Grisons Inheritance Tax Guide:

Grisons Inheritance Tax Cases Grisons Inheritance Tax Cases

Grisons Inheritance Tax Cases

Grisons (Graubünden) Inheritance & Gift Tax — Cases & Worked Examples (2025)

Last updated: 13 Nov 2025

Grisons (Graubünden) Inheritance & Gift Tax — Cases & Worked Examples

Use these case-style summaries and realistic hypotheticals to navigate Grisons (GR) inheritance & gift tax. We focus on recurring pain points: who is taxed (per beneficiary), situs of assets for nonresidents, exempt vs. taxable heir classes, Bewertung, Schuldenverteilung, und Verfahren.

Get help: Grisons Inheritance & Gift Tax Service (fixed-fee)
How to read these. GR inheritance/gift tax is assessed pro Begünstigtem. Many disputes turn on: (i) whether an asset is GR-situs (immovable vs. movable), (ii) whether a beneficiary is freigestellt (spouse/registered partner; lineal relatives), (iii) proof of Bewertung und debt linkage, and (iv) meeting procedural Fristen.

Case Digests — Common Themes

Nonresident decedent with St. Moritz apartment to unrelated friend

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

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

Begründungen: 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 Chur

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.

Begründungen: 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 Davos storage

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

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

Begründungen: 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.

Begründungen: 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, GR holiday flat to niece
Fakten
Decedent domiciled ZH; GR flat CHF 900k; mortgage 250k; niece sole legatee.
Ausgabe
GR competence and taxable base.
Analysis
GR 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 — GR resident, mixed heirs (spouse + unrelated friend)
Fakten
Estate CHF 1.6m (incl. GR home 1.0m, mortgage 300k). Spouse 60% (exempt). Friend 40% residue.
Ausgabe
Exempt vs. taxable allocation and debt linkage.
Analysis
Spouse exempt. For friend’s share, attribute mortgage to the GR home to reduce the taxable base.
Practice
Allocation schedule + lender docs; consider charitable offset to shrink friend’s base.
Hypo C — Nonresident donor gifting GR apartment inter vivos to child
Fakten
Donor domiciled abroad; gifts GR apartment to lineal descendant.
Ausgabe
Gift tax competence and exemption.
Analysis
GR 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 GR and another canton
Fakten
Collection moved between depots; at death, some items in GR.
Ausgabe
“Normally kept” test for tangibles.
Analysis
Items ordinarily kept in GR may be GR-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 vor applying relationship rates.
  • Verschuldung: Link mortgages/liens to specific assets (esp. GR immovables) to reduce the recipient’s base.
  • Bewertung: Use date-of-death (or gift-date) market values supported by documentation acceptable to the canton/commune.
  • Fristen: Follow the invitation/notice; request extensions vor due dates.
  • Cross-canton/border: Expect parallel assessments (GR 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 Grisons tax movables of a nonresident decedent?

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

Is a cohabiting partner exempt?

No. Only Ehegatten/eingetragene Partner und 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 GR 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.

Talk to an advisor — Case review Kontakt