Taxes

In Switzerland the confederation, cantons, communities and established regional churches impose taxes. There are direct and indirect taxes. The most important direct taxes are the income and the wealth taxes. These must be paid directly by the taxpayer. Indirect taxes are, namely, the value added tax, the tobacco tax, or the petroleum tax. These taxes are included in the price of the respective goods. Since the cantons and communities are responsible for many taxes, direct tax rates may vary greatly according to place of residence. Married couples are charged collectively. There are direct and indirect taxes. The most important direct taxes are the income and the wealth taxes. These must be paid directly by the taxpayer. Indirect taxes are, namely, the value added tax, the tobacco tax, or the petroleum tax. These taxes are included in the price of the respective goods. Since the cantons and communities are responsible for many taxes, direct tax rates may vary greatly according to place of residence. Married couples are charged collectively.

Foreigners who have moved to Switzerland recently pay their income tax by a deduction made directly from their income (Quellensteuer | Impôt à la source). Registration is handled by the employer. The level of taxation depends on income, civil status (single, married, divorced), and number of children. Changes must be reported immediately.
Additional deductions are possible, for example, contributions to the 3rd pillar, interest on debt, high health costs, etc.. Persons with assets must declare these assets and pay a separate tax on them. Persons with an income of over 120'000 Francs per year must file a tax return (regular taxation). Persons who are married to a Swiss citizen or a permit C holder must also file a tax return (ordentliche Besteuerung). The Cantonal Tax Office (Kantonale Steuerverwaltung | Intendance des impôts cantonale) will provide additional information regarding the withholding tax.

Persons with a Swiss passport or permit C are subject to regular taxation (ordentliche Besteuerung | Fiscalité ordinaire). Taxes are not deducted from their wages. They are obligated to file a tax return (Steuererklärung | Déclaration d'impôts) and pay a tax bill. Filing taxes is complex even for the Swiss. Asking for support the first time one files is recommended. Anyone who makes false statements in a tax return or fails to list income or assets is liable to prosecution. Tax returns can be completed on the Internet. For general questions about ordinary taxation, the municipality of residence is a good first point of contact. The municipality is responsible for regular taxation.