Extraterritorial change of status through the introduction of the Income Inclusion Rule
With the introduction of the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR), Switzerland must in future also tax previously untaxed hidden reserves and goodwill of low-taxed or non-taxed foreign subsidiaries upon realisation that were created before 1 January 2024. This will result in a change of status analogous to STAF. This paper is a thought experiment on whether this change of status would not also have to result in a step-up for profit tax purposes from a constitutional and tax system point of view.
Tax offences as predicate offences to money laundering - Key takeaways for practitioners
Art. 305bis(1bis) of the Swiss Criminal Code entered into force on 1 January 2016, introducing aggravated tax misdemeanours as predicate offences to money laundering. Though highly debated at the time of its introduction, courts have been noticeably quiet on this provision in the years that followed. This article will analyse the developments since its adoption, outline the legal questions remaining open and forecast what the future may hold for this provision.
Implementation of the tax reform and AHV financing (STAF) in the canton of Solothurn and first practical experiences
With the adoption of the STAF by the Swiss electorate on 19 May 2019, the cantonal tax privileges were abolished in all cantons as of 1 January 2020 and replaced by instruments that are internationally accepted. While the Solothurn electorate approved the STAF at federal level with 58.6% of the vote, it simultaneously rejected the first cantonal proposal to implement the STAF, which would have provided for a significant reduction in the profit tax rate, with 51.4% of the vote. In the second proposal, which was accepted by the electorate, it was possible to agree on a less extensive, but still substantial, reduction of the profit tax rate. For the city of Solothurn, for example, the effective profit tax rate for legal entities will be 15.29% from 2022 (previously: 21.23%). In addition to this reduction in the profit tax rate and the legislative changes prescribed by the Federal Act on the Harmonisation of Direct Taxes of the Cantons and Municipalities (StHG), individual provisions of the Tax Act were adapted to the new accounting law with the implementation of the STAF in the Canton of Solothurn and accompanying measures were adopted in the area of natural persons.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the reimbursement of unlawfully levied VAT on Billag fees
At its meeting on 27 November 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch for a new Federal Act on the flat-rate remuneration of unlawfully levied value-added tax on reception fees for radio and television.
Federal Council adopts the dispatch on the amendment of the AIA Act
At its meeting on 20 November 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the amendment of the Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AIAG).
Implementation of STAF: Regulations enter into force on 1 January 2020
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved three ordinances on the Federal Tax Reform and OASI Financing Act (STAF). These amendments concerning the tax part will enter into force on 1 January 2020.
WAK of the National Council for the abolition of the turnover tax and the insurance tax or reform of the withholding tax
In its media release of 5 November 2019, the National Council's WAK provided information on the parliamentary initiative on turnover tax and insurance tax, on the reform of withholding tax and on the neutrality of legal forms in corporate taxation.
WAK of the Council of States occurs System change in imputed rental value
After the WAK of the Council of States had commissioned the administration at its August meeting to look into various issues in greater detail, it has now taken up the discussion of the change of system for imputed rental value and, according to the media release of 15 November 2019, voted in favour by 10 to 3 votes.
Popular initiative for a "micro-tax" launched
Initiators around Prof. Dr. Marc Chesney and former Federal Council spokesman Oswald Sigg announced to media people on 15 November 2019 that a collection of signatures for a popular initiative for a "micro-tax" is to start next January 2020.
OECD publishes consultation document on the introduction of a global minimum tax on profits
As part of its project on taxation of the digital economy, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published the consultation document on the introduction of a global minimum tax on profits (so-called "Global anti-Base Erosion" or "GloBE") on 8 November 2019.
Federal Council adopts dispatches on the amendments to the DTAs with New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden
At its meeting on 6 November 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatches concerning the amendment protocols to the double taxation agreements (DTAs) with New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Seminar folder ISIS)-Seminar "Change of Status, Patent Box and R&D Effort in Practice" (2021)
Case studies, detailed solutions and slides: Here you will find all documents (workshops and presentations) according to the following description from the ISIS seminar "Status change, patent box and R&D expenditure in practice" on 21 September 2021 under the direction of René Matteotti and Jürg B. Altorfer.
Withholding taxes - What to focus on in the new law?
Workshop by Birgitte Zulauf and Abramo Lo Parco on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 13/14 September 2021 entitled "Employee compensation in tax and social security law".