Switzerland plans to introduce OECD BEPS Pillar Two minimum taxation rule
On 24 May 2023, the Swiss Federal Council made an announcement outlining the introduction of the OECD Pillar 2 global minimum tax. This implementation is now awaiting a referendum vote scheduled for 18 June 2023. If this is accepted, the Federal
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Switzerland publishes safe harbor interest rates for 2023
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA) recently released Circular Letter No. 203 and Circular Letter No. 204 on 7 and 8 February 2023, respectively. These circulars provide safe harbor interest rates for intercompany loans and advances in Swiss
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Switzerland suspends tax information exchange arrangement with Russia
On 22 September 2022, the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) of Switzerland published a notification declaring the suspension of exchange of tax information with Russia. The temporary suspension applies to all types of tax information
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Switzerland: Public Consultation on Minimum Corporate Tax Rules
On 17 August 2022 Switzerland launched a consultation on an ordinance to legislate for important elements in the OECD’s global minimum corporate tax under Pillar 2 of the international tax measures. The draft legislation would introduce a Swiss
See MoreIMF Report Looks at the Economic Situation in Switzerland
On 6 April 2022 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Switzerland under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The Swiss economy recovered in 2021 following the crisis caused by the pandemic, with growth reaching 3.7% and
See MoreSwitzerland publishes safe haven interest rates for 2022
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA) has published two Circulars with safe-harbor interest rates 2022 for advances and intercompany loans in Swiss francs as well as in foreign currencies. Circular 195 of 27 January 2022 The minimum
See MoreSwitzerland: Review of international financial and tax developments in 2021
On 25 January 2022 Switzerland’s State Secretariat for International Financial Matters published its summary for 2021 entitled: Swiss financial and tax centre in 2021: more sustainable, more digital and in good shape despite the pandemic. The
See MoreSwitzerland: Implementation of OECD minimum tax rate by constitutional amendment
On 12 January 2022, the Federal Council decided to implement the minimum tax rate for certain companies agreed by the OECD and G20 member states by means of a constitutional amendment. Based on that decision, a temporary ordinance should
See MoreSwitzerland declares safe harbor interest rates
The Federal Tax Administration of Switzerland has published two separate circulars regarding safe harbor interest rate limits applicable to shareholder and related party loans in 2021. The rates may vary depend on whether the financing is in Swiss
See MoreSwitzerland: Review on international financial and tax matters of 2020
Switzerland’s Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) has published its annual review on international financial and tax matters for 2020. With respect to tax-related matters in particular, the review includes the following: Taxing
See MoreSwitzerland: Federal Council adopts dispatch on Federal Act on implementation of international tax agreements
On 4 November 2020, the Swiss Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the Federal Act on the implementation of international tax agreements. With this proposal, the Federal Council is adapting the existing law to the changes made to international
See MoreSwitzerland declares interest rates for 2021
The Federal Tax Administration of Switzerland has published Circular Letter 2-185-D-2020-f of 22 October 2020 declaring federal direct tax interest rates for the 2021 calendar year. According to the Circular letter, Federal Department of Finance
See MoreUS and Switzerland sign competent authority arrangement on implementation of arbitration
On 28 July 2020, U.S. and Switzerland signed an agreement for the implementation of the arbitration process provided for in Article 25 (Mutual Agreement Procedure) of the 1996 income tax treaty between the two countries as amended by the 2009
See MoreSwitzerland: Tax measures in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 outbreak
On 20 March 2020, the Federal Council of Switzerland has approved several tax measures to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 outbreak, as follows: Enterprises are allowed to postpone tax, VAT, certain customs duties and special consumption
See MoreSwitzerland: Federal Council adopts dispatch on amendments to DTA with Iran
On 23 October 2019, the Swiss Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the protocol of amendment to the agreement with Iran for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital (DTA). The protocol implements the minimum
See MoreSwitzerland: Federal Council adopts dispatch on protocol of amendment to DTA with Ukraine
On 9 October 2019, the Swiss Federal Council has adopted the dispatch on the approval of a protocol of amendment to the agreement between Switzerland and Ukraine for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital
See MoreSwitzerland: Federal Council proposes reform of withholding tax regime
On 27 September 2019, the Federal Council of Switzerland issued guidelines on a proposed reform of the Swiss withholding tax (WHT) and stamp tax regimes for indirect investments. The primary objective of the proposal for an exemption from
See MoreNew Zealand: DTA signs with Switzerland
On 8 August 2019, officials from New Zealand and Switzerland signed an amending protocol to update the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between them in accordance with BEPS
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