Charitable foundations - explosive tax law issues
Legal entities that meet the respective requirements of Art. 56 lit. e, g and h of the Federal Law on Direct Federal Tax (DBG) generally benefit from a subjective tax exemption. If legal entities are subjectively tax-exempt due to the pursuit of charitable purposes, according to Art. 56 lit. g DBG, the acquisition and management of "significant capital investments in companies" are only permitted under restrictive conditions. The Federal Supreme Court recently had to assess the question under which circumstances the holding of a significant equity interest in an operating company by a charitable foundation precludes a subjective tax exemption.
Sale of own shares - a service within the meaning of the VAT Act?
In its ruling 2C_891/2020 of 5 October 2021, the Federal Supreme Court upheld the Federal Administrative Court and decided, contrary to administrative practice, that the sale of treasury shares does not constitute a supply of services within the meaning of Art. 18 para. 1 VAT Act and is therefore outside the scope of application of VAT. This article is a brief analysis of the Federal Supreme Court's decision.
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.
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.
Federal Council opens consultation on expanded loss offsetting
According to parliament, the loss offset period for companies is to be extended from seven to ten years. This is intended to enable companies affected by the Corona pandemic in particular to recover better. The Federal Council has drawn up the legal amendments for this and opened the consultation process at its meeting on June 28, 2023.
Tax-recognized interest rates 2023 for advances or loans in Swiss francs and foreign currencies
On February 7 and 8, 2023, the FTA published the Circulars on Swiss Franc and Foreign Currency Tax Recognized Interest Rates 2023.
Reporting concerning tax relief within the framework of regional policy
According to a media release, at its meeting on February 1, 2023, the Federal Council took note of a report by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) on defining the areas of application for tax relief under regional policy.
FTA announces imputed interest rate on security equity 2023
On January 4, 2023, the FTA announced that the imputed interest rate on the security equity pursuant to the first sentence of Article 25abis(4) of the Tax Act, which is equal to the yield on 10-year federal bonds on the last trading day of the calendar year preceding the beginning of the tax period, is 1.565% for the 2023 tax year.
VST: Changes from January 1, 2023 in the reporting procedure in the group relationship
According to a communication from the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) dated December 23, 2022, the scope of the reporting procedure will be expanded as of January 1, 2023.
FTA publishes circular no. 29c "Capital contribution principle
The FTA published Circular No. 29c "Capital Contribution Principle" on December 23, 2022.
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"