why is that? do you experience that wonderful feeling of bearing Switzerland's entire fiscal burden on your own shoulders? :D you pay ca. 20% of your taxable income (if you have one) period. And that's way less than any other country save Monaco. What's more?
swisskiss, Jun 30, 2009 @ 20:02

20% ... I am paying 30%.

Perhaps that is why some advice might be useful.

A.

FlashG, Jun 30, 2009 @ 21:25

30% altogether? your income is far over 350kCHF or your personal wealth is rather important. Lucky you! At any rate you should seek professional advice



FYI in Switzerland, taxes are levied at the federal, cantonal and municipal levels. Federal tax law is standard throughout Switzerland. However, each of the 26 cantons has separate laws for cantonal taxes. Municipal taxes are levied as a multiple of cantonal taxes.



The tax burden varies substantially from one canton to another and, within the same canton, from one municipality to another. Thus, although taxes are paid in function of the individual's income and wealth, the tax burden depends to a large extent on the place of residence.



swisskiss, Jul 1, 2009 @ 08:45

Me too 30% even more...For Foreigners from the EU the first 5 years with permit B seems to be that you pay more than nobody else..

Maybe you are more than 5 years in switzerland already if you pay just 20% ?  In this case I would say lucky you. :-)

I was told there are quite differences betweens cantons..i.e. in BS seems that you pay more than BL. U can save about 2000 CHF per year just moving from one street to another one. Does that happens in other cantons?
luigi1977, Jul 1, 2009 @ 11:02

yup exactly! expats are charged a premium during their first 5 years for the privilege of breathing same oxygen as Michael Schumacher & Shania Twain. As everything in Switzerland, this premium is randomly computed based on your passport serial number and average temperature on top of the Matterhorn :D ....just joking





Are you sure you are talking about Swiss taxes? I'm afraid you must be mistaken. You guys should talk to your respective HR to clarify...

swisskiss, Jul 1, 2009 @ 11:34

FlashG, how many years in switzerland? Seems that u have the same case as me..
luigi1977, Jul 1, 2009 @ 12:05

Well, here's my modest contribution. My firm advises expatriates on these issues.



Foreigners not yet on a C permit (available to most nationalities after 5 years) are subject to wages tax at source, i.e. deducted by your employer. The tax tables are Cantonal and do not vary depending on municipality.



The % rates do vary a lot, depending on Canton, number of children etc.



Some foreign specialists are entitled to a deduction on their taxable income to reflect expenses in Switzerland. This can be either a flat 1500 CHF per month, or based on real expenses.



In GE and VD staff who deal with clients can also apply for a special 'Representation Allowance'.



All workers may also increase contributions to their 2nd pillar scheme. Pensions become a lot less boring when you realise they can be cashed-out when leaving the country, or used to help buy property :-)



There are loads of possibilities .. I probably shouldnt have started this. Time for lunch ! :-)



Cheers

Phillip













[quote]20% ... I am paying 30%.



Perhaps that is why some advice might be useful.



A.



[/quote]
wilycoyote, Jul 1, 2009 @ 14:58

So far 5 months.

FlashG, Jul 1, 2009 @ 15:14

I agree 30% is pretty much the least any single person is paying, when social charges are included.



The allowances I mentioned however, can be removed from total remuneration and paid off-salary, reducing the amount subject to tax. Many Cantons have their own allowances for 'temporary foreign specialists' and similar key staff.



For the pension, the obligatory contributions which cant be taken to the EU are by definition already being paid, so it follows that anything extra paid by the employee is entirely portable.



That pension capital tax can always be limited to 5% and in some cases reduced to 0%.







[quote]Are you not lumping together taxes, state pension and private pension? In that case it's easily over 30% (without even talking to HR...)



Pension can be cashed out, yes, except if you're moving to the EU, in which case you can only cash out (and be taxed on) the superobligatory part...[/quote]
wilycoyote, Jul 1, 2009 @ 16:50

Great comments guys. Is a lot of helpfull information. What about the differences when they pay your salary in 12, 13 or 14 months..does that makes a difference?
luigi1977, Jul 2, 2009 @ 16:31

what happens when leaving switzerland ? The way I see it is that one has to give a power of attorney to someone and that someone has to transfer the funds to you overseas or pay for you if you owe.

 

Is there a better way ?

Tina Keller, Nov 17, 2010 @ 14:53