Federal Council puts revised law and ordinance on AIA into force
At its meeting on 11 November 2020, the Federal Council approved the amendment to the Ordinance on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters (AIAV) and, together with the Federal Act (AIAG), put it into force on 1 January 2021.
Tax information dossier "Family taxation" updated
On 5 November 2020, the FTA updated the article "Family Taxation" from the tax information dossier.
EFD launches new "ePortal" online platform
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) is launching the "ePortal" online platform on 2 November 2020.
Federal Council adopts dispatch on the Federal Act on the Implementation of International Agreements in the Tax Field
On 4 November 2020, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the totally revised Federal Act of 1951 on the Implementation of Interstate Agreements of the Confederation for the Avoidance of Double Taxation (new: StADG).
FTA publishes tax statistics on natural and legal persons 2017
On 30 October 2020 the FTA published the 2017 tax statistics.
Finance Directorate of the Canton of Zurich adapts its directive on the payment of state and municipal taxes
The directive newly defines which fees and costs can be charged by the municipal tax offices in the reference procedure.
FTA publishes circular "Information sheet on withholding tax on substitute income
On 29 October 2020, the Federal Tax Administration published the circular "Instruction sheet on the withholding tax on substitute income" (2-186-D-2020-e). This leaflet has been completely revised in the course of the provisions on the revision of withholding tax that will come into force on 1 January 2021.
Federal Council wants to exempt too-big-to-fail instruments of banks from withholding tax by the end of 2026
At its meeting on 28 October 2020, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on the Federal Act on Withholding Tax with regard to the treatment of interest on too-big-to-fail instruments (TBTF).
FTA - Memorandum of Understanding between Switzerland and Liechtenstein
On 27 October 2020, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF reported the conclusion of a new memorandum of understanding between Switzerland and Liechtenstein on the effects of measures to combat COVID-19 on the treatment of cross-border commuters under the DTA.
FTA publishes update to circular no. 37 "Taxation of employee shareholdings
On 30 October 2020, the FTA published an update to Circular Letter No. 37 "Taxation of Employee Participation".
FTA - VAT: Publication of drafts of the practical definitions of the VAT Department (23 October 2020)
On 23 October 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a new first draft on the definition of practice in the consultative body.
FTA publishes circular "Interest rates in the area of direct federal tax for the 2021 calendar year / maximum pillar 3a deductions in the 2021 tax year".
On 22 October 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the circular "Interest rates in the area of direct federal tax for the calendar year 2021 / maximum pillar 3a deductions in the 2021 tax year".
FTA publishes material adjustments concerning publications on the VAT Act (20 October 2020)
On 20 October 2020, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published material adjustments concerning the following publications on the Value Added Tax Act (VAT Act).
Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer meets with Ticino government on the agreement with Italy on cross-border commuters
On 16 October 2020, Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer met with the Cantonal Government of Ticino and informed about the latest exchange with the Italian Ministry of Finance on the agreement with Italy on the taxation of cross-border commuters.
OECD public consultation on Pillar One and Pillar Two in the taxation of digital business models
On 12th October the OECD published the blueprints for Pillar One and Pillar Two and launched a public consultation until 14th December 2020. The aim is to reach an agreement between the states on the open points by mid 2021.
FTA publishes understanding agreement on DTA with Liechtenstein
On 12 October 2020, the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) published a memorandum of understanding on the DTA with Liechtenstein concerning the treatment of income of FC Vaduz players resident in Switzerland under the DTA between Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Selected parliamentary business in the tax area at federal level (October 2020)
On 29 May 2020, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a revised version of the overview of selected parliamentary business in the tax area at federal level
Interest rate for reimbursement, default and refund of direct federal tax for the calendar year 2021
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) decided on 15 October 2020 to continue not to pay interest on prematurely paid amounts of direct federal tax for the calendar year 2021. The rates for interest on arrears and interest on refunds also remain unchanged at 3%.
The FTA has updated the statistics on the capital contribution principle (September 2020)
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has updated the statistics on the capital contribution principle (capital contributions, repayments and other changes) as of 30 September 2020.
Exchange of information with 86 countries on around 3.1 million financial accounts
This year, the FTA automatically exchanged information on financial accounts with 86 countries.
FTA refunded VAT credits during the Corona pandemic quickly
During the corona pandemic, 470 applications for early payment of VAT credits have been received by the FTA so far. Applications amounting to CHF 235 million have been processed and paid out to companies within one to seven days.
FTA publishes substantive amendments concerning publications on the VAT Act
On 1 October 2020, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published material adjustments concerning the following publication on the Value Added Tax Act (VAT Act).
FTA publishes the document "Structure and record formats of withholding tax rates" valid from 2021
On 2 October 2020, the FTA adapted the document "Structure and record formats of withholding tax rates for import into payroll accounting systems (ERP systems)" due to the revision of the withholding tax on earned income.
Canton of Zurich: Amendment of the directive on the valuation of usufruct and periodic benefits for inheritance and gift tax purposes
The directive of the Finance Directorate of the Canton of Zurich on the valuation of usufruct and claims to periodic benefits for inheritance and gift tax purposes has been updated due to changes in life expectancy.
Canton of Zurich: New information sheet on the additional deduction for research and development expenses
On 25 September 2020, the cantonal tax office in Zurich published a new information sheet on the additional deduction for research and development expenses.
