Implementation of the Federal Law on Tax Reform and OASI Financing (STAF) in the Canton of Berne
Based on the Corporate Tax Reform Act III (USR III) passed by the Federal Parliament on 17 June 2016, the Berne Cantonal Government Council expressed its views on the content of USR III at the end of November 2016, as well as the possible effects on the Canton of Berne and the preliminary positioning of the Canton of Berne in intercantonal tax competition. In the interests of Berne as a business location, the Government Council intended to cushion the abolition of cantonal tax privileges and the associated transition to ordinary taxation with replacement measures as part of the revision of the tax law in 2019. It was planned to reduce the maximum tax burden on profits from 21.64% in two steps; namely to 20.20% in 2019 and then to 18.71% in 2020. Further reductions in the profit tax rate should then have taken place with the 2021 tax law revision. In addition, the 2019 tax law revision also provided for the reduction of the applicable capital tax rate.
Amendment to the tax laws of the Cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft - Tax Template 17 (SV17)
Prior to the revision of the cantonal tax law, the canton of Basel-Stadt was one of the cantons with the highest ordinary income tax rate, with an effective ordinary income tax burden of a maximum of 22.18%. Significantly lower tax rates, namely between 7.8% and around 11%, were applied to status companies. Despite this low tax rate, the share of the status companies in the canton's tax revenue from taxes on profits and capital amounted to 60%. When implementing the tax reform and AHV financing (STAF), the challenge for Basel-Stadt was therefore to reduce the ordinary profit tax rate to such an extent that the status companies do not migrate, but at the same time sufficient tax revenue can be generated. In addition, it was assumed - probably rightly so - that it was crucial to create legal certainty for the companies concerned as soon as possible, which is why the new tax rate was communicated very early on and the reduced tax rate came into force on 1 January 2019.
Mise en œuvre de la réforme de la fiscalité des entreprises en Romandie
This publication focuses on the implementation of the reform of corporate taxation (RFFA) on 1 January 2020 in the French cantons (i.e. Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud) with regard to non-captive companies. The particularities relating to companies with share capital (apport de capital) as well as to independent companies are not dealt with in this way; those relating to the shareholder are, on the other hand, dealt with in greater detail. Cette publication se base sur les informations disponibles au 31 juillet 2020. Il est précisé qu'entre la date de remise du manuscrit et sa publication, le canton du Valais a annoncé que le référendum déposé contre le projet de loi n'avait pas abouti. La loi fiscale valaisanne est ainsi également entrée en vigueur rétroactivement au 1er janvier 2020.
The principle of investigation as a challenge to fully automated procedures
Since 1 January 2017, Germany has had the option of taxing without any human intervention, i.e. fully automatically. This is contrasted with the legislative project to introduce the possibility of fully automated assessment of customs duties, certain commercial transport taxes and the performance-related heavy vehicle tax in Switzerland. The article examines the possibilities and limits of full automation in largely standardized procedures.
National Council maintains mandate for tax deductions
The National Council insists that the Federal Council implement an adopted motion on the taxation of foreigners. On 27 September 2018 he refused to write them off.
Calculation of the participation deduction for too-big-to-fail instruments
On 20 September 2018, the National Council discussed the dispatch on the Federal Act of 14 February 2018 on the calculation of the participation deduction for too-big-to-fail instruments and approved the Federal Council's draft.
Stop the tax penalty in pillar 3b. Tax the income share instead of the capital contribution in the case of a capital withdrawal
On 10 September 2018, the Council of States adopted the motion "Stop the tax penalty in pillar 3b. In the case of a capital withdrawal, tax the share of income instead of the capital contribution" with the following amendment: "The Federal Council is instructed to submit to parliament an amendment to the Federal Tax Act (DBG) and the Tax Harmonisation Act (StHG) in order to achieve a flexibilisation of the flat-rate share of income on all benefits (periodic benefits, surrender, refund) from life annuities and life insurance policies, adapted to the respective investment conditions.
Parliament revises revised withholding tax law
With the revised Withholding Tax Act, claims should be able to be asserted retroactively only for proceedings that have not yet been legally concluded. On Thursday the National Council resolved this last difference with the Council of States.
Harmonisation of interest rates for federal tax exemptions
On 10 September 2018, the Council of States adopted the motion "Harmonisation of interest rates in federal tax decrees" with the following amendment: "The Federal Council is instructed to harmonise interest rates in federal tax decrees in such a way that a generally applicable default and refund interest rate is established".
Referendum as final hurdle for tax bill
The AHV tax deal stands. The Council of States has resolved the last differences. Tax bill 17 is thus ready for the final vote at the end of the autumn session.
Tax bill 17 - Councils agree
The councils are in agreement on tax bill 17, and the last differences regarding the municipal article and the capital contribution principle have been resolved. An overview of the most important key points regarding tax submission 17:
Tax bill 17 - the WAK-N on course for the Council of States
The Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxes of the National Council (WAK-N) has begun detailed consultations on tax bill 17 (18,031) and has taken decisions on a number of key issues. So far, it has followed the Council of States in all points, including social compensation via the AHV and dividend taxation. The detailed discussion will be concluded at the meeting on 3 September.