Federal Council opens consultation on the federal law on the calculation of the participation deduction for too-big-to-fail instruments

At its meeting on 9 June 2017, the Federal Council opened the consultation process on the Federal Act on the calculation of the participation deduction for too-big-to-fail instruments (TBTF instruments).

Council of States approves the multilateral agreement on the exchange of country-specific reports and resolves differences between the two Councils

At its meeting on 6 June 2017, the Council of States approved the Federal Decree on the approval of the Multilateral Agreement between the competent authorities on the exchange of country-specific reports (ALBA Agreement) and the associated Implementation Act (ALBA Act) in the version approved by the National Council, thereby resolving the differences between the two chambers of parliament.

Switzerland signs BEPS Convention

On 7 June 2017, Switzerland signed the multilateral agreement on the implementation of tax treaty-related measures to prevent the reduction and transfer of profits (BEPS Agreement, MLI).

FTA publishes detailed overview of the partial revision of the VAT Act

On 6 June 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a detailed overview of the partial revision of the Value Added Tax Act (VAT Act).

The FDK publishes its statement on the tax consideration of childcare costs

The Conference of Cantonal Finance Directors (FDK) does not oppose an increase in the deduction for childcare costs at the level of direct federal taxes (DBG), but calls for the Tax Harmonisation Act (StHG) not to be amended.

Federal Council brings partial revision of the Value Added Tax Act into force

The Swiss Federal Council will largely put the partial revision of the Value Added Tax Act (MWSTG) into force on 1 January 2018.

The steering committee adopts its recommendations on the tax bill 17

On 1 June 2017, the steering body consisting of the Confederation and the cantons approved its recommendations for a balanced tax proposal 17 (formerly Corporate Tax Reform III) for submission to the Federal Council.

Zurich: Equal treatment of Zurich companies with regard to real estate gains tax

The Zurich Government Council has requested the Cantonal Council to allow companies in the Canton of Zurich to deduct their business losses from the municipalities' real estate gains tax in future.

National Council approves the multilateral agreement on the exchange of country-specific reports with differences to the Council of States

At its meeting on 31 May 2017, the National Council approved the Federal Decree on the approval of the Multilateral Agreement between the competent authorities on the exchange of country-specific reports (ALBA Agreement) and the associated Implementation Act (ALBA Act), with certain differences to the Council of States (First Council).

Special VAT rate for lodging services - National Council and Council of States are in favour of a temporary extension of the special rate

In its session of 31 May 2017, the National Council approves the decision of the Council of States to extend the special VAT rate of 3.8% for accommodation services for an initial period of 10 years and not, as envisaged in the underlying initiative, to anchor it permanently in the VAT Act. The proposal is now ready for the final vote.

National Council adopts a motion concerning the harmonisation of interest rates in federal tax decrees

At its meeting on 31 May 2017, the National Council, as the first Council to deal with the matter, will adopt a motion instructing the Federal Council to harmonise the interest rates in federal tax decrees in such a way that a generally applicable default and remuneration interest rate is established.

National Council rejects a motion concerning the domicile taxation of retired customs and border guard staff resident in the Principality of Liechtenstein

At its meeting on 31 May 2017, the National Council, as the first Council to deal with the matter, rejects a motion concerning the taxation of the domicile of retired customs and border guard staff resident in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Special VAT rate for accommodation services - Council of States is in favour of a temporary extension of the special rate

In its session of 30 May 2017, the Council of States advocates extending the special rate for accommodation services of 3.8% for an initial period of 10 years. He is thus voting against the motion of the National Council which wants to anchor the special rate for accommodation services permanently in the VAT Act.

Council of States adopts the new Financial Regulation 2021

On 30 May 2017, the Council of States unanimously adopted the Federal Decree on the new Financial Regulation 2021.

Zurich: Electronic tax exit reports (pilot project)

The project "Steuerliche Wegzugsmeldungen CHM-ZH" (tax exit reports CHM-ZH) is entering the practical test phase. From 1 June 2017, the Zurich pilot communities will receive productive electronic departure notifications.

Council of States is in favour of taxing winnings from money games

In its session of 29 May 2017, the Council of States (contrary to the National Council) spoke out in favour of taxing winnings from money games in excess of one million francs.

DTA between Switzerland and Kosovo signed

Switzerland and Kosovo signed a double taxation agreement (DTA) in the area of taxes on income and wealth on 26 May 2017.

Selected parliamentary business in tax matters at federal level (23 May 2017)

On 23 May 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) updated some of the selected parliamentary business in the tax field at federal level.

Ticino: Introduction of a uniform refuse collection fee

In the canton of Ticino, there will be a uniform regulation on the waste disposal fee in future.

Lucerne: Increase of the state tax rate for 2017 to 1.70 units was rejected

With 54.34% (provisional final result) on 21 March 2017, the voters in the Canton of Lucerne rejected an increase in the state tax rate for 2017 to 1.70 units.

Schaffhausen: Partial taxation of dividends will not be lifted

With a yes vote of 41.9%, a popular initiative entitled "No tax gifts for major shareholders" was rejected, which provided for the abolition of partial taxation of dividends in the canton of Schaffhausen.

Draft of the FTA for the selective specification of the VAT info 03 (group taxation)

On 16 May 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a first draft of a selective amendment to VAT Info 03 (group taxation).

Adjustments to the price lists regarding the direct federal tax 2016 (11 May 2017)

On 11 May 2017, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published various adjustments to the price lists (ICTax) concerning the Direct Federal Tax 2016.

Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt submits a proposal for a procedure for deducting taxes from salaries

The Government Council of Basel-Stadt submits to the Grand Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt a proposal for the partial revision of the Tax Act in order to introduce a procedure for the direct deduction of taxes from wages at cantonal level. The proposal is the subject of political debate.

Post-analysis of Economiesuisse for the vote on USR III

On 10 May 2017, Economiesuisse published a media release concerning the post-analysis to reject the Corporate Tax Reform III (USR III).
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