Expatriate Taxation in Switzerland
Tax doesn't have to be taxing
Tax optimisation services
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Tax Optimisation
From seemingly simple tax returns, to solving double taxation issues, and navigating Swiss investment taxation, our international tax specialist partners will guide you through everything you need to optimise your taxes.
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Retirement Planning
By listening carefully, giving honest advice, and creating tailored investment plans, we help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
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Children’s Education
Through careful financial planning it is possible to give your children the best start in life - and there's no better time than now.
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Estate Planning
We can provide you guidance and advice on the most tax-efficient approaches to your estate to maximise your family’s inheritance when the time comes.
Reduce your tax burden and free up some serious savings
Tax comes in many forms and is rarely simple - but when managed correctly, it can be optimised to have as little impact on your finances as possible.
Tax optimisation plays a substantial role in financial planning - and while we may not be tax advisers or accountants, we do have a great deal of experience in helping our clients structure their assets to be more tax efficient.
Proper tax planning will help you to get the most out of your earnings - and in a legal way. We partner with a number of certified Swiss and international tax specialists that can help you with expert tax optimisation tailored for your unique circumstances.
International tax specialists
From seemingly simple tax returns, to solving double taxation issues, and navigating Swiss investment taxation, our international tax specialist partners will guide you through everything you need to optimise your taxes.
- Tax Declaration
The Swiss taxation system is unlike any other and there are a number of important tax deductions to be aware of, including:
- Work related expenses
- Contributions to Pillar 2 (occupational pension)
- Contributions to Pillar 3a (private pension)
- Contributions to Pillar 3b (Canton dependent)
- Interest on debt; mortgages, car and personal loans
- Deductions for children (under adult age or in full time education)
- Disability costs
- Insurance premiums (up to maximum limits)
- Reclaiming withholding tax on investment income
Our tax experts can help you navigate these effectively to reduce your tax burden significantly.
- Double Taxation
This is essentially where two countries tax the same asset, income or financial transaction.
A Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) between countries often mitigates dual liability, however these agreements are not set in stone, and are frequently renegotiated.
For many of our clients one of the biggest challenges is keeping up to date with these changes, understanding how it affects them personally, and setting up their assets in the most tax efficient manner.
- Investment Taxation
The most common forms of tax on investments are income tax and capital gains tax.
In Switzerland, capital gains tax only exists for immovable assets (property), however there is a 35% withholding tax on investment income such as interest and dividends. The tax can be reclaimed via an annual tax return, however it is then added to your income for the year and taxed at your appropriate rate.
We specialise in utilising financial structures to defer, or avoid completely, these investment taxes.
- Declaring/Optimising Overseas Assets
On the back of US-led initiatives (namely FATCA), tax authorities worldwide have become cooperative and organised when it comes to sharing an individual’s tax information.
The MCAA (Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement) saw 51 countries in the OECD – including Austria, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland sign an agreement to automatically exchange tax information.
In our experience, non or misreporting is largely non-criminal, and occurs unintentionally as the result of an inheritance, a family gift, or from not knowing the reporting rules.
There are a number of legal, logical ways to protect your assets and our advisors can run through the options best suited to your needs with you.
Insights
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Maximize tax savings and retirement funds in 2024 with pillar 3a and 3b contributions
- 19th January 2024
- Tax Optimisation
- 3rd Pillar Pensions
- by James Austin
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You could be better off by CHF 20-40,000 by not adding to your 2nd pillar
- 15th November 2023
- Tax Optimisation
- 2nd Pillar Pensions
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Despite challenges to the historic banking system, Switzerland remains one of the world’s leading centres for banking, investments, pensions and offshore wealth
- 18th July 2023
- Tax Optimisation
- Investment Advice
- International Banking
How much do you need to retire?
Achieve financial freedom - and retire when you want to.
We help investors in Switzerland build assets and create passive income to replace formal employment.
By listening carefully, giving honest advice, and creating tailored investment plans, we help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
How much do you need to retire? Request your free guide now and find out with our simple 2-step process.
How much do you need to retire?
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Truly professional & experienced team. Highly recommended to anyone looking for financial and wealth management advice.
Akhil Prabhu -
Good straightforward planning advice. Highly recommended.
Paul Gibson -
I was recommended IWP by a work colleague and have always been impressed. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone seeking independent financial advice.
Paul