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At its meeting on October 25, 2017, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on a double taxation agreement (DTA) with Pakistan in the area of taxes on income.

At its meeting on 18 October 2017, the Federal Council decided to bring the Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Country-Based Reports by Multinational Corporations (ALBAAG) into force on 1 December 2017 (see also our contribution of 1 October 2017 regarding ALBAV). The entry into force of the multilateral agreement of the competent authorities on the exchange of country-specific reports of 27 January 2016 (ALBA agreement) is also scheduled for December.

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published the lists of changes to laws and ordinances from 2017 onwards in the areas of direct federal tax, value added tax, withholding tax and stamp duties.

At its meeting on 18 October 2017, the Federal Council set the level and date for the entry into force of the radio and television fee.

At its meeting on 18 October 2017, the Federal Council adopted the partially revised VAT Ordinance. With the exception of the mail order business, the partially revised VAT Act and the partially revised VAT Ordinance will therefore enter into force together on 1 January 2018.

On 13 October 2017, the Federal Council sent the agreements on the introduction of automatic information exchange on financial accounts (AIA) with Hong Kong and Singapore for consultation. Switzerland signed the agreement with Hong Kong on the same day, the agreement with Singapore was signed on 17 July 2017 and the consultation period will last until 27 January 2018.

On October 10, 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published various adjustments to the exchange rate lists (ICTax) relating to direct federal tax.

On 3 October 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the updated Circular Letter No. 15 (Bonds and derivative financial instruments as subject to direct federal tax, withholding tax and stamp duties).

On 5 October 2017, at the invitation of the Directorates of Finance and Economics and the Directorate of Justice and Home Affairs of the Canton of Zurich, a roundtable discussion was held with representatives of large companies and various municipalities on Tax Bill 17. The draft for federal tax bill 17 is still in the consultation process until 6 December 2017.

On October 2, 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a circular regarding interest rates in the area of direct federal tax for the 2018 calendar year and maximum pillar 3a deductions in the 2018 tax year.

From 1 January 2018, VAT invoicing using the flat-rate method must take into account the tax rates adjusted by the FTA and the changes made to the list of sectors and activities to which the flat-rate method is applied.

The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has decided that for the calendar year 2018 it will continue not to pay any refund interest on amounts of direct federal tax paid early. The default and refund interest rate remains unchanged.

On 27 September 2017, the National Council discussed the introduction of the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts with 41 partner states from 2018/2019.

In the final vote on 29 September 2017, the Council of States and the National Council adopted the amendment to the Federal Law on Stamp Duties, which provides that Italian fiduciary companies that serve as tax security (Fiduciarie statiche) are to be exempted from the turnover tax.

The Council of States and the National Council have settled their differences regarding the Money Laundering Act and approved the Act in the final vote on 29 September 2017.

The 2020 pension reform and the associated federal decision on additional financing of the AHV/AVS through an increase in value added tax were rejected in the referendum of 24 September 2017.

The Council of States, as the second-tier council, is not following the Basel-Landschaft initiative "Simplification of the tax system in direct taxation".

At its meeting on 19 September 2017, the Council of States discussed the interpellation "Tax penalty for saving and investing".

On 19 September 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the second drafts on VAT practice.

With the motion "Stop the customs and tax-free zone around Switzerland!" submitted on June 13, 2017, the author of the motion instructs the Federal Council (Department of Finance) to close the current revenue gaps in cross-border shopping traffic with regard to VAT.

In its session of 18 September 2017, the Council of States discussed the differences concerning the Money Gaming Act and maintains that profits from certain money games should be taxed from CHF 1 million upwards.

The Council of States, as the first Council to deal with the matter, has adopted a motion to delete the obligation to sign the tax return.

At its meeting on September 19, 2017, the Council of States discussed the interpellation "Corporate Tax Reform Zero".

On 15 September 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published its position in connection with the effects of the AIA on (unpunished) voluntary declarations.

In view of the large number of speakers, the National Council is postponing its deliberations on the popular initiative concerning the abolition of the Billag fees until 25 September 2017 and will then complete its deliberations on the popular initiative in an open-ended session.