zsis) - Center for Swiss and International Tax Law

Federal Council repeals the transitional provision in the Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters

At its meeting on 7 November 2018, the Federal Council decided to repeal the transitional provision on the term "participating states" in the Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters as of 1 January 2019. This will implement an international requirement.

Reform of the withholding tax

The Economic Commission of the National Council discussed further work on the parliamentary initiative 17,494 after the sister commission of the Council of States had approved its decision to follow this initiative (cf. WAK-S press release of 20 August 2018). In this context, she discussed in particular with the head of the responsible department the Federal Council's plans for reforming the withholding tax and changing from the debtor to the paying agent principle. Subject to the approval of the Office of the National Council, the commission decided by 16 votes to 8 to set up a sub-commission and to instruct it to prepare a preliminary draft for the implementation of the parliamentary initiative. The subcommittee should coordinate its work with that of the Federal Council.

Adaptation of the circular on the implementation of the tax differentials for municipal taxes

The district letter of the cantonal tax office to the municipal tax offices on the implementation of the tax deductions for municipal taxes has been adapted to the immigration principle and the current responsibilities.

Parliament does not want to save hydropower with "dirty electricity tax

Parliament does not want to introduce a tax on "dirty electricity". Following the National Council, on 26 September the Council of States also rejected a professional initiative by the Canton of Geneva. This proposes to use the yield for hydropower and other renewable energies. That settles the matter.

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.

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:

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.

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".