Tag Archives: Personal finance

In Switzerland, some married couples pay more tax than unmarried ones, something referred to as the marriage tax penalty. © Katarzyna Bialasiewicz | Dreamstime.comThe issue has been doing the rounds of the halls of Switzerland’s government for around 30 years. On 28 February 2016, a vote to change the current system was narrowly rejected by 50.8% of voters. Then in April 2019, the result of this referendum was reversed by the Federal Tribunal, Switzerland’s highest court, due to a...

Every quarter UBS, a bank, publishes its real estate bubble index, a report that covers real estate prices in 24 cities around the world. © Ppvector | Dreamstime.comIn the third quarter of 2019, Munich was listed as the most overvalued housing market in the world. Bubble risk was highest in Munich, Toronto, Hong Kong and Amsterdam. Frankfurt, Vancouver and Paris. London moved out of bubble risk territory while Paris and Frankfurt entered the risk zone for the first time....

In December 2017, the European Union (EU) set up a blacklist and a grey list of tax havens, countries it deemed were being used to help companies and wealthy individuals reduce their tax bills. Switzerland ended up on the grey list. © Neydtstock | Dreamstime.comNations on these lists faced reputational damage and stricter controls on financial transactions with the EU. On 10 October 2019, the European Commission reviewed the lists and removed Switzerland from the grey list after...

The Swiss canton of Vaud has managed to balance its 2020 budget with a small surplus of 76,000 francs. This is the 14th time in row that the canton’s budget has been in the black. Vaud’s parliament building At the same time planned spending is up by 2.43%, well ahead of Swiss inflation – prices were lower in September 2019 than they were in September 2018. A tax rate rise is planned and some complain the canton’s taxpayers are getting a raw deal. The canton expects...

The Swiss canton of Vaud has managed to balance its 2020 budget with a small surplus of 76,000 francs. This is the 14th time in row that the canton’s budget has been in the black. Vaud’s parliament buildingAt the same time planned spending is up by 2.43%, well ahead of Swiss inflation – prices were lower in September 2019 than they were in September 2018. A tax rate rise is planned and some complain the canton’s taxpayers are getting a raw deal. The canton expects to spend CHF 10.124...

After years of stalemate an updated double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and the United States has been ratified and is now in force. American and Swiss representatives signed the necessary documents last week. #AmbMcMullen and State Secretary Daniela Stoffel at the @efd_dff exchanged instruments of ratification of the Protocol of Amendment to the Double Taxation Treaty today in Bern, representing a milestone in tax relations between the ?? and ??. @USTreasury...

The number of people with debts in default continues to rise in Switzerland. © Siriporn Kaenseeya | Dreamstime.comAt the end of July 2019, 561,000 people, 6.5% of the population, were unable to service their debts according to the price comparison website comparis.ch. The figures, based on data from the credit analysis company CRIF include those who have failed to make repayments and are being pursued by creditors or have declared bankruptcy. The highest rates were in the cantons...

© Siriporn Kaenseeya | Dreamstime.com The number of people with debts in default continues to rise in Switzerland. At the end of July 2019, 561,000 people, 6.5% of the population, were unable to service their debts according to the price comparison website comparis.ch. The figures, based on data from the credit analysis company CRIF include those who have failed to make repayments and are being pursued by creditors or have declared bankruptcy. The highest rates were...

© Ginasanders | Dreamstime.com Every year, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) gives projections of compulsory health insurance premiums for the coming year. After years of rising premiums, many will be relieved by the small projected increases for 2020. Across all of Switzerland, the average premium is expected to rise 0.2% to CHF 315.40 a month. On average, adults will pay CHF 374.40 (+0.3%), young adults (19-25) CHF 265.30 (-2.0%) and children CHF...

Every year, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) gives advance warning of compulsory health insurance premiums for the coming year. © Ginasanders | Dreamstime.comAfter years of rising premiums, many will be relieved by the small projected increases for 2020. Across all of Switzerland, the average premium is expected to rise 0.2% to CHF 315.40 a month. On average, adults will pay CHF 374.40 (+0.3%), young adults (19-25) CHF 265.30 (-2.0%) and children CHF 98.70 (+0.0%)....