction Art. 70d VStG concerning the non-forfeiture of the refund of withholding tax in force. The new regulation applies to claims that have not yet been legally decided since 1 January 2014 and, according to a new Federal Supreme Court decision, also applies to cases in which a tax office offset income and refunded the withholding tax, but reclaimed it after a reduction order by the EStV and the taxpayer appealed against it.
Refund of withholding tax under the new Art. 23(2) VStG - an interpretative regulation
The reimbursement of withholding tax to domestic recipients of services requires, among other things, that the income subject to withholding tax and the assets on which it is based are declared "in an orderly manner".
Adjustment of the price list regarding the Direct Federal Tax 2018
On 11 March 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published an adjustment to the share price lists (ICTax) regarding the Federal Direct Tax 2018.
Circular "List of providers of recognised pension products of tied pension provision (pillar 3a)
On 8 February 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the circular "List of Pillar 3b endowment insurance policies eligible for surrender".
Increase in tax deductions for health insurance premiums
The Commission has also discussed two motions calling for an increase in the deductions for health insurance premiums in direct federal tax. The Motion Grin (17,3171), which would like to almost double the current deductions, was transferred with 9 to 3 votes. For the majority of commission members, health insurance premiums are compulsory charges and part of the unavoidable cost of living. Higher deductions are justified by this and by the strong growth in premiums over the last few years. A minority rejects the motion because higher incomes would benefit disproportionately. The motion Lehmann/Regazzi (15,4027), which wants to make self-paid health insurance premiums fully tax deductible according to income, was rejected by 8 votes to 4. The gradation is problematic and complicates the tax system.
FTA publishes withholding tax treatment of profits from the Money Gaming Act
On 6 February, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a specialist information document on the withholding tax treatment of profits from the Money Gaming Act.
Residential property taxation: discussion of the preliminary draft commenced
The Commission for Economic Affairs and Taxation of the Council of States (WAK-S) has accepted without opposition the preliminary draft on the system change in the taxation of home ownership (17,400) and has largely conducted the detailed consultation.
Once more self-disclosures
Last year, the tax office of the Canton of Zurich received 7250 voluntary declarations, thus again significantly exceeding the record figure of the previous year (6200). This is due to the Automatic Information Exchange (AIA) of bank data, which came into force between numerous countries at the beginning of 2017. Since the possibility of voluntary reports without penalty (2010), the cantonal tax office had previously received 850 to 2100 such reports per year.
Greater fiscal consideration of the costs of third party childcare
The Economic Commission of the National Council has accepted without opposition the Federal Council's Dispatch 18.050 concerning the tax recognition of third-party childcare costs. This proposal is related to the initiative for skilled workers and is intended to promote the employment of women. The Commission considers that taxing the cost of external care can be an argument for women wishing to enter the labour market, as the cost of care is too high for many young families. In the overall vote, the Commission approved the unchanged proposal by 11 votes to 8 with 5 abstentions. However, a minority of the Commission wishes to limit the deduction to the proven costs of institutional provision of childcare outside the family (rejected by 18 votes to 5), while a second minority demands a deduction not only for third-party but also for self-care of children (rejected by 13 votes to 10). The transaction is expected to be dealt with in the spring session 2019.
Marriage penalty: External expert recommends a broader data basis for the FTA
The statistical basis for direct federal tax, on which the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) can draw, is insufficient. Therefore, especially the estimation of the number of persons affected by the marriage penalty remains subject to uncertainty. This is the conclusion of an external report commissioned by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), the results of which were presented to the Federal Council at its meeting on 7 November 2018.
Usufruct and right of residence as elements of estate planning for real estate
Workshop by Daniel Bader and Hanna Brozzo on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on November 12, 2024 entitled "Usufruct and right of residence as design elements of estate planning for real estate "
Tax issues relating to private investment in real estate
Workshop by Petra Caminada and Branko Balaban on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on November 12, 2024 entitled "Tax issues relating to private investment in real estate"
ISIS) seminar folder "Current problems in the taxation of private investments" (2024)
All documents from the ISIS) seminar "Current problems in the taxation of private investments" from September 23 - 24, 2024 under the direction of Andrea Opel 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.
