Accounting
March 31, 2026 |
David Merz
Most Swiss AGs and GmbHs are legally required to have their annual financial statements audited. For the vast majority of SMEs, this entails a limited audit; a streamlined review that's less intensive and less expensive than a full ordinary audit. Yet audit costs remain one of the most common questions business owners ask when planning their annual compliance budget.
This article covers what a limited audit costs in Switzerland, the key factors that drive pricing, how limited and ordinary audits differ, and practical steps you can take to keep your audit costs manageable.
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February 18, 2026 |
David Merz
Switzerland is introducing the Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities (TJPG), a new law requiring companies to report their beneficial owners to a central register. This represents one of the most significant compliance changes for Swiss businesses in recent years, affecting nearly all AGs and GmbHs.
This article explains who must comply, what information must be reported, key deadlines, and penalties for non-compliance. Whether you're a startup founder, an established SME, or managing a foreign entity with Swiss operations, understanding these obligations is essential for maintaining legal compliance.
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December 15, 2025 |
David Merz
The global tax landscape shifted dramatically when Switzerland joined over 140 countries in implementing the OECD minimum tax—a 15% floor ensuring multinational enterprises pay minimum tax wherever they operate. For large multinationals, this represents the most significant change to international tax rules in decades.
This article examines what the OECD minimum tax means for Swiss businesses, how Switzerland implemented it following a 2023 referendum, which companies are affected, and what the future holds after the US withdrawal.
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November 19, 2025 |
David Merz
Understanding the “coordination deduction” is vital for proper pension planning in Switzerland. The CHF 26,460 deduction (as of 2025) directly affects how much of your salary gets insured under the second pillar. This seemingly minor technical detail can have a major impact on retirement security and presents challenges for part-time workers and those with multiple employees.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the coordination deduction: what it is, how it's calculated, whether employers can waive or reduce it, its impact on part-time workers and multiple job holders, and the implications of the failed BVG 21 reform.
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November 12, 2025 |
David Merz
Non-profit organizations across Switzerland contribute tremendously through social services, humanitarian aid, and advocacy work. However, given their reliance on public donations, tax exemptions, and donor trust, these organizations face intense scrutiny and complex legal, tax, and financial obligations that often exceed those of for-profit companies.
This comprehensive guide explores the key aspects of Swiss NGO accounting, including legal audit thresholds, SWISS GAAP FER 21 reporting standards, fund accounting principles, and effective grant management practices to ensure compliance and maintain transparency.
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September 29, 2025 |
Nexova AG
The fiduciary – a profession that has been one of Switzerland’s most recognised qualifications for over 30 years! A quick glance at their core responsibilities explains why. Today’s fiduciary is far more than just a numbers expert. Instead, they combine competencies from a variety of fields such as financial accounting, tax consulting, and business advisory. For companies, they act as a trusted support in complex matters.
Like many other industries, digital transformation has had a major impact on the fiduciary profession. Routine tasks can now be digitised with ease, allowing fiduciaries to focus on in-depth, future-oriented consulting. So what will the fiduciary’s career path look like in the future? And is this the right profession for you?
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September 22, 2025 |
David Merz
Voluntary buy-ins (also known as “purchases”) are one of the most effective tools to optimize your occupational pension contributions, reducing your tax burden today while strengthening your retirement benefits for the future. If you have a contribution gap in your 2nd pillar, it’s worth taking advantage of this opportunity for significant savings.
This article explains how buy-ins work, when they’re allowed, and how to make the most of them — including timing strategies, tax planning tips, and combining them with Pillar 3a. Whether you’re mid-career or nearing retirement, understanding how and when to make a voluntary purchase can make a substantial difference to your long-term financial outcome.
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September 16, 2025 |
David Merz
Many entrepreneurs begin their journey with a sole proprietorship. It's simple to set up, requires no minimum capital, and offers full control. But as the business grows, so do the legal, financial, and reputational demands. At some point, converting your company into another legal form – such as a GmbH or an AG – becomes a logical next step and offers numerous advantages.
This article explains when and why converting your sole proprietorship makes sense, the legal mechanisms available for doing so, and how to complete the process correctly while avoiding unexpected tax consequences.
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September 10, 2025 |
Nexova AG
As a rule, all entrepreneurs in Switzerland are subject to value added tax (VAT) if they meet the legal requirements. This means: Depending on the tax rate (8.1%, 3.8% or 2.6%), they add VAT to the invoice amount.
However, this obligation does not apply to all deliveries or services! For you as an entrepreneur, it is essential to know what is included and what is not. In this article, we give you an insight into this topic. Among other things, we explain what VAT actually is, who is subject to it and what billing models exist.
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September 3, 2025 |
David Merz
Withholding tax (Verrechnungssteuer) is a distinctive feature of Switzerland’s fiscal system. It is a federal tax that is primarily designed to reduce tax evasion on capital income. Set at a standard flat rate of 35% (with some exceptions), it applies to dividends, interest, lottery winnings, and certain insurance benefits. It is withheld directly at the source and is usually refunded to the taxpayer if they correctly declare their investment income.
In this article, we’ll break down how Swiss withholding tax works, which income it affects, how you can reclaim it, and what you should watch out for—whether you're a Swiss resident, an international investor, or a company operating in Switzerland.
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