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.
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.
Adjustment of the price list regarding the Direct Federal Tax 2018 (11 February 2019)
On 11 February 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published an adjustment to the price list (ICTax) for the Direct Federal Tax 2018.
Referendum against the tax bill and AHV financing (STAF) successfully passed: Vote on 19 May 2019
The referendum against the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (STAF, formerly SV17) has been formally held. The STAF will therefore be put to the vote on 19 May 2019.
Statistics on the capital contribution principle published
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published the capital contributions, repayments and other changes in connection with the capital contribution principle.
Circular "List of providers of recognised pension products of tied pension provision (pillar 3a)
On 8 February 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the circular "List of Pillar 3b endowment insurance policies eligible for surrender".
Technical information "Withholding tax according to DBA" has been updated
The State Secretariat for International Financial Matters (SIF) has updated the overviews on the contractual limitations of foreign taxes, on the tax relief for Swiss dividends and interest and on the countries whose agreements contain abuse provisions.
Tax-deductible interest rates 2019 for advances or loans in Swiss francs and foreign currencies
On 31 January 2019 and 1 February 2019, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the tax-recognised interest rates for advances or loans in Swiss francs and foreign currencies for the year 2019.
FTA updates the publication "Tax burden in an international comparison".
On 25 January 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) updated the publication "Tax burden in an international comparison" and launched the 2018 version.
Overview of amendments to laws and ordinances in tax law with entry into force 2020 - 2022
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has updated the list of amendments to laws and ordinances in tax law with effect from 2020.
ESTV publishes circular "Merkblätter und DBA-Übersichten für die Quellensteuer" ("Information sheets and DBA overviews for withholding tax")
On 18 January 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a circular entitled "Merkblätter und DBA-Übersichten für die Quellensteuer" ("Information sheets and DTA overviews for withholding tax").
ESTV corrects withholding tax rates 2019
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has made various adjustments to the withholding tax rates for 2019.
Selected parliamentary business in tax matters at federal level (11 January 2019)
On 11 January 2019, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published a revised version of the overview of selected parliamentary business in the tax area at federal level.
Tax submission and AHV financing (STAF): vote on 19 May 2019
On 16 January 2019, the Federal Council decided to put the tax proposal and AHV financing (STAF, formerly SV17) to a vote on 19 May 2019, provided that the referendum was successful.
Tax Information Agreement (SIA) with Brazil entered into force
The Tax Information Agreement between Switzerland and Brazil entered into force on 4 January 2019 and is applicable from 1 January 2020.
Media release of the Zurich Finance Directorate regarding voluntary announcements in 2018
On 4 January 2019, the Finance Directorate of the Canton of Zurich published a media release in which the number of entries, the number of closed cases or cases still to be processed, the after-taxes incurred, the declared assets and the average yield per case of voluntary declarations closed in 2018 are published.
FTA publishes tax folder for 2018
On 28 December 2018, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) launched the 2018 Tax Folder.
Publication of the withholding tax rates for pension benefits from 2019
On 13 December 2018, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the withholding tax rates for pension benefits from 2019 onwards and other publications in the area of withholding tax.
Adjustment of the price list regarding the Direct Federal Tax 2018 (15 December 2018)
On 15 December 2018, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published an adjustment to the list of prices (ICTax) regarding the Federal Direct Tax 2018.
FTA publishes the first withholding tax rates in 2019
The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published the first withholding tax rates for 2019.
Tax burden in cantons and municipalities
The Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has published a press release on the Tax Utilization Index 2019, which compares the tax burden in the cantons and municipalities.
Adjustments to the price lists relating to direct federal tax and the lists of bonus shares 2016, 2017 and 2018 (6 November 2018)
On 6 November 2018, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published various adjustments to the share price lists (ICTax) regarding direct federal tax.
Tax statistics of natural and legal persons 2015
On 5 November 2018, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) published the statistics on direct federal tax and wealth for the year 2015.
Marriage penalty: Federal Council publishes final report "External review of the estimation methods and statistical material of the FTA".
Estimates of the number of persons affected by the marriage penalty remain subject to uncertainty due to the insufficient statistical basis for direct federal tax. An external expert recommends a broader database for the Federal Tax Administration (FTA). On 7 November 2018, the Federal Council provided information on the results of the expert report.
