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.
Selected parliamentary business in the tax area at federal level (March 2020)
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a revised version of the overview of selected parliamentary business in the tax field at federal level.
FTA publishes measures and circulars due to coronavirus
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published measures due to the coronavirus on 26 March 2020, referring to the package of measures adopted by the Federal Council (see our contribution of 21 March 2020). Furthermore, on 24 March 2020 it issued a corresponding circular concerning payment relief for direct federal tax.
Federal Council approves coronavirus package of measures
At its meeting on 20 March 2020, the Federal Council approved various measures to cushion the economic consequences of the coronavirus. The tax measures are as follows:
OECD publishes report on transfer prices in financial transactions
On 11 February 2020, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) published a report containing guidelines on the transfer pricing aspects of financial transactions.
Circular letter 34 of the Swiss Tax Conference (SSK)
On 15 January 2020, the Swiss Tax Conference (SSK) published Circular Letter 34 on the "Intercantonal tax separation of companies claiming the deductions provided for in the STAF" for the additional deductions newly introduced for state and municipal taxes - but not for direct federal taxes - following the entry into force (1 January 2020) of the Federal Law on Tax Reform and OASI Financing (STAF) of 28 September 2018.
Tax-deductible interest rates 2020 for advances or loans in Swiss francs and foreign currencies
The granting of interest-free or insufficiently interest-bearing advances or loans to participants or third parties related to them constitutes a payment in kind. This shall also apply to translated interest which is paid on the basis of obligations to participants or third parties close to them.
FTA publishes Circular Letters 22a and 23a concerning the partial taxation of income from investments held as private and business assets
On 31 January 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published Circular Letters No. 22a "Partial Taxation of Income from Participations as Part of Private Assets and Restriction of Debt Interest Deduction" and No. 23a "Partial Taxation of Income from Participations as Part of Business Assets and Participations Declared as Business Assets".
