September 27, 2021

Swiss Update on Trust Regulation and Taxation

September 27, 2021/ Ruchelman P.L.L.C.

Trusts have been of great importance to advisors all over the world. Even though trusts are mostly found in common law systems, several civil law jurisdictions have implemented the concept of trusts. To date, there is no such thing as a Swiss trust or Swiss trust law. However, Switzerland recognizes the concept of a trust. In their article, Peter von Burg, a partner at Burckhardt Ltd. in Zürich, and Matthias Gartenmann, a Swiss tax lawyer based in Zürich, provide an overview of taxation of trusts in Switzerland. One interesting aspect addressed in the article relates to Swiss administrative assistance in tax matters when the targets of the inquiry are a trust and its beneficiaries.

March 20, 2020

Swiss Corporate Tax Reform: T.R.A.F. in a Nutshell

March 20, 2020/ Ruchelman P.L.L.C.

As a result of a favorable vote last year, T.R.A.F. – the tax reform in Switzerland – came into effect on January 1, 2020. T.R.A.F. was crafted to generate additional revenue for cantons, enhance old age pensions and survivors insurance funding, and reform corporate tax rules. Peter von Berg of Blum&Grob Attorneys at Law in Zurich, Switzerland, identifies the major changes for companies and individuals and provides examples of the effects on various entities.

June 27, 2017

New Proposal for Swiss Corporate Tax Reform

June 27, 2017/ Ruchelman P.L.L.C.

Through the first ten days of February, Swiss tax advisers were contemplating life after the adoption of the Corporate Tax Reform III (“C.T.R. III”). Then, the bottom dropped out from under their feet as Swiss voters defeated the tax reform package by an almost 60-40 majority. Now, a Steering Committee representing the cantons and Swiss Federation has issued T.P. 17, recommending a modified version of corporate tax reform. Peter von Burg and Dr. Natalie Peter of Staiger Attorneys, Zurich, compare the provisions in T.P. 17 with those in C.T.R. III.

February 21, 2017

Swiss Corporate Tax Reform Postponed

February 21, 2017/ Ruchelman P.L.L.C.

Through the first ten days of February, Swiss tax advisers were contemplating life after the adoption of the Corporate Tax Reform III (“C.T.R. III”). Then, the bottom dropped out from under their feet as Swiss voters defeated the tax reform package by an almost 60-40 majority. Peter von Burg and Dr. Natalie Peter of Staiger Attorneys at Law in Zurich explain the benefits that were contemplated under C.T.R. III and ponder about what will be adopted in its place. Switzerland must act promptly to cobble together a replacement package that will appease opponents of C.T.R. III and meet the deadline under its agreement with the E.U. for eliminating existing special benefits allowed to base companies. How much of C.T.R. III can be salvaged?