Taxes

Basel-Stadt reduced the profit tax to 13% and with patent box deductions to up to 11%. The tax reduction applies retroactively from January 1, 2019.

The withholding tax of 35% on dividends can be fully reimbursed for actors residing in Switzerland, for foreigners the respective double taxation agreement applies. The Dutch foundation "A." received a refund of only 20% of the withholding taxes, as it held under 25% of the shares and lost a discrimination lawsuit.

Dissatisfied taxpayers can use reconsideration or correction to challenge decisions or correct errors. Reconsideration is flexible and without deadline, correction fixes clear errors within five years.

In cases of serious, identifiable defects, a tax decision can also be declared void after the deadline has passed. This happened in the case of a female doctor, whose excessive income assessment was declared void by the Federal Court.

In case of an objection to a tax assessment, the appeal must be made within 30 days; missed deadlines may be restored under serious reasons such as illness. Late appeals without valid reasons will not be accepted.

Dissatisfied taxpayers can contest tax decisions through objection, appeal, and complaint before they become legally binding. If rejected at the cantonal level, there is still the option to go to the Federal Court, following strict deadlines and conditions.

Capital gains from private crypto management are tax-free, while commercial trading is subject to taxation. The distinction is made based on criteria such as transaction volume and holding period.

Cryptocurrencies have different impacts on income tax: private capital gains are tax-free, business profits are taxable. Income in the form of cryptocurrencies must be declared as taxable income.

Cryptocurrencies must be declared in the tax return; the method varies depending on the canton. Official exchange rates are taken from special rate lists of the ESTV.