How mobile working is changing tax and social security law
The home office has long since become a normal form of work. It enables greater flexibility and thus a better life-work balance, which is why many employees no longer want to do without it. In addition, the home office can also be advantageous for companies: In particular, office space can be reduced, thereby saving on rental costs and energy costs, and employee motivation can be kept high.
Home Office Activity and the Establishment of a Permanent Establishment for Tax Purposes - a Stocktaking
The world of work has changed drastically in the wake of COVID-19. We are talking about the era of "New Work". Many employees now regularly work in a home office at their place of residence in Switzerland, but also at locations worldwide. This article focuses on the question of whether an employee's home office can become a permanent establishment of the company for tax purposes and which aspects need to be considered. Swiss tax law practice has recently been partly controversial and unclear in this regard.
The place of actual administration in intercantonal relations - an assessment of recent case law.
The place of actual administration is becoming increasingly important in intercantonal relations. If a legal entity moves its statutory seat to another canton, the canton of departure examines the substance available in the canton of arrival. The relevant external objective criteria are office premises, staff and fixed network connection. The business activity, and thus the subjective content of the management as such, are given too little consideration. This problem is to be demonstrated once again on the basis of three recent court decisions.
Combating the misuse of letterbox companies
On 22 December 2021, the European Commission published a draft directive to combat the abusive use of letterbox companies within the EU. The directive, which is to be classified under ATAD III, imposes reporting obligations on letterbox companies and leads to the loss of tax benefits if certain substance criteria are not met.
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.