Who this Zurich tax service is for

This page is designed for clients who need integrated, canton-specific advice in Zurich. Typical situations where we act as Zurich tax advisor include:

• Residents of Zurich 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 Zurich
• Executives with equity compensation taxed partly in Zurich and partly abroad
• Foreign investors and expats who need Zurich wealth tax planning and treaty analysis
• Corporates and groups requiring bookkeeping, audit, valuation and tax in Zurich

Zurich tax services at a glance

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

Zurich income tax service

Our Zurich 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 Zurich and abroad (US, Germany and other jurisdictions)
• Entrepreneurs drawing dividends, salaries and management fees from Zurich companies
• Clients with investment portfolios, private equity and real estate income

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

We integrate Zurich 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.

Zurich wealth tax planning and filing

The canton of Zurich levies wealth tax on worldwide assets of residents, with a progressive cantonal tariff and commune multipliers that differ between the city of Zurich and surrounding municipalities. Our wealth tax advisory for Zurich covers:

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

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

Zurich inheritance and gift tax service

Zurich applies a cantonal inheritance and gift tax regime in which close family members (spouses and direct descendants) enjoy substantial exemptions or relief, whereas more distant relatives and unrelated beneficiaries are subject to progressive rates. Our inheritance tax service in Zurich helps:

• Families planning transfers of real estate, businesses and investment portfolios located in Zurich
• Cross-border estates with heirs or assets in Zurich 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 Zurich inheritance tax hub sets out the technical background, including calculators, planning notes, nonresident guidance and forms. Practical service options and indicative fees are described on the Zurich 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 Zurich

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

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

For detailed information on corporate tax in the Canton of Zurich, including practical guidance, special cases, as well as relevant thresholds and tax rates, please refer to our Zurich business tax hub. If you require support with tax classification, planning, or implementation, our Zurich business tax service page outlines the available services.

For the broader national context and comparisons with other cantons and the Swiss federal framework, please also see our Swiss corporate tax overview.

Bookkeeping and accounting service for Zurich entities

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

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

Depending on size and structure, entities in Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich companies and assets

Valuations play a central role in Zurich 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 Zurich tax and structuring engagements.

Asset protection and foreign trusts with Zurich connections

For internationally mobile families and entrepreneurs with ties to Zurich, 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 Zurich 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 Zurich

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 Zurich framework.

Talk to a Zurich tax specialist

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