Zurich Wealth Tax - Rates
Zurich Wealth Tax: Rates & Municipal Differences
How Zurich’s progressive cantonal tariff and municipal multipliers (“Steuerfuss”) combine into your effective annual wealth tax.
In the Canton of Zurich, wealth tax is levied annually on net assets as at 31 December and is collected jointly by the canton and the municipality of residence. The cantonal tariff is progressive; each municipality sets its own tax multiplier (“Steuerfuss”) applied to the cantonal amount. The result: two taxpayers with identical net worth can face noticeably different liabilities depending on where in Zurich they live.
According to the Zurich Cantonal Tax Office, the effective combined burden typically falls within a modest range for mid-level portfolios and rises at higher brackets when municipal multipliers are above the cantonal baseline. Always verify the current year’s schedule and local multiplier before filing or relocating.
How the Zurich Wealth Tax Is Calculated
- Determine net taxable wealth (bank deposits, securities, real estate, business interests, other assets) minus allowable debts (e.g., mortgages) and permitted deductions.
- Apply the cantonal progression to obtain the cantonal base amount.
- Multiply by the municipality’s annual Steuerfuss (and church component if you are a member of a recognized community) to arrive at the combined amount.
Married couples are jointly assessed; brackets and allowances differ from those for single taxpayers. Minors’ assets are generally attributed to the parent/guardian for assessment purposes.
Cantonal Progression (Base Tariff)
Zurich applies a unified cantonal wealth tax schedule that increases progressively with net wealth. The table below is an illustrative view of how a progressive base can translate into amounts before any municipal multiplier. Consult the current-year tariff when filing.
| Taxable Net Wealth (CHF) | Illustrative Cantonal Base (CHF) | Illustrative Base Rate |
|---|---|---|
| up to 75,000 | 0 | 0% |
| 100,000 | ≈ 25 | ≈ 0.025% |
| 500,000 | ≈ 500 | ≈ 0.10% |
| 1,000,000 | ≈ 1,500 | ≈ 0.15% |
| 2,000,000 | ≈ 4,000 | ≈ 0.20% |
| 5,000,000+ | progressive | typ. ≤ ~0.30% base |
Illustrative only — for planning context. Always rely on the official Zurich tariff for the tax year in question.
Municipal Multipliers (“Steuerfuss”)
Each Zurich municipality annually sets a multiplier that is applied to the cantonal base amount. Multipliers vary by locality and can shift the effective rate materially. Low-multiplier suburbs tend to reduce the combined burden; core urban municipalities typically levy higher multipliers.
| Municipality (Examples) | Typical Multiplier Band* | Planning Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Low-range suburb | ~0.75× – 0.95× | Often attractive for HNW residents; verify services & other local taxes. |
| Mid-range municipality | ~1.00× – 1.15× | Broadly in line with cantonal baseline; limited rate arbitrage. |
| High-range urban center | ~1.15× – 1.30× | Higher services; expect a measurable uplift in the combined burden. |
*Banding is indicative for education only. Use the official municipal lists for the current tax year.
Worked Examples (Illustrative)
Example A — Single taxpayer in a mid-range municipality
- Net taxable wealth: CHF 2,000,000
- Cantonal base (illustrative): CHF 4,000
- Municipal multiplier: ~1.15×
Total wealth tax: 4,000 × (1 + 1.15) = CHF 8,600 (≈ 0.43% of net wealth).
Educational illustration; actual liability depends on official brackets, local multiplier, family status, church membership, and deductions.
Example B — Married couple in a low-range suburb
- Joint net taxable wealth: CHF 2,000,000
- Cantonal base (joint table, illustrative): CHF ≈3,200
- Municipal multiplier: ~0.85×
Total wealth tax: 3,200 × (1 + 0.85) = CHF 5,920 (≈ 0.30% of net wealth).
Illustrative only. Replace with current tariff numbers when filing.
Church Component
In Zurich, church taxes apply only if you are a member of a recognized religious community. Non-members are not subject to church wealth tax. Membership status is typically recorded with the municipality; confirm your status if unsure.
Annual Updates & Filing Considerations
- Municipal multipliers are set each year by the local authority and published publicly (usually at the turn of the year).
- Cantonal tariff changes are less frequent but should be checked for the relevant filing year.
- Rounding & valuation: certain assets (e.g., securities, crypto) follow official year-end valuation lists; real estate typically follows cantonal valuation rules.
Key Takeaways
- Your municipality of residence can materially affect effective wealth tax.
- For married couples, joint assessment and broader brackets apply.
- Before relocating or restructuring assets, run a scenario analysis using current multipliers and the latest Zurich tariff.