Reform of the withholding tax - can the Gordian knot be untangled?
With its dispatch of April 2021 on the reform of the withholding tax, the Federal Council is making a new attempt to strengthen the domestic debt capital market. The bill is economically necessary and suitable for finding a pragmatic solution that is acceptable to the majority. Parliamentary consultations have already begun.
Withholding tax and debt capital, including the planned revision of the Withholding Tax Act
In terms of withholding tax, we focus on withholding tax on the income from equity securities. In particular, pecuniary benefits occupy us and often lead to emotionally profound experiences and contacts with withholding tax. Similarly, we constantly deal with the question of the refund of withholding tax owed, including the issue of "How can I repatriate profit reserves subject to withholding tax abroad?
Withholding tax reform - "more than meets the eye
The withholding tax reform bill introduced with the Federal Council Dispatch published on 14 April 2021 aims to largely abolish withholding tax on interest income and, as an accompanying measure, to abolish the turnover tax on Swiss bonds. In this context, implementation issues at the banks and financial institutions, the effects of the reform on structured products and group financing, the treatment of substitute payments in securities lending/borrowing transactions and indirect interest investments are examined in greater detail.
Editorial for the special issue "Implementation of the STAF
At zsis we are pleased to be able to provide an overview of the implementation of the corporate tax reform in the individual cantons. The authors not only provide information on the reduction of the profit tax rate, but also highlight the change from tax privileges to ordinary corporate taxation. They also report on the other cantonal particularities.
Federal Council adopts partial revision of the Value Added Tax Ordinance.
At its meeting on August 21, 2024, the Federal Council adopted a partial revision of the VAT Ordinance.
Federal Council rejects JUSO popular initiative
At its meeting on May 15, 2024, the Federal Council defined its position on the popular initiative "For a social climate policy - fairly financed through taxation". It is of the opinion that the initiative is not a suitable means of achieving Switzerland's climate targets. In particular, it reduces the attractiveness of Switzerland for wealthy individuals. The Federal Council intends to recommend that Parliament reject the initiative without a direct counter-proposal or indirect counter-proposal.
FTA publishes new refund and default interest rates for federal taxes from 2025
On September 19, 2024, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the new refund and default interest rates for federal taxes from 2025.
Maximum pillar 3a deductions in tax year 2025
The tax deduction for tied pension provision (pillar 3a) has been adjusted for the 2025 tax year.
Federal Council rejects popular initiative "For a social climate policy - fairly financed through taxation (Initiative for a future)"
On May 15, 2024, the Federal Council defined its position on the popular initiative "For a social climate policy - fairly financed through taxation (Initiative for a future)".
Federal Council adopts dispatch on individual taxation
At its meeting on February 21, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the popular initiative "For individual taxation regardless of marital status" (tax justice initiative) and the indirect counter-proposal (Federal Act on Individual Taxation).