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Banks check the creditworthiness of an applicant in detail and require adequate collateral such as real estate or guarantees. The collateral and their loan-to-value limits vary depending on the type and value.

Services that are exempt from tax under Article 21 of the VAT Act may be taxed voluntarily in order to deduct input tax. Certain sectors, such as insurance and gambling, are excluded from this option.

The value-added tax can be settled either regularly or simplified via the balance tax rate, which requires less effort and mainly helps small businesses. The balance tax rate must be applied for at the FTA and is not applicable to large companies with a turnover of over CHF 5,020,000.

Findea and STARTUPS.CH offer a new accounting course specifically for company founders. The course helps to decide whether to manage the accounting oneself or to outsource it.

As of January 1, 2014, uniform rates will be introduced in the withholding tax procedure and an electronic accounting system will be offered. The new rates apply nationwide and the e-accounting is optional.

Companies are subject to value-added tax if they generate income on a sustained basis; exceptions apply for revenues under CHF 100,000. Hobby activities are not subject to this obligation.

Company foundations must be registered before the end of the year in order to be entered in the commercial register in 2013. Final dates vary by canton, e.g., December 9th in Zug.

A domicile in Switzerland offers tax advantages and high legal security. Findea AG offers comprehensive domicile services in Lucerne, Zug, and Zurich.

From 2014, the Business Identification Number (UID) replaces the old six-digit VAT number in Switzerland. The UID law came into effect on January 1, 2011.