Restructuring and insolvency - legal requirements under the revised stock corporation law
As part of its management and financial responsibility, the Board of Directors is obliged to monitor the financial situation of its company. If a company gets into financial difficulties, it must take measures to avert insolvency or at least prevent the damage from increasing. The revised Stock Corporation Act, which came into force on January 1, 2023, imposes specific duties on the board of directors in the event of imminent insolvency, half capital loss and over-indebtedness. This article deals with the legal requirements and shows to what extent the revision has brought changes to these restructuring-related provisions and what new questions arise in practice.
The definition of turnover according to the Minimum Tax Ordinance
According to the Minimum Tax Ordinance (MindStV), business units belonging to Switzerland are subject to Swiss supplementary tax if they belong to a group of companies with a turnover of at least EUR 750 million. The concept of turnover as a central prerequisite for subjective tax liability is only rudimentarily regulated in the ordinance. This article examines this concept from different perspectives with reference to various OECD/G20 documents and identifies open questions.
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.
Federal Council opens consultation on the Federal Act on the Implementation of International Tax Treaties
At its meeting on 13 December 2019, the Federal Council opened the consultation process on the Federal Act on the Implementation of International Agreements in the Tax Field (new StADG). The consultation period will last until 27 March 2020.
Federal Council proposes changes to withholding tax
At its meeting on 6 December 2019, the Federal Council opened the consultation procedure on changes to the ordinance on withholding tax. Accordingly, heirs should reclaim the withholding tax on inheritance income in their canton of residence.
Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein adapt their VAT agreement
VAT controls on Swiss taxable persons may in future also be carried out in Liechtenstein and vice versa.
BEPS Convention entered into force on 1 December 2019
The Multilateral Agreement on the Implementation of Agreement-Based Measures to Prevent the Reduction and Transfer of Profits ("BEPS Agreement") has been in force since 1 December 2019. With the help of the Convention, existing double taxation agreements can be adapted to the recommendations from the BEPS project.
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.
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".
