Switzerland – Committee rejects IHT and VAT changes
A Swiss government committed has rejected an inheritance tax proposal from the Socialist Party and has also rejected a suggestion to introduce a consumption tax on energy in place of the VAT. The inheritance tax suggested by the Socialists would
See MoreSwitzerland – Bankers demand Investment Law Revision
The new Financial Market Infrastructure Act (FMIA) is being supported by the Association of Swiss Private Banks but the latter organization is also concerned that the legislation should not damage the competitive nature of the financial sector in
See MoreSwitzerland – Upper House passes China FTA
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Switzerland and China has been adopted by the Swiss Council of States. The agreement contains provisions in respect of trade in goods and services, competition, investment promotion, intellectual property
See MoreSwitzerland – new agreements for the exchange of tax information
Switzerland signed tax information exchange agreements with Greenland and Andorra in March 2014. These accords provide for the exchange of information on request in respect of tax investigations. The conclusion of information exchange agreements is
See MoreSwitzerland signs new DTA with Argentina
Switzerland and Argentina have signed a new double taxation agreement (DTA). When it enters into force this agreement will replace the provisional agreement signed in 1997. The agreement contains provisions relating to the exchange of information
See MoreSwitzerland Plans Stricter Rules for Biofuel Tax Breaks
The Swiss Council of States has given its approval to a bill strengthening the provisions on the eligibility of enterprises for biofuel tax breaks. Biofuels may be partly or wholly exempt from mineral oil tax provided that they conform to certain
See MoreSwitzerland Adopts Anti-Tax Evasion Bill
The Swiss Council of States has approved a Bill in respect of the revised recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Bill raises the qualifying threshold for serious tax offences and therefore helps the fight against tax evasion.
See MoreSwiss Parliament rejects French IHT agreement
The Swiss Council of States has not accepted the text of a revised inheritance tax (IHT) agreement with France and has instead suggested that it should be renegotiated. Switzerland had asked for a renegotiation after France had communicated its
See MoreSwitzerland – Peru DTA
The double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Peru which was originally signed on 12 September 2012 entered into force on March 10, 2014. The agreement raises the standard of tax information exchange between the two countries to the
See MoreSwitzerland – Kazakhstan DTA Protocol
On March 25, 2014 Switzerland confirmed that the protocol to the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Kazakhstan has entered into force. The protocol amends the DTA to provide for the exchange of tax information between the countries. The exchange
See MoreSwiss Parliament Passes Media Tax
Switzerland has introduced a new media tax which replaces the license fee previously charged in respect of radio and television. This is charged on large companies and households whose annual income or turnover exceeds EUR 500,000. The introduction
See MoreUS: DTA Protocols between the United States and various countries
The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held talks on February 26, 2014, on the double taxation agreement (DTA) Protocols between the United States and Switzerland and Luxembourg, and DTAs with Hungary and Chile, as part of the nation's
See MoreSwitzerland urged to approve IHT agreement with France
The French Finance Minister has informed Switzerland that France will not renegotiate the revised inheritance tax (IHT) agreement the two countries have drafted if it is rejected by Swiss lawmakers. The revised Franco-Swiss IHT accord was signed in
See MoreSwitzerland – trade association warn against Fuel Surtax Hike
Swiss trade association has warned the Swiss Government against a rise in the mineral oil surtax imposed on motor fuels. The Swiss Federal Council has previously indicated that raising the levy is one of the options available to place the financing
See MoreSwitzerland: Revised guidance on taxation of principal companies
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA) has provided the cantonal tax authorities with revised guidance on how to apply rules that affect the taxation of principal companies, which will impact both existing and new principal company rulings. The
See MoreSwitzerland – Committee rejects Flat Tax Initiative
The Swiss Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxes of the National Council (CEAT-N) has recommended that the popular initiative calling for an end to the flat tax regime currently benefiting wealthy foreigners in the Confederation be rejected. The
See MoreSwitzerland Considers New Cross-Border Tax Deal with Italy
Swiss Finance Minister has pledged to re-negotiate the bilateral cross-border tax agreements with Italy, to ensure that the provisions are more favorable to the Swiss canton of Ticino in future. The agreement is important because of the number of
See MoreJersey ratifies TIEA with Switzerland
On 11 December 2013, Jersey ratified the Jersey - Switzerland Tax information Exchange Agreement (TIEA). Jersey signed the TIEA with Switzerland on September 16, 2013. This is Jersey's 32nd TIEA meeting the OECD tax standards on transparency and
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