The tax treatment of (underpriced) non-family business succession with special consideration of Ticino practice
Does an underpriced transfer of shares to an employee always lead to income tax consequences? With this article, the authors want to stimulate discussion on a very relevant aspect of non-family business succession: the distinction between (income taxable) employee shareholdings and (possibly non-income taxable) succession arrangements. The authors take a look at the practice and case law in the canton of Ticino and other cantons as well as the possible effects of recent inheritance law reforms.
Tax aspects of family business succession
In the coming years, many small and medium-sized companies will face the challenge of arranging their succession. A transfer against payment or free of charge may be considered in order to remain in family ownership. The planning and implementation of succession is an important topic for entrepreneurs with links to numerous areas of law. This article is dedicated to the tax challenges and solution strategies in family business succession in order to support companies in strategically well thought-out and tax-optimized planning.
Far more than cryptocurrencies ...
The editorial for the focus issue "Blockchain, Crypto and NFTs". In recent years, blockchain technology has caused a stir around the world. In this context, tax law has dealt with blockchain technology primarily in connection with cryptocurrencies. However, the scope of blockchain technology goes far beyond cryptocurrencies.
Taxation of NFTs in the luxury industry - a case study
Non-fungible tokens ("NFTs" for short), i.e. unique cryptographic tokens representing physical or digital value, are currently on everyone's lips - at least since the NFT "Everydays: the First 5000 Days" was auctioned by Christie's in 2021 for USD 69.3 million. Using the NFTs of the watch brand DuBois et fils, which were issued for the first time in 2021, it will be shown how companies in the luxury sector can use NFTs both to market products and to build a close customer relationship, and which tax issues have to be taken into account.
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.
FTA publishes tax folder Tax relief for newly opened companies of legal entities
On 21 April 2022, the FTA published a new tax folder on the topic of "Tax relief for newly opened companies of legal entities".
Adjustment of the private share in the car costs in the leaflets N1/2007 and NL1/2007
On 22 March 2022, the FTA amended the information sheets N1/2007 and NL1/2007, as Art. 5a para. 2 of the Federal Ordinance on Professional Costs came into force on 01 January 2022, which now provides for a higher flat-rate travel cost deduction of 0.9% of the purchase price of the vehicle as monthly income.
Federal Council opens consultation on implementation of OECD/G20 minimum taxation
On 11 March 2022, the Federal Council decided that the OECD/G20 project on the taxation of the digital economy in Switzerland should be implemented in stages with a constitutional norm and transitional provisions. The corresponding consultation will last until 20 April 2022.
Circular No. 5a Restructuring
The new circular no. 5a on tax-neutral reorganisations was published on 1 February 2022. The following key adjustments were made in the circular:
Tax-approved interest rates 2022 for advances or loans in Swiss francs and in foreign currencies
On 27 January 2022, the FTA updated the circular on the tax-recognised interest rates in Swiss francs, and on 28 January 2022, the circular on the recognised interest rates 2022 in foreign currencies.
OECD Minimum Tax: Implementation with a Constitutional Amendment
On 13 January 2022, the Federal Council announced that it would like to implement the agreed minimum tax for certain companies with a constitutional amendment. A temporary ordinance is to ensure that this can come into force on 01 January 2024. Subsequently, the law will be enacted through the ordinary legislative process.
FTA announces imputed interest rate on security equity 2022
On 6 January 2022, the FTA announced that the imputed interest rate on the security capital pursuant to Art. 25abis para. 4 sentence 1 StHG, which corresponds to the yield on 10-year federal bonds on the last trading day of the calendar year preceding the start of the tax period, will continue to be 0% for the 2022 tax year due to the negative yield.