Who this Bern tax service is for

This page is designed for clients who need integrated, canton-specific advice in Bern, not just a one-off standard tax return. Typical situations where we act as Bern tax advisor include:

• Residents of Bern with substantial income, portfolios, real estate or business interests
• Entrepreneurs and shareholders with operating companies or holding structures in the canton
• Families facing inheritance or gifting questions involving assets and heirs in Bern
• Executives with equity compensation taxed partly in Bern and partly abroad
• Foreign investors and expats who need Bern wealth tax planning and treaty analysis
• Corporates and groups requiring bookkeeping, audit, valuation and tax in Bern

Straightforward, low-complexity returns without wealth, business or cross-border elements are generally not taken on as stand-alone mandates. We focus on high-end, integrated Bern tax service mandates.

Bern tax services at a glance

All core areas of cantonal taxation in Bern are covered through dedicated hubs and service lines:

Bern income tax service

Our Bern income tax service is aimed at clients whose tax situation goes well beyond a simple salary-and-rent return. As canton-based tax advisors and consultants, we work with:

• Residents with multiple income streams (employment, bonuses, equity compensation, self-employment)
• International executives taxed in Bern and abroad (US, Germany and other jurisdictions)
• Entrepreneurs drawing dividends, salaries and management fees from Bern companies
• Clients with investment portfolios, private equity and real estate income

The Bern income tax hub provides a detailed, technical overview of cantonal rules and municipality-specific aspects. For concrete, fixed-fee options and scope, see the Bern income tax service page.

We integrate Bern income tax with foreign tax filings wherever needed, so that income is consistently treated in Switzerland and abroad and double taxation is mitigated through treaty and credit mechanisms.

Bern wealth tax planning and filing

The canton of Bern levies wealth tax on worldwide assets of residents, with specific rules for the valuation of securities, real estate, participations and privately held companies. Our wealth tax advisory for Bern covers:

• Classification and valuation of portfolios, structured products and alternative investments
• Valuation of shares in privately held companies and holding structures located in Bern
• Wealth tax implications of relocating into or out of Bern
• Aligning wealth tax reporting with inheritance and gift planning

For technical details, thresholds and rates, see the Bern wealth tax hub. For the broader national framework, you may also refer to our Swiss wealth tax guides and tools.

Bern inheritance and gift tax service

Bern applies specific rules for inheritance and gift tax, including exemptions and rates depending on the relationship between donor/decedent and beneficiary. Our inheritance tax service in Bern helps:

• Families planning transfers of real estate, businesses and investment portfolios located in Bern
• Cross-border estates with heirs or assets in Bern and other countries
• Clients considering lifetime gifting strategies to optimise inheritance and wealth tax over time
• Heirs who need to understand and manage inheritance tax filings and deadlines

The Bern inheritance tax hub sets out the technical background. Practical service options and indicative fees are described on the Bern inheritance tax service page.

In many cases we combine inheritance tax planning with wealth tax, asset protection and international structuring so that families have one coherent plan rather than isolated steps.

Business and corporate tax in Bern

For companies and groups, we act as Bern business tax advisor on cantonal and federal matters. Typical mandates include:

• Corporate income and capital tax planning for Bern companies and permanent establishments
• Group structures, holding companies and financing structures involving Bern entities
• Business relocations into or out of Bern, including tax ruling support
• Management incentive plans and participation schemes for key executives

The nationwide Swiss business tax guide provides the framework within which Bern-specific rules operate. We then translate this into concrete, canton- and municipality-specific advice for your operations.

Bookkeeping and accounting service for Bern entities

Reliable bookkeeping and compliant financial statements are the foundation for accurate tax filings in Bern. Our bookkeeping and accounting service covers:

• Day-to-day bookkeeping for companies, branches and permanent establishments in Bern
• Preparation of Swiss statutory financial statements (OR) and Swiss GAAP FER accounts
• Management reporting, consolidation and KPI dashboards for groups with Bern entities
• Alignment between accounting policies and Bern tax treatment

For conceptual and technical guidance, see our Swiss bookkeeping and accounting guide. For concrete service packages and pricing, refer to the Swiss GAAP & accounting service page.

Audit and review service in Bern

Depending on size and structure, entities in Bern may be subject to limited or ordinary audit requirements, or they may voluntarily opt for a review. Our audit and review service includes:

• Limited and ordinary audits of Bern companies and groups
• Review engagements where a full audit is not required or desired
• Special audits under Swiss corporate law (e.g. contributions in kind, capital reductions)
• Coordination of audit findings with Bern tax planning and compliance

For details, see the dedicated audit and review service page. Audit work is coordinated with our tax and accounting teams so that issues are addressed consistently across all workstreams.

Valuation services for Bern companies and assets

Valuations play a central role in Bern for tax, M&A, inheritance, shareholder and litigation cases. Our valuation team provides:

• Valuation of privately held companies and shareholdings for tax and transaction purposes
• Valuation of businesses and assets for inheritance, gifting and matrimonial property settlements
• Fairness opinions and support in negotiations between shareholders or family members
• Documentation tailored to expectations of the cantonal and federal tax authorities

More information is available on our valuation service page. Valuation work is usually integrated into broader Bern tax and structuring engagements.

Asset protection and foreign trusts with Bern connections

For internationally mobile families and entrepreneurs with ties to Bern, asset protection structures such as foreign trusts, foundations or holding companies must be aligned with Swiss and cantonal tax rules. Our work in this area focuses on:

• Assessing existing foreign trusts and structures in light of Bern and Swiss tax practice
• Designing holding and asset protection structures that are robust and tax-efficient
• Coordinating with foreign counsel in key jurisdictions (e.g. US, common law trust jurisdictions)
• Integrating asset protection with inheritance, wealth and income tax planning in Bern

Our dedicated focus page on foreign trusts and asset protection explains the cross-border context. On this canton page, we bring that expertise into the Bern framework.

How our cross-border Bern tax process works

We handle income, wealth, inheritance, business tax and related services in Bern through a single, coordinated process, while keeping legal entities and professional regulations clearly separated:

• Switzerland (Bern focus): Sesch TaxRep GmbH – cantonal and federal tax, bookkeeping, accounting and related advisory.
• United States: Sesch USA LLC – US federal and state tax for individuals and, where relevant, entities.
• Germany: Sesch Group GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft – German tax, audit and advisory for cross-border cases.

Step 1 – Initial Bern-focused consult (20 minutes, free)

We clarify your residency status, assets, entities and family situation, identify which Bern tax areas are in scope (income, wealth, inheritance, business, bookkeeping, audit, valuation) and determine whether US or German tax obligations are also relevant.

Step 2 – Integrated engagement for Bern and abroad

You receive an engagement package that separates Swiss, US and German workstreams, but makes clear that your Bern tax service is managed as one integrated mandate with coordinated planning.

Step 3 – Unified intake and document upload

We use one intake process for all jurisdictions and service lines. Information on income, balance sheets, structures, trusts, real estate and portfolios is captured once and then allocated internally to Bern tax, bookkeeping, audit and valuation teams as needed.

Step 4 – Coordinated preparation and planning

Our teams prepare tax returns, financial statements, audit files and valuation reports with full visibility of cross-border implications. Positions are aligned so that filings in Switzerland, the US and Germany are consistent.

Step 5 – Joint review and implementation

We walk you through the overall tax position in Bern, highlighting key planning opportunities and risk areas. Once agreed, we proceed with filings, submissions and, where applicable, ruling or assessment discussions with the cantonal tax authorities.

Step 6 – Separate but coordinated invoicing

Invoices are issued by the relevant legal entities (Swiss, US, German) but we provide a consolidated overview so that you see the total cost of your Bern tax advisory, bookkeeping, audit and valuation in one place.

Talk to a Bern tax specialist

In a complimentary 20-minute discovery call, we clarify your Bern tax profile – including income, wealth, inheritance, business, bookkeeping, audit and valuation needs – and outline an appropriate engagement structure tailored to your situation.