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.
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).
Clarification of legal information and preliminary tax assessments (tax rulings)
On 29 April 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published details of the code of conduct for the provision of legal information and rulings in the areas of value added tax and corporate tax for radio and TV as well as tax rulings for direct federal tax, withholding tax and stamp duties.
FDK publishes survey results on the implementation status of STAF in the cantons
The Conference of Cantonal Finance Directors (FDK) published the results of a survey on the updated implementation status of the Federal Law on Tax Reform and OASI Financing (SV17 / STAF) in a communication dated 10 May 2019.
Federal Council initiates consultation on STAF regulations concerning the deduction of interest on capital and foreign withholding taxes
On April 10, 2019, the Federal Council sent the ordinances for the implementation of STAF (tax reform and AHV financing) for consultation.
