taxlawblog.ch Your blog on Swiss tax law

Circular No. 16 concerning "Inadmissibility of the tax deduction of bribes" and concerning "Evidence of business-related expenses in foreign-foreign transactions" were both repealed and replaced by Circular No. 50.

In a series of publications, the FTA presents statistical results on VAT, in particular on taxable and non-taxable turnover, taxable persons and tax revenues.

Due to the coronavirus measures, between 20 March 2020 and 31 December 2020, the default interest rate for all VAT receivables was 0%, including those that arose before 20 March 2020.

On 23 December 2020, Switzerland and Italy signed a new agreement on cross-border commuters, which replaces the current agreement of 1974 and now applies reciprocally.

Switzerland and Germany have adjusted the value added tax (VAT) compensation for the German municipality of Büsingen, which is part of the Swiss customs territory.

Parliament has decided to exempt ordinary companies from the tax on radio and television. This exemption will apply from 1 January 2021, provided that no referendum is held. The dispatch of invoices to simple partnerships for the 2021 levy period is therefore suspended.

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA), in collaboration with the Swiss Tax Conference (SSK) and in consultation with representatives of the business community, has made formal changes to the salary statement and pension certificate form.

On 10 December 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) posted material adjustments concerning the following publications on the Value Added Tax Act (VATA).

On 17 December 2020, the FTA updated the article "Main features of the Swiss tax system" from the Tax Information dossier.

The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF has concluded a mutual agreement with the Philippines on the recognition and provision of Philippine tax residency certificates. This agreement will enter into force on 10 December 2020.

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) is further expanding its online applications. From 1 January 2021, 12:00 noon, online billing without an account will also be possible.

The FTA has published the circular "Mutations in the Cantonal Supervision Division as of 1 January 2021".

The FTA has published the report "Development of the corporate tax burden in Switzerland from 2003 to 2020: Analysis at the municipal level".

Criminal decisions conclude criminal proceedings concerning value-added tax, withholding tax, stamp duties and international information exchange, if they are legally binding.

On 1 December 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published FATCA group requests in accordance with Article 12 paragraph 1 of the FATCA Act.

On 3 December 2020, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) extended until 31 March 2021 the consultation agreement between Switzerland and Germany on the taxation of cross-border commuters and the treatment of state benefits.

The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) reported on 3 December 2020 that the provisional understanding agreement of 13 May 2020 between Switzerland and France on the taxation of frontier workers working in the home office as a result of measures to combat COVID-19 remains in force until 31 March 2021.

The Commission for Economic Affairs and Taxes (WAK-N) has proposed further steps to abolish stamp duties. These were rejected by the Federal Council at its meeting on 18 November 2020. However, it supports the demand to abolish the emissions tax. It also wants to abolish the turnover tax on domestic bonds as part of the planned withholding tax reform.

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published a revised version of the overview of selected parliamentary business in the tax field at federal level

The FTA has published technical information on the voluntary choice of the highest tariff level RTV by banks and insurance companies.

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) updates the lists of changes in laws and ordinances relating to direct federal tax, value added tax, withholding tax and stamp duties.

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published the circular "Withholding Tax Rates 2021".

The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF reported on 12 November 2020 the conclusion of a new Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and Austria on the implementation of Article 25 paragraph 5 (arbitration).

On 11 November 2020 the Federal Council adopted the Dispatches on the Protocols of Amendment to the double taxation agreements (DTAs) with Liechtenstein, Malta and Cyprus.

The Federal Council approved the compensation payments at its meeting on 11 November 2020.