Implementation of global minimum taxation - safe harbor transitional rules for investment entities
On January 1, 2024, Switzerland partially introduced the OECD minimum tax by means of the Minimum Tax Ordinance (MindStV). The implementation of the global legal requirements poses considerable challenges for companies due to the complexity of the regulations and the technical implementation in the accounting systems. For this reason, many companies fall back on safe harbor regulations provided by the OECD. In this context, the following article examines whether these also apply to investment entities that are part of the corporate group.
The valuation of participation rights in start-up companies and the principle of equal treatment
The tax valuation of start-ups has been the subject of debate in Switzerland. While a viable solution has been found for the shareholders of start-ups with the current solution, the question of an even wealth tax burden for shareholders in a comparable situation arises. Find out what challenges arise in the valuation of participation rights and what solutions are being discussed to ensure a balanced tax policy.
"Structure follows strategy" in corporate succession - insights from the SIX Swiss Exchange Family Business Conference 2023
"Structure follows strategy" is a conclusion of the American business historian Alfred D. Chandler, which states that the strategy should be defined first and then a structure that leads to the realization of the strategy. This principle is often not sufficiently taken into account in corporate succession and the focus is prematurely placed on implementation and structuring issues. The topics discussed at this year's SIX Swiss Exchange Family Business Conference are set out below against this background.
Succession planning: tax pitfalls
When Swiss families think about the organization of their estate, they generally do not pursue any immediate tax objectives. In general, it is more a question of transferring assets to the next generation or at least initiating the future reorganization of ownership structures in the present. Of course, reducing wealth tax and breaking the tax progression, for example, can be an accompanying motive, but practice shows that this is rarely the actual "trigger". This article presents some typical questions.
Compensation paid by Swiss companies to foreign directors
This video provides information on the possible tax and social security implications of a board of directors resident in an EU country in the case of a Swiss company limited by shares if the board of directors is also self-employed in its country of residence.
Federal Council is against the widespread abolition of stamp duties
The Commission for Economic Affairs and Taxes (WAK-N) has proposed further steps to abolish stamp duties. These were rejected by the Federal Council at its meeting on 18 November 2020. However, it supports the demand to abolish the emissions tax. It also wants to abolish the turnover tax on domestic bonds as part of the planned withholding tax reform.
Adjustment SSK-KS 28: New calculation of the capitalization rate and clarification regarding start-up companies
The Swiss Tax Conference published an updated version of SSK-KS 28 on 3 November, which concerns the calculation of the capitalisation rate for determining the capitalised earnings value and a clarification of the practice for the valuation of start-up companies.
Federal Council wants to exempt too-big-to-fail instruments of banks from withholding tax by the end of 2026
At its meeting on 28 October 2020, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on the Federal Act on Withholding Tax with regard to the treatment of interest on too-big-to-fail instruments (TBTF).
FTA publishes update to circular no. 37 "Taxation of employee shareholdings
On 30 October 2020, the FTA published an update to Circular Letter No. 37 "Taxation of Employee Participation".
Canton of Zurich: New information sheet on the additional deduction for research and development expenses
On 25 September 2020, the cantonal tax office in Zurich published a new information sheet on the additional deduction for research and development expenses.
Tax policy agenda: First meeting of the "Expert Group on Switzerland as a Tax Location
On behalf of Finance Minister Ueli Maurer, a tax policy agenda is to be adopted by the end of 2020.
FTA publishes Circular Letter No. 49 "Proof of business-related expenses for foreign transactions abroad" and Circular Letter No. 50 "Inadmissibility of tax deduction of bribes paid to public officials".
On 13 July 2020, the FTA published Circular No. 49 "Evidence of business-related expenses for foreign-foreign transactions" and Circular No. 50 "Inadmissibility of the tax deduction of bribes paid to public officials". At the same time, the predecessor circulars of the same name, No. 9 of 22 June 2005 and No. 16 of 13 July 2007, are repealed.
Block chain and distributed ledger technology: No changes to tax law
At its meeting on 19 June 2020, the Federal Council took note of the report on a possible need to adapt tax law in the area of block chaining. The report comes to the conclusion that there is no need for specific legislative adjustments in tax law.
Individual questions on the patent box
Workshop by Annette Walk, Alfred Köpf and Armin Marti at the ISIS) seminar on 21 September 2021 entitled "Status change, patent box and R&D effort in practice".
Individual questions on the additional deduction for research and development expenses
Workshop by Fabian Utzinger and René Matteotti at the ISIS) seminar on 21 September 2021 entitled "Status change, patent box and R&D effort in practice".
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.