Online refund application of withholding tax for persons resident in Germany
An online application of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) will be available for refund applications for Swiss withholding tax by German residents from 31 January 2020.
Press release of the Zurich Financial Directorate regarding voluntary disclosures in 2019
On 8 January 2020, the Finance Directorate of the Canton of Zurich published a media release in which the number of submissions, the number of cases settled, the additional taxes incurred and the average yield per case of the voluntary declarations settled in 2019 are published.
Selected parliamentary business in tax matters at federal level (as of January 2020)
On 10 January 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a revised version of the overview of selected parliamentary business in the tax area at federal level.
FTA provides information on current topics from October to December 2019
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published an overview of current topics from October to December 2019.
Update of the exchange lists for direct federal tax 2017, 2018 and 2019 (notification of 30 December 2019)
On December 30, 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published updates to the share price lists (ICTax) regarding direct federal tax and the lists of bonus shares for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
FTA publishes tax folders for 2019
On 30 December 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the 2019 tax folders.
FTA publishes tax folder for 2020
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) posted the tax folders for the 2020 tax period on December 28, 2020.
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration has published Circular Letter No. 29b "Capital Contribution Principle
On 23 December 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration published Circular Letter No. 29b "Capital Contribution Principle". Circular Letter No. 29b comes into force on 1 January 2020 and replaces the previous circular letters No. 29 and 29a.
Publication of the draft practice definitions of the VAT Department (December 19, 2019)
On December 19, 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the first drafts of the practice definition.
Switzerland and Italy reach agreement on Campione d'Italia
At its meeting on 20 December 2019, the Federal Council approved the exchange of notes between Switzerland and Italy on the change in the customs status of the Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia.
Federal Council opens consultation on the Federal Act on the Implementation of International Tax Agreements
At its meeting on December 13, 2019, the Federal Council opened the consultation on the Federal Act on the Implementation of International Tax Agreements (new StADG). The consultation will last until March 27, 2020.
FTA publishes circular 48 "Forfeiture of the right of natural persons to a refund of withholding tax pursuant to Article 23 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act".
On 4 December 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published Circular 48 on the forfeiture of withholding tax refund claims of individuals.
FTA publishes material adjustments regarding publications on the VAT Act (4 December 2019)
On December 4, 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published material amendments to the publications relating to the Value Added Tax Act (VATA).
Federal Council proposes changes to withholding tax
At its meeting on 6 December 2019, the Federal Council opened the consultation procedure on amendments to the Ordinance on Withholding Tax. Accordingly, heirs should reclaim the withholding tax on inheritance income in their canton of residence.
Update of the exchange lists for direct federal tax 2017, 2018 and 2019 (2 December 2019)
On 2 December 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published various updates to the share price lists (ICTax) relating to direct federal tax and the lists of bonus shares for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Switzerland and Principality of Liechtenstein adjust VAT agreement
VAT controls on Swiss taxpayers may in future also be carried out in Liechtenstein and vice versa.
BEPS Agreement entered into force on 1 December 2019
The Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting ("BEPS Convention") has been in force since December 1, 2019. With the help of the convention, existing double taxation agreements can be adapted to the recommendations from the BEPS project.
Basel-Landschaft adopts tax proposal 17
On November 24, 2019, the Basel-Stadt electorate approved tax proposal 17.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the reimbursement of unlawfully levied VAT on Billag fees
At its meeting on November 27, 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch for a new federal law on the lump-sum reimbursement of unlawfully levied VAT on radio and television reception fees.
FTA updates dossier "Principles of value added tax"
The Documentation and Tax Information team has updated the "Principles of VAT" dossier in collaboration with the Tax Policy and VAT departments. This explains how VAT works and how it is levied.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendment of AIA Act
At its meeting on 20 November 2019, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the amendment of the Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AIAG).
Implementation of the STAF: ordinances enter into force on January 1, 2020
At its meeting on November 13, 2019, the Federal Council approved three ordinances to the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (TRAF). These amendments relating to the tax section will enter into force on January 1, 2020.
Popular initiative for a "micro-tax" launched
On 15 November 2019, initiators around Prof. Dr. Marc Chesney and former Federal Council spokesman Oswald Sigg announced to the media that a collection of signatures for a popular initiative for a "micro-tax" would start in January 2020.
WAK of the Council of States advocates a change to the imputed rental value system
After the WAK of the Council of States issued instructions to the administration at its August meeting to discuss various issues in greater depth, it has now taken up the discussion of the change to the system of imputed rental value (see also our article from August 25, 2018) and, according to a press release from November 15, 2019, has agreed to it by 10 votes to 3.
WAK of the National Council for abolition of turnover tax and insurance levy or reform of withholding tax
In its media release of 5 November 2019, the WAK informed the National Council about the parliamentary initiative on turnover and insurance levies, on the reform of withholding tax and on legal form neutrality in company taxation.
