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.
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Online refund application of withholding tax for persons resident in Germany
An online application of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) will be available for refund applications for Swiss withholding tax by German residents from 31 January 2020.
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration has published Circular Letter No. 29b "Capital Contribution Principle
On 23 December 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration published Circular Letter No. 29b "Capital Contribution Principle". Circular Letter No. 29b comes into force on 1 January 2020 and replaces the previous circular letters No. 29 and 29a.
Implementation of STAF: Regulations enter into force on 1 January 2020
At its meeting on 13 November 2019, the Federal Council approved three ordinances on the Federal Tax Reform and OASI Financing Act (STAF). These amendments concerning the tax part will enter into force on 1 January 2020.
WAK of the National Council for the abolition of the turnover tax and the insurance tax or reform of the withholding tax
In its media release of 5 November 2019, the National Council's WAK provided information on the parliamentary initiative on turnover tax and insurance tax, on the reform of withholding tax and on the neutrality of legal forms in corporate taxation.
Zurich shows more flexibility for start-ups
On 5 November 2019, the Finance Directorate and the Economic Directorate of the Canton of Zurich published a joint press release stating that there should be no tax obstacles to an agreed change in the ownership structure of founding shareholders.
FTA publishes tax statistics 2016
On 1 November 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the tax statistics of natural and legal persons for 2016.
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Asset deal versus share deal for corporations
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 23 November 2017.
