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.
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".
