"Structure follows strategy" in corporate succession - insights from the SIX Swiss Exchange Family Business Conference 2023
"Structure follows strategy" is a conclusion of the American business historian Alfred D. Chandler, which states that the strategy should be defined first and then a structure that leads to the realization of the strategy. This principle is often not sufficiently taken into account in corporate succession and the focus is prematurely placed on implementation and structuring issues. The topics discussed at this year's SIX Swiss Exchange Family Business Conference are set out below against this background.
Succession planning: tax pitfalls
When Swiss families think about the organization of their estate, they generally do not pursue any immediate tax objectives. In general, it is more a question of transferring assets to the next generation or at least initiating the future reorganization of ownership structures in the present. Of course, reducing wealth tax and breaking the tax progression, for example, can be an accompanying motive, but practice shows that this is rarely the actual "trigger". This article presents some typical questions.
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.
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.
News on the taxation of corporate restructuring (2025)
Workshop by Stefan Oesterhelt and Daniel Strahm on the occasion of the ISIS seminar on 2 and 3 June 2025 entitled "Current issues regarding the taxation of corporate restructurings"
Update on withholding tax and stamp duties (2025)
Workshop by Thomas Jaussi and Markus Küpfer on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on June 02 + 03, 2025 entitled "Update on withholding tax and stamp duties"
