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.
The diminishing safeguard function of the withholding tax
Editorial on the focus issue "Withholding Tax" of zsis).
Withholding tax and debt capital, including the planned revision of the Withholding Tax Act
In terms of withholding tax, we focus on withholding tax on the income from equity securities. In particular, pecuniary benefits occupy us and often lead to emotionally profound experiences and contacts with withholding tax. Similarly, we constantly deal with the question of the refund of withholding tax owed, including the issue of "How can I repatriate profit reserves subject to withholding tax abroad?
Refund of withholding tax in international relations
The refund of withholding tax on dividends from Swiss companies by foreign shareholders can only be made on the basis of a double taxation agreement between Switzerland and the country of residence of the claimant. In order to claim relief from withholding tax under the applicable double taxation treaty, the residence of the claimant must be confirmed by the foreign tax authorities.
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.
Withholding tax refund despite non-declaration in the tax return - National Council vote
Anyone who has not declared income in the tax return should still receive the withholding tax back if he has been negligent. The National Council has approved this change, but wants to go considerably further than the Federal Council.
Tax template 17 is linked to AHV restructuring
Tax Bill 17 will be linked to the AHV restructuring. This was decided by the Council of States. This approach is intended to help the corporate tax reform achieve a breakthrough and relieve the burden on old-age pensions.
Tax submission 17 (12 April 2018)
The Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxes of the Council of States (WAK-S) has already unanimously agreed to tax bill 17 at its meeting on 12 April 2018. At its meeting on 15 May 2018, the WAK-S unanimously supported an overall concept with the following four central elements:
Deductibility of fines and penalties
In its decision of 26 September 2016, the Federal Supreme Court had to rule on a case concerning the tax law admissibility of a provision in connection with an EU cartel fine. The affected X. AG filed an appeal against the decision of the Cantonal Tax Office of Zurich with the Tax Appeal Court of the Canton of Zurich, which upheld the appeal. The cantonal tax office appealed unsuccessfully against this decision to the Administrative Court of the Canton of Zurich, which dismissed the appeal in its ruling of 9 July 2014 on both state and municipal taxes and direct federal taxes. The cantonal tax office then lodged an appeal with the Federal Supreme Court in matters of public law.
Current cases on intercantonal and international corporate tax law
Workshop from the ISIS) seminar on 2/3 March 2020 entitled "Corporate Tax Law 2020
Update on withholding tax
Workshop on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on 2/3 March 2020 entitled "Corporate Tax Law 2020".
