Fribourg Inheritance Tax Guide Fribourg Inheritance Tax Guide

Fribourg Inheritance Tax Guide

Fribourg Inheritance & Gift Tax Guide (2025) — Exemptions, Rates, Commune Surcharge, Situs, Forms & Deadlines

Ultimo aggiornamento: 12 Nov 2025

Fribourg Inheritance & Probate — Complete Guide

What executors and families need to know about Fribourg inheritance & gift tax: who is taxed, exemptions and deductions, commune surcharge, what’s taxed, situs rules for nonresidents, forms, deadlines, and planning considerations.

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Primer rapido (ufficiale): State of Fribourg — Inheritance & Gift Tax — Generalities (FR/DE). Confirms exemptions for spouses/registered partners and lineal ascendants/descendants, and links to detailed topics. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Why this matters. In Fribourg, close family are broadly exempt, but transfers to siblings and unrelated persons can face meaningful cantonal tax, which many communes increase with a surcharge of up to 70% of the cantonal portion. There is also a per-beneficiary CHF 5,000 deduction usable only once in a five-year window. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Fribourg Inheritance & Probate Basics

Who is taxed

Tax is levied on each heir/legatee’s share (not on the estate as a whole). Spouses/registered partners and direct line (ascendants and descendants) are exempt. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

What’s taxed

All gratuitous transfers on death (succession, legacies) and lifetime gifts are within scope; competence splits between canton and communes. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Fribourg Inheritance & Gift Tax — At a Glance

Esenzioni
Spouse/registered partner and lineal ascendants/descendants are generally exempt. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Standard deduction
CHF 5,000 per heir/legatee; if multiple transfers from the same donor/decedent, the deduction is granted only once within 5 anni. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Indicative rates (cantonal)
Siblings: 5.25%; nieces/nephews: 8.25%; unrelated persons: up to about 22%, subject to progression and relationship. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Commune surcharge
Many communes add a surcharge up to 70% of the calculated cantonal inheritance tax. Verify the applicable commune rate. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Regole del Situs
Movables are taxable at the decedent’s last domicile; beni immobili (real estate) is taxable where located (Fribourg taxes FR-situs real estate even if domiciled elsewhere). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Who files
Each taxable heir/legatee (or the representative) may have filing obligations; documentation is coordinated with the canton/commune authority. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Data di scadenza
Deadlines are set by the canton/commune and can vary by situation; across Swiss cantons, filings typically fall between 30 days and 6 months after the taxable event, with payment generally due shortly after assessment. Confirm FR’s notice. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Need a fast estimate? Try the Fribourg Inheritance Tax Calculator.

Official Pages, Forms & Where to File

  • Fribourg — Inheritance & Gift Tax (Generalities) (overview, competence, exemptions). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
  • Fribourg (DE) — Erbschaftssteuer & Allgemeines (rates, 5-year rule, commune surcharge). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
  • FAQ — ISD FAQ (relationship-driven rates & exemptions). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
  • Useful context — Federal/tertiary overviews on Swiss inheritance tax practice. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Fribourg Situs vs. Non-Situs Property (for Nonresidents)

Tipo di attivitàFribourg treatmentReference
Real property in FribourgIncluded and taxed in FribourgOfficial ISD pages (FR/DE).
Tangible personal property normally in FRIncluded at place keptOfficial ISD pages; general Swiss practice.
Movables (financial assets), nonresident decedentTaxed by canton of last domicile (not FR), unless specific competence rules applyOfficial ISD pages; federal overview.

Nonresidents with Fribourg real estate owe FR inheritance tax on that immovable; other assets follow domicile. Coordinate assessments and relief to avoid double taxation. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

Filing Mechanics & Deadlines

  • Quando presentare la domanda: Confirm the canton’s notice—Switzerland commonly requires filing within 30 days to 6 months of the event; payment typically follows assessment within a short window. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
  • Chi archivia: Each taxable beneficiary (or representative) — separate computations per heir/legatee. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
  • Dove depositare e pagare: State of Fribourg (ISD) — see ISD generalities/FAQ for contact and links. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}

Planning Ideas to Reduce Fribourg Inheritance/Gift Tax

  • Use exemptions. Transfers to spouse/registered partner and lineal relatives are exempt; consider testamentary shares reflecting this. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
  • Time the CHF 5,000 deduction. Remember the once-per-5-years rule per beneficiary for repeated transfers from the same donor/decedent. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
  • Commune check. Model the commune surcharge (up to 70% of the cantonal portion) when planning bequests to non-exempt heirs. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
  • Situs structuring for nonresidents. Real estate in FR remains FR-taxable; consider ownership and beneficiary design to fit goals (balanced with income/wealth tax and civil law constraints). :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
  • Charities. Legacies to qualifying public-benefit Swiss charities are typically exempt; keep documentation ready (statutes/recognition).

For step-by-step implementation, see the dedicated Fribourg Planning page or book a fixed-fee planning consult.

Case Law & Examples

See concise summaries and worked examples on the Fribourg Inheritance Tax Cases page (situs, commune surcharge mechanics, partner vs. sibling outcomes).

Recent Notes

Fribourg guidance highlights: relationship-based rates; CHF 5,000 deduction granted only once within five years for repeated transfers; communes may levy a surcharge up to 70% of the cantonal tax. Verify the current commune multiplier for the year of death. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}

Domande frequenti

Does Fribourg have an inheritance tax or an estate tax?

Inheritance/gift tax is levied on each heir or legatee (not a separate estate tax like in some countries). :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}

Are spouses, registered partners and children taxed?

No. Transfers to spouses/registered partners and lineal ascendants/descendants are generally exempt. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}

How big can the commune surcharge be?

Up to 70% of the cantonal inheritance tax (check the applicable commune). :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}

What are typical rates for non-exempt heirs?

Indicatively, siblings around 5.25%, nieces/nephews around 8.25%, and unrelated persons up to about 22%, before any commune surcharge. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}

When is a return due?

Deadlines are set by the canton/commune; across Switzerland, filings commonly fall 30 days–6 months after the event, with payment due shortly after assessment. Confirm the specific FR notice. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

Can you help me file or plan with a fixed fee?

Yes. See our Fribourg Inheritance & Gift Tax Service packages (planning and filing).

Avete bisogno di aiuto per l'archiviazione o la pianificazione?

We assist with Fribourg succession coordination, beneficiary computations, commune surcharge checks, and cross-canton situs issues.

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