Federal Council lowers tariffs for the textile industry
At its meeting on 1 May 2019, the Federal Council approved the Ordinance on the Temporary Suspension of Customs Duties on Textile Intermediate and Intermediate Materials. It shall enter into force on 1 July 2019.
Clarification on legal information and advance tax assessments (tax rulings)
On 29 April 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published details of the Code of Conduct on the provision of legal information and rulings in the areas of value-added tax and business taxation for radio and television as well as advance tax assessments (tax rulings) for the areas of direct federal tax, withholding tax and stamp duties.
VAT: Publication of the drafts of the practice statements of the VAT Department (3 May 2019)
On 3 May 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published new initial drafts, which will be submitted to the consultative body and interested parties for practical consultation.
Federal Council opens consultation on STAF ordinances concerning equity capital interest deduction and the crediting of foreign withholding taxes
On 10 April 2019, the Federal Council sent the ordinances on the implementation of the STAF (tax reform and AHV financing) for consultation.
VAT: Publication of new or revised first drafts of the practical regulations of the VAT Department
On 11 April 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published new or revised initial drafts, which were submitted to the consultative body and interested parties for practical consultation.
Selected parliamentary business in tax matters at federal level (5 April 2019)
On 5 April 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a revised version of the overview of selected parliamentary business in the tax area at federal level.
FTA Circular on printed matter Direct federal tax, flat-rate tax credit and additional tax retention USA for 2019
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a circular on printed matters (order forms) concerning direct federal tax, the flat-rate tax credit (pStA) and the additional tax retention USA (zStR USA) for the 2019 tax period for the attention of the cantonal administrations for direct federal tax and the central withholding tax authorities of the cantons.
In its statement, FDK recommends the rejection of the parliamentary initiative to strengthen auditing and supervisory competencies in the DBG.
The Finance Commission of the National Council (FK-NR) has submitted a parliamentary initiative in which it decides to adapt the legal regulation in the DBG in such a way that the auditing and supervisory competencies in the DBG are strengthened.
Adjustment of the price lists regarding the Direct Federal Tax 2017 and 2018 (27 March 2019)
On 27 March 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published an adjustment to the price lists (ICTax) for direct federal tax and the lists of free shares for 2017 and 2018.
Parliament approves DBA with Brazil in final vote
The Parliament (Council of States and National Council) has approved the Federal Decree on the approval of a double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Brazil.
Parliament approves multilateral agreement to implement tax agreement-related measures to prevent profit reduction and profit transfer
The Parliament (Council of States and National Council) has approved the Federal Decree approving the multilateral agreement on the implementation of tax convention-related measures to prevent the reduction and transfer of profits.
Parliament approves DBA with United Kingdom in final vote
The Parliament (Council of States and National Council) has approved the Federal Decree on the approval of a Protocol amending the Double Taxation Convention between Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Article "Federal withholding tax" from the tax information dossier updated
The article "Swiss federal withholding tax" from the tax information dossier has been updated.
VAT: Publication of the drafts of the practice statements of the VAT Department (14 March 2019)
On 14 March 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published various drafts on VAT practice.
Article "Real estate tax" from the tax information dossier updated
The article "Real estate tax" from the tax information dossier has been updated.
Adjustment of the price list regarding the direct federal tax 2018 (11 March 2019)
On 11 March 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published an adjustment to the price lists (ICTax) concerning the Direct Federal Tax 2018.
Entry into force of the participation deduction for systemically important banks as of 1 January 2019
At its meeting on 8 March 2019, the Federal Council decided that the Federal Act on the Calculation of Participation Deductions for Systemically Important Banks (see also our contribution of 22 September 2018) would come into force retroactively to 1 January 2019.
SIF publishes Understanding on DTA between Switzerland and Colombia
On 5 March 2019, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) published a Memorandum of Understanding (Agreement) on the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Colombia on the Avoidance of Double Taxation in the Field of Taxes on Income and Assets of 26 October 2007 (Swiss-Colombian DTA).
Council of States approves DTA with the United Kingdom
The Council of States approved the dispatch of 22 August 2018 approving a protocol amending the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Council of States approves DTA with Brazil
The Council of States has approved the Federal Decree on the approval of a double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Brazil.
Motion "VAT for foreign tour operators" transferred to the relevant commission for preliminary examination
The motion "VAT for foreign tour operators" (18.4194) is assigned to the commission of the Council of States for preliminary consultation.
Health insurance premiums - Increase in flat-rate deductions for direct federal tax
The Lehmann motion "Making health insurance premiums tax-deductible under the KVG" (15.4027) was not accepted. However, the motion Grin (17.3171) concerning the increase of the lump sum deductions for the direct federal tax to compensate the explosion of the health insurance premiums was accepted by the Council of States.
Federal Council recommends acceptance of the tax bill and AHV financing (STAF)
In the view of the Federal Council, the bill offers a balanced solution to two pressing problems. It secures jobs and tax revenues and at the same time strengthens the AHV. The Federal Council therefore recommends that the Federal Tax Reform and OASI Financing Act (STAF, formerly SV17) be adopted.
Federal Council opens consultation on amendment of AIA legal bases
At its meeting on 27 February 2019, the Federal Council opened consultations on the revision of the Federal Act and the Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AIA). The aim is to implement recommendations of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum).
Adjustment of the price lists regarding the Direct Federal Tax 2017 and 2018 (25 February 2019)
On 25 February 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published adjustments to the price lists (ICTax) and the lists of free shares 2017 and 2018 concerning direct federal tax.
