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Jura Inheritance & Gift Tax — Cases & Worked Examples (2025)

Last updated: 13 Nov 2025

Jura Inheritance & Gift Tax — Cases & Worked Examples

Use these case-style summaries and realistic hypotheticals to navigate Jura (JU) inheritance & gift tax. We focus on recurring pain points: who is taxed (per beneficiary), situs of assets for nonresidents, exempt vs. taxable heir classes, valuation, debt allocation, and procedure.

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How to read these. JU inheritance/gift tax is assessed per beneficiary. Many disputes turn on: (i) whether an asset is JU-situs (immovable vs. movable), (ii) whether a beneficiary is exempt (spouse/registered partner; lineal relatives), (iii) proof of valuation and debt linkage, and (iv) meeting procedural deadlines.

Case Digests — Common Themes

Nonresident decedent with Delémont apartment to unrelated friend

Theme: Nonresident situs · Heir class: unrelated (taxable) · Evidence: appraisal + mortgage tie-in

Holding (pattern): Jura taxes the apartment as JU-situs immovable despite domicile abroad. Unrelated beneficiary is non-exempt; relationship rates apply.

Reasoning: Immovables are taxed where located. Debt demonstrably attached to the apartment reduces the beneficiary’s taxable base.

Practice: Provide a date-of-death valuation, land-registry extract, and lender statements referencing the property.

Registered partner vs. unregistered partner in Porrentruy

Theme: Exemption status · Evidence: civil status records

Holding (pattern): Registered partners are generally treated like spouses (exempt). Unregistered cohabitants are not exempt and face relationship-based rates.

Reasoning: Exemption turns on formal status on the transfer date.

Practice: Confirm status via civil registry; align will/beneficiary design accordingly.

Tangible art collection normally kept in Jura storage

Theme: Tangible movables kept in JU · Evidence: storage/provenance

Holding (pattern): If artwork was ordinarily kept in JU, it may be JU-situs and taxable for non-exempt beneficiaries.

Reasoning: Tangible movables follow the place where they are normally kept.

Practice: Keep storage contracts, transport logs, and expert valuations.

Charitable legacy alongside taxable sibling

Theme: Base reduction via exemption · Evidence: charity recognition

Holding (pattern): Recognized public-benefit charities are typically exempt; their share reduces the base remaining for taxable heirs.

Reasoning: Exempt portions are excluded before applying relationship rates to the remainder.

Practice: Include statutes/recognition letters and allocation schedule per beneficiary.

Worked Hypotheticals

Hypo A — Zurich resident, JU holiday flat to niece
Facts
Decedent domiciled ZH; JU flat CHF 900k; mortgage 250k; niece sole legatee.
Issue
JU competence and taxable base.
Analysis
JU taxes the immovable at net value: CHF 900k − 250k = 650k. Niece is non-exempt → apply relationship rates.
Practice
Provide appraisal, mortgage statements, heirship docs.
Hypo B — JU resident, mixed heirs (spouse + unrelated friend)
Facts
Estate CHF 1.6m (incl. JU home 1.0m, mortgage 300k). Spouse 60% (exempt). Friend 40% residue.
Issue
Exempt vs. taxable allocation and debt linkage.
Analysis
Spouse exempt. For friend’s share, attribute mortgage to the JU home to reduce the taxable base.
Practice
Allocation schedule + lender docs; consider charitable offset to shrink friend’s base.
Hypo C — Nonresident donor gifting JU apartment inter vivos to child
Facts
Donor domiciled abroad; gifts JU apartment to lineal descendant.
Issue
Gift tax competence and exemption.
Analysis
JU competence for the immovable; transfer to lineal descendant generally exempt → filing/notification may still be required.
Practice
Notarial deed triggers timing; file as instructed; provide valuation and relationship proof.
Hypo D — Split storage of valuables between JU and another canton
Facts
Collection moved between depots; at death, some items in JU.
Issue
“Normally kept” test for tangibles.
Analysis
Items ordinarily kept in JU may be JU-situs; mixed evidence can split outcomes by item.
Practice
Maintain itemized storage history and independent valuations.

Practice Notes

  • Per-beneficiary computations: Build schedules by heir, subtracting exempt/charitable portions before applying relationship rates.
  • Debt allocation: Link mortgages/liens to specific assets (esp. JU immovables) to reduce the recipient’s base.
  • Valuation: Use date-of-death (or gift-date) market values supported by documentation acceptable to the canton/commune.
  • Deadlines: Follow the invitation/notice; request extensions before due dates.
  • Cross-canton/border: Expect parallel assessments (JU for immovables; domicile for movables). Keep foreign/domestic tax proofs for relief claims.

These summaries are educational patterns based on common Swiss practices. For a matter-specific analysis, consider a fixed-fee review.

FAQs

Can Jura tax movables of a nonresident decedent?

Movables (cash, securities) typically follow the last domicile, not Jura. Tangible movables normally kept in JU can be within JU scope.

Is a cohabiting partner exempt?

No. Only spouses/registered partners and lineal relatives are generally exempt. Unregistered partners are treated as non-exempt beneficiaries.

How do I reduce a taxable heir’s base?

Attribute relevant debts to JU immovables, use charitable legacies, secure acceptable valuations, and consider usufruct/remainder structures.

Do we still have to file if everything is exempt?

Procedural filings/notifications may still be requested. Follow the authority’s invitation and instructions.

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