Automatic exchange of information and (unpunished) voluntary declarations
Since 1 January 2010, taxpayers in Switzerland have been able to go unpunished when they report tax evasion for the first time. Since then, tax transparency has increased internationally. Switzerland is pursuing the approach of implementing the international minimum standards. This now also includes the automatic exchange of information. On the way to a transparent taxpayer, the question arises as to whether the possibility still exists or should exist for taxpayers to disclose previously untaxed assets without having to expect a fine.
"Mother-daughter" arrangement between Italy and Switzerland
Opinion No. 537 of 6 August 2021 of the Italian tax authorities, described in this article, is a further sign of the "normalisation" of income tax relations between Italy and Switzerland.
Implementation of the tax reform and AHV financing (STAF) in the canton of Solothurn and first practical experiences
With the adoption of the STAF by the Swiss electorate on 19 May 2019, the cantonal tax privileges were abolished in all cantons as of 1 January 2020 and replaced by instruments that are internationally accepted. While the Solothurn electorate approved the STAF at federal level with 58.6% of the vote, it simultaneously rejected the first cantonal proposal to implement the STAF, which would have provided for a significant reduction in the profit tax rate, with 51.4% of the vote. In the second proposal, which was accepted by the electorate, it was possible to agree on a less extensive, but still substantial, reduction of the profit tax rate. For the city of Solothurn, for example, the effective profit tax rate for legal entities will be 15.29% from 2022 (previously: 21.23%). In addition to this reduction in the profit tax rate and the legislative changes prescribed by the Federal Act on the Harmonisation of Direct Taxes of the Cantons and Municipalities (StHG), individual provisions of the Tax Act were adapted to the new accounting law with the implementation of the STAF in the Canton of Solothurn and accompanying measures were adopted in the area of natural persons.
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.
National Council wants to prevent double taxation of companies
The National Council wants to do something about double taxation of companies. To this end, the cantons should be empowered to reduce the wealth tax.
Referenda against STAF proposal and arms directive
The referenda against the Federal Law on Tax Reform and OASI Financing (STAF) and against the Federal Decree on the amended EU Arms Directive (further development of the Schengen acquis) have been formally adopted.
Federal Council wants to further improve framework conditions for Blockchain/DLT
At its meeting on 7 December 2018, the Federal Council adopted a report on the legal framework for block chain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the financial sector. The report shows that the Swiss legal framework is well suited to deal with new technologies, including block chaining. Nevertheless, there is still a need for adjustment in some areas. The Federal Council also took note of the analysis of an interdepartmental working group on money laundering and terrorist financing risks of crypto assets.
Robotisation does not endanger tax revenues
Robotisation does not jeopardise tax revenues and should not be taxed specifically for the time being. This is the conclusion of the report on a prospective study, which the Federal Council approved at its meeting on 7 December 2018.
Reform of the withholding tax
The Economic Commission of the National Council discussed further work on the parliamentary initiative 17,494 after the sister commission of the Council of States had approved its decision to follow this initiative (cf. WAK-S press release of 20 August 2018). In this context, she discussed in particular with the head of the responsible department the Federal Council's plans for reforming the withholding tax and changing from the debtor to the paying agent principle. Subject to the approval of the Office of the National Council, the commission decided by 16 votes to 8 to set up a sub-commission and to instruct it to prepare a preliminary draft for the implementation of the parliamentary initiative. The subcommittee should coordinate its work with that of the Federal Council.
Federal practices for principal companies and Swiss Finance Branches from 1 January 2019
As part of the Tax Bill and OASI Financing (STAF), the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) will no longer apply the federal practices for principal companies and Swiss Finance Branches to companies seeking to take advantage of these practices for the first time beginning in 2019.
Zurich: Application for cantonal SV17 implementation submitted
The Government Council of the Canton of Zurich wants to maintain and strengthen the tax competitiveness of Zurich as a business location. To this end, it submits to the Cantonal Council a tailor-made cantonal implementation draft for the cities and municipalities that is compatible with the federal tax proposal 17 (SV17). The template is of vital importance for the entire canton. According to new model calculations, the loss of income is likely to be lower than under the Corporate Tax Reform III (USR III).
Calculation of the participation deduction for too-big-to-fail instruments
On 20 September 2018, the National Council discussed the dispatch on the Federal Act of 14 February 2018 on the calculation of the participation deduction for too-big-to-fail instruments and approved the Federal Council's draft.
Selected stumbling blocks from tax practice and outlook on the corporate tax reform (SV17 / or STAF)
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 3/4 June 2019 entitled "News on corporate tax law
Current problems of taxation of joint-stock companies and shareholders (2019)
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 3/4 June 2019 entitled "News on corporate tax law
ISIS) seminar "Current Issues in Corporate Tax Law (Repetition)" (seminar folder)
Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will receive all documents (workshops and presentations) according to the following description from the ISIS) seminar "Aktuelles zum Unternehmenssteuerrecht (Wiederholung)" from 03/04 June 2019 under the direction of Peter Mäusli-Allenspach, which took place in the Grand Resort in Bad Ragaz.