Many small businesses that are just starting out in Switzerland are unaware of the many different types of social charges and insurances that are compulsory in Switzerland when you pay a salary from a business you have registered. Here we give a brief run-down of what these are: OASI (AVS or AHV) – Old Age […]
If you run a business in Switzerland it may be advantageous for you to consider buying a car on behalf of the company. The car can then also be used for personal purposes. The private use of the vehicle is then counted as a taxable benefit to the user. Car allowance benefits are calculated at […]
Employee shareholdings (as well as stock options) is a well-known and attractive way of motivating and compensating employees, and of aligning their interests with those of other shareholders. This system has traditionally not been as widely used in Switzerland as in other countries, and a large reason for this has been some taxation traps. This […]
The advantage for a company of making provisions is that disclosed profit can then be reduced, and shareholders receive fewer dividends for distribution. This allows the company to keep money internally for its own growth. These reserves can then be used should the company come across a difficult year when this provision can be released. […]
Most businesses in Switzerland, and Europe, are subject to some form of Value Added Tax (VAT). If the issuer of the invoice is based in Switzerland then the invoice needs to contain, at a minimum: The VAT number and the name & address of the provider of the good or service A true description of […]
An overview of payroll social charges in Switzerland […]
CFO 1.0: The traditional role of the CFO has been in keeping accounting records up-to-date and on reporting what has happened. The CFO’s main responsibility was in delivering timely and accurate accounts. The Mindset is Operational and the Technology focuses on Reporting. CFO 2.0: With the advent of large amounts of data to process it […]
The Swiss Federal Government has already introduced a number of measures to assist businesses in Switzerland (a good summary is available in French from the RTS site). Some key aspects to take into consideration in different Cantons are: The suspension of interest payments for late payments of Cantonal & Communal taxes & a very softened […]
Any person who has a revenue that is subject to the payment of Swiss AVS / AHV 1st Pillar contributions is entitled to save with the 3rd Pillar, which could help to save on some taxes. For independent workers the limit is set at 20% of their net earnings, but at the most 40% of […]
Switzerland has an unusual tax arrangement which foreigners can take advantage of. The lump-sum taxation system is available in certain Cantons and allows private individuals to pay a fixed amount of tax every year based on certain criteria that are supposed to reflect how much the taxpayer is expected to spend rather than how much […]