On 18 June 2023, Swiss voters will choose whether to accept the federal government’s plan to raise the company tax rate applied to large multinationals to a minimum of 15%. The minimum 15% tax, which will apply to any company with annual revenues of Euro 750 million or more, has essentially been forced on Switzerland […]
Switzerland’s higher company tax vote – a step into the unknown
On 18 June 2023, Swiss voters will choose whether to accept the government’s plan to raise company tax rates to a minimum of 15%. The minimum 15% tax, which will apply to any company with annual revenues of Euro 750 million or more, has essentially been forced on Switzerland by the OECD as part of […]
Swiss initiative that aims to let voters fire cabinet members
Currently, the members of Switzerland’s seven-member Federal Council, the nation’s executive or cabinet, are elected for four years by the members of parliament (National Council) and the upper house (Council of States). This week, an initiative was launched for a referendum on whether to allow voters to remove any Federal Councillor they don’t like, reported […]
Federal Council axes November 2023 voting
In Switzerland, citizens 18 and over are typically called to vote on a number of referenda four times a year. However, in 2023, the fourth scheduled date on 26 November 2023 was axed by the Federal Council this week, reported RTS. The referendum vote date was cancelled because it clashes with Switzerland’s four-yearly federal election, […]
Vote to preserve Swiss cash passes signature hurdle
Swiss voters look set to vote on whether to change the constitution to preserve the cash version of their currency after a group focused on defending Switzerland’s notes and coins announced it had collected 157,000 signatures, a figure exceeding the 100,000 required to launch a referendum, reported RTS. Of the 157,422 signatures the Swiss Liberty […]
Vote on pension reform most divisive in Swiss history
Switzerland’s recent vote on state pension reform on 25 September 2022, divided men and women, reported RTS. The vote was split into two parts. The first asked whether the state pension age for women should rise from 64 to 65 to bring it into line with the pension age for men. The second part asked […]
Swiss vote results on pension reform, taxes and factory farming
On 25 September 2022, Swiss voters voted on four federal initiatives on whether to reform the state pension system, remove some withholding taxes and stamp duty and whether to restrict factory farming. Voting this weekend saw two initiatives accepted and two rejected. Majorities were in favour of the government’s pension reform plan (50.57%) and raising VAT to […]
Swiss to vote on factory farming
On the 25 September 2022 the Swiss electorate will vote on the Factory Farming Initiative. Switzerland’s current legislation on the protection of animals is among the strictest in the world. The dignity and welfare of animals are both protected under the law. In 1992, Switzerland became the first nation to consider the dignity of animals […]
Swiss to vote on abolition of withholding tax and stamp duty
Currently, Switzerland levies a withholding tax of 35% cent on income from interest. People living in Switzerland can claim most of this tax back if they declare the interest in their tax return. However, foreign residents cannot. This means Swiss companies avoid issuing bonds from Switzerland. The federal government would like remove the withholding tax […]
Swiss to vote on government’s pension reform plan
Across much of the developed world pension finances are getting squeezed as populations age, baby boomers in particular. Switzerland’s government has a reform plan. However, some who don’t like it called a referendum to oppose it. Arguments for and against the changes are being aired before a vote on 25 September 2022. The proposed changes, […]