{"id":94300,"date":"2021-04-15T14:32:43","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T14:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/limposta-preventiva-e-nel-mirino-del-consiglio-federale\/"},"modified":"2022-02-12T11:33:05","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T11:33:05","slug":"the-withholding-tax-is-in-the-crosshairs-of-the-federal-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/the-withholding-tax-is-in-the-crosshairs-of-the-federal-council\/","title":{"rendered":"The withholding tax is&#8230; in the crosshairs of the Federal Council"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>The withholding tax is&#8230; in the crosshairs of the Federal Council<\/h1>\n<h3><em>The reform envisages the abolition of the tax on Swiss interest, with the exception of interest from the assets of natural persons domiciled in Switzerland<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>The Federal Council intends to strengthen the Swiss marketplace for third-party capital and group financing activities in all sectors.<br \/>\nTo this end it adopted the dispatch on an amendment to the Federal Withholding Tax Act (strengthening of the third-party capital market) at its meeting on 14 April 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Bundesgesetz-uber-die-Verrechnungssteuer.pdf\">Bundesgesetz \u00fcber die Verrechnungssteuer<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Loi-federale-sur-limpot-anticipe.pdf\">Loi f\u00e9d\u00e9rale sur l&#8217;imp\u00f4t anticip\u00e9<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Legge-federale-sullimposta-preventiva.pdf\">Legge federale sull\u2019imposta preventiva<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>At the same time, it has initiated the consultation procedure regarding the extension of the reporting procedure within a group in the area of withholding tax.<br \/>\nThe reform provides for the abolition of withholding tax on Swiss interest with the exception of interest from the assets of natural persons domiciled in Switzerland.<br \/>\nAs a result of the reform, it is expected that bond issues hitherto made abroad will in future increasingly be made from Switzerland. This will strengthen the Swiss market for third-party capital.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_87460\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-87460\" style=\"width: 840px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-87461 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-Svizzera-e-i-Cantoni-godono-di-imposte-moderate-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"La Svizzera e i Cantoni godono di imposte moderate\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-Svizzera-e-i-Cantoni-godono-di-imposte-moderate-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-Svizzera-e-i-Cantoni-godono-di-imposte-moderate-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-Svizzera-e-i-Cantoni-godono-di-imposte-moderate-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-Svizzera-e-i-Cantoni-godono-di-imposte-moderate-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-Svizzera-e-i-Cantoni-godono-di-imposte-moderate.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-87460\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Switzerland and the cantons enjoy moderate taxes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>A stimulus for internal financing activities<\/h3>\n<p>The abolition of the withholding tax on interest also provides companies with an incentive to carry out internal financing activities more frequently in Switzerland.<br \/>\nOverall, the reform strengthens the third-party capital market and in the medium to long term will boost value creation and job creation in our country.<br \/>\nIn addition, the Federal Council is abolishing the trading tax on Swiss bonds in order to make it more attractive to purchase these bonds via a securities dealer domiciled in Switzerland.<br \/>\nA total of 71 opinions were received during the consultation. A large majority of the participants in the consultation shared the view of the Federal Council that reform in the area of the third-party capital market is necessary.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Botschaft.pdf\">Botschaft des Schweizerischen Bundesrates zur Verrechnungssteuer<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Message.pdf\">Message du Conseil f\u00e9d\u00e9ral suisse sur l&#8217;imp\u00f4t anticip\u00e9<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Messaggio.pdf\">Messaggio del Consiglio Federale della Svizzera sull&#8217;imposta preventiva<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In contrast to the preliminary draft, the Federal Council has decided not to strengthen the guarantee function of the withholding tax. Already under the current system, foreign interest is not subject to withholding tax.<br \/>\nAlthough this decision weakens the guarantee function for Swiss interest, it must also be said that in the current interest rate environment the withholding tax fulfils its function only to a limited extent.<br \/>\nAn effective strengthening of the guarantee function could only be achieved by a new, complex system of tax deduction or by restricting tax banking secrecy.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_87001\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-87001\" style=\"width: 840px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-87002 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-bassa-tassazione-e-uno-dei-punti-di-forza-della-Svizzera-1024x683.png\" alt=\"La bassa tassazione \u00e8 uno dei punti di forza della Svizzera\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-bassa-tassazione-e-uno-dei-punti-di-forza-della-Svizzera-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-bassa-tassazione-e-uno-dei-punti-di-forza-della-Svizzera-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-bassa-tassazione-e-uno-dei-punti-di-forza-della-Svizzera-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-bassa-tassazione-e-uno-dei-punti-di-forza-della-Svizzera-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/La-bassa-tassazione-e-uno-dei-punti-di-forza-della-Svizzera.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-87001\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Low taxation is one of Switzerland&#8217;s strengths<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Financial impacts between short and long term<\/h3>\n<p>With regard to the financial repercussions, a distinction must be made between short-term one-off effects, recurrent static effects and long-term dynamic effects.<br \/>\nAs a one-off, short-term effect, the reform leads to an estimated revenue shortfall of CHF 1,000 million, which for the Confederation is, however, covered by provisions and therefore has no impact on the budget. This one-off revenue shortfall is due to the fact that the reimbursement of the current withholding tax on interest income can still be claimed for three years.<br \/>\nThe recurring static revenue shortfall is estimated at 170 million francs. If interest rate levels increase, revenues will decrease further.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Tassazione, sedici campi d\u2019azione per la Svizzera che verr\u00e0\" href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/taxation-sixteen-fields-action-switzerland-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Un gruppo di esperti migliorer\u00e0 la piazza fiscale elvetica<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a title=\"Tassazione, sedici campi d\u2019azione per la Svizzera che verr\u00e0\" href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/taxation-sixteen-fields-action-switzerland-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tassazione, sedici campi d\u2019azione per la Svizzera che verr\u00e0<\/a><br \/>\n<a title=\"S\u00ec alla consultazione dell\u2019imposta svizzera sul tonnellaggio\" href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/yes-to-swiss-tonnage-tax-consultation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S\u00ec alla consultazione dell\u2019imposta svizzera sul tonnellaggio<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Confederation assumes 90% of this amount, the cantons 10%. The abolition of the trading tax on Swiss bonds will result in annual revenue losses of CHF 25 million for the Confederation.<br \/>\nFrom a dynamic point of view, the reform has a very good cost-benefit ratio since it generates impulses which will favour the creation of value and jobs. At the federal level the reform could be self-financing after about five years.<br \/>\nFor the cantons and municipalities, which are affected to a lesser extent by the recurring revenue losses, these impulses should lead to higher revenues already in the short term.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_94210\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-94210\" style=\"width: 840px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-94211 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Una-calcolatrice-ed-euro-di-carta-e-moneta-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Una calcolatrice ed euro di carta e moneta\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Una-calcolatrice-ed-euro-di-carta-e-moneta-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Una-calcolatrice-ed-euro-di-carta-e-moneta-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Una-calcolatrice-ed-euro-di-carta-e-moneta-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Una-calcolatrice-ed-euro-di-carta-e-moneta-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Una-calcolatrice-ed-euro-di-carta-e-moneta.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-94210\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A calculator and euro paper and coin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>A liquidity advantage for the companies concerned<\/h3>\n<p>The notification procedure within a group in the context of withholding tax is to be extended. From now on, it can be applied from a shareholding of 10% or more. The authorisation procedure will also be simplified administratively.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/in-2025-nidwalden-the-best-tax-haven-world\/\"><strong>Nidwalden to be the world&#8217;s best tax haven by 2025<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/between-what-is-given-and-what-is-received-there-is-the-fiscal-residue\/\"><strong>The difference between what you give and what you receive is the residual tax base<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/up-the-income-of-swiss-households-but\/\"><strong>The income of Swiss households rises, but&#8230;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This change has practically no financial repercussions or significant effects on the guarantee function of the tax.<br \/>\nBusinesses will gain a liquidity advantage which will mirror that of the Confederation.<br \/>\nAt current interest rates, however, this effect will be negligible.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_87464\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-87464\" style=\"width: 840px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-87465 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Nella-Confederazione-Elvetica-lIVA-e-una-tassa-nazionale-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"Nella Confederazione Elvetica l'IVA \u00e8 una tassa nazionale\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Nella-Confederazione-Elvetica-lIVA-e-una-tassa-nazionale-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Nella-Confederazione-Elvetica-lIVA-e-una-tassa-nazionale-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Nella-Confederazione-Elvetica-lIVA-e-una-tassa-nazionale-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Nella-Confederazione-Elvetica-lIVA-e-una-tassa-nazionale-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Nella-Confederazione-Elvetica-lIVA-e-una-tassa-nazionale.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-87464\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In the Swiss Confederation VAT is a national tax.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><iframe title=\"Steuerstandort Schweiz (La Piazza Fiscale Svizzera in lingua tedesca)\" width=\"840\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/En5qBzWvYl4?feature=oembed&#038;width=840&#038;height=1000&#038;discover=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"La Place Fiscale Suisse (La Piazza Fiscale Svizzera in lingua francese)\" width=\"840\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5ERjG6Ce4dQ?feature=oembed&#038;width=840&#038;height=1000&#038;discover=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The reform provides for the abolition of the tax on Swiss interest, with the exception of interest on the assets of natural persons domiciled in Switzerland.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":94219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[256,260,210,305,257],"tags":[416,398,265,411,262],"class_list":["post-94300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-highlights","category-magazine","category-politics","category-switzerland","tag-bern","tag-federalism","tag-politics","tag-tax-competition","tag-taxation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94300"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":130094,"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94300\/revisions\/130094"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/94219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swissfederalism.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}