Transfer of the registered office to Switzerland - A case for the old reserve practice?
The problem of old reserves has become an integral part of daily tax consulting practice in Switzerland. The corresponding problem will be examined in this article on the basis of a transfer of the registered office of a foreign company to Switzerland. Here, too, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) initially assumed that the "old reserves" brought into Switzerland were subject to Swiss abuse practice without restriction.
Procedural law: The withholding tax as a self-declaration tax
The withholding tax is a self-declaration tax: The taxpayer is responsible for declaring the withholding tax and fulfilling his tax liability. In contrast to the mixed assessment procedure, the procedure is not characterised by the cooperation of tax authorities and taxpayers. The responsibility for the payment of the withholding tax, including the determination of the assessment basis, lies solely with the taxpayer.
Place of actual administration in the age of digitalisation & home office
Since the concept of the place of actual administration was incorporated into the law in 1951, digitisation has progressed in great strides. The author explores the question of the extent to which, in the age of home offices and video conferencing via the internet, criteria such as office space, lack of staff, lack of telephone accessibility and address redirection are still contemporary and whether the place of actual administration can still be determined geographically at all in the face of increasing mobility.
STAF transitional rules from an international perspective
Developments in international tax law have increased rapidly in recent years. The BEPS project to combat base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), initiated by the OECD and the G20 countries, was the main trigger for this unprecedented dynamic. With a comprehensive package of measures consisting of 15 action points, the aim is to take international action against harmful tax competition and aggressive tax structuring and thus prevent undesirable profit reduction and profit shifting.
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.
Bundesrat approves further key points of the withholding tax reform
At its meeting on 27 September 2019, the Federal Council approved further key points for the reform of the withholding tax. The consultation is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2020.
Tax information on STAF published
The Documentation and Tax Information team, in collaboration with the Tax Policy Department, has prepared an article entitled "Federal Law on Tax Reform and OASI Financing" (STAF) for the Tax Information dossier.
Acceptance of tax submission 17 in the canton of Zurich
After the "Federal Law on Tax Reform and OASI Financing" (STAF) was approved at federal level by the people and the cantons with around 66%, the cantonal bill was also accepted with a yes vote of around 56%.
FTA publishes working paper on cryptocurrencies and ICOs/ITOs
The emergence and spread of crypto-currencies have raised various questions about the tax treatment of these book-entry securities. The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a working paper outlining the practice developed to date (status end of May 2019).
Bundesrat approves key points of a reform of the withholding tax
On 26 June 2019, the Federal Council decided to resume the suspended reform of the withholding tax. To this end, it approved the objectives and the key parameters.
STAF enters into force on 1 January 2020
According to a press release dated 14 June 2019, the Federal Law on Tax Reform and OASI Financing (STAF) will come fully into force on 1 January 2020.
STAF - Abolition of the federal practices for principal companies and Swiss Finance Branches
As part of the implementation of the STAF, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) will no longer apply the federal practices for principal companies and Swiss Finance Branches from 1 January 2020.
Adoption of the tax reform and AHV financing (STAF) (referendum of 19 May 2019)
After the Corporate Tax Reform III (USR III) was rejected in February 2017, Swiss voters voted on the tax reform and AHV financing (STAF). The proposal was accepted by the people and cantons with around 66% (cf. preliminary official final results).
ISIS) seminar folder "Corporate Tax Law (2025)"
All documents from the ISIS) seminar "Corporate Tax Law 2025" from June 02 + 03, 2025 under the direction of Peter Mäusli-Allenspach in one PDF document. Case studies, detailed solution notes and slides: Here you will find all documents of the individual workshops according to the following content description.
Transfer pricing documentation - International and Switzerland (2025)
Workshop by Ivo Manatschal, Simona Studer and Thomas Hug on the occasion of the ISIS) seminar on June 02 + 03, 2025 with the title "Transfer pricing documentation - International and Switzerland"
