Swiss Income Tax Service

Swiss Income Tax Service

We prepare and optimize Swiss income tax returns for private individuals with cross-border situations.

The service is delivered by Sesch TaxRep GmbH (Switzerland) and coordinated as needed with foreign advisors to ensure consistent positions across countries.

Our focus areas include assignments/expats, cross-border investments, real estate, and pensions & social security.

1) Who We Help

  • Swiss residents with income or assets abroad.
  • Inbound/Outbound expats, assignees and commuters with cross-border workdays.
  • Private owners of Swiss or foreign real estate, portfolios and private company stakes.
  • Pensioners receiving AHV/IV, occupational pensions, 3a withdrawals, or foreign pensions.

2) What We Do

  • Swiss tax return preparation (federal/cantonal/communal) with e-filing where available.
  • Withholding tax: tariff corrections, subsequent ordinary assessment (NOV) and refunds.
  • Double tax agreements: treaty analysis, foreign tax credit/relief, consistent residency positions.
  • Documentation: statements, assessments, official valuations, bank reports and schedules.
  • Representation before cantonal tax offices (extensions, inquiries, objections/appeals).

3) Expats & Assignments (CH ↔ Abroad)

  • Residency & day rules: domicile, center of vital interests, 183-day clauses.
  • Compensation items: bonus, RSU/ESPP, relocation, travel, hypo-tax and shadow payroll.
  • Home/host coordination: split payroll, workday allocation, withholding alignment, social security.
  • Cross-border commuters: special regimes, non-return days, certificates and exemptions.

4) Investments & Real Estate

  • Swiss property: imputed rental value, mortgage interest, maintenance deductions, property/land tax; on sale: real estate gains tax and holding-period effects.
  • Foreign property: progression proviso, foreign tax credit/relief, evidence for rental income and expenses.
  • Securities & private wealth: withholding tax, insurance lump-sum tax, wealth tax, year-end valuations and exchange-rate lists.
  • Private equity/closely held shares: private vs. professional trading analysis, capital gains treatment, reporting packs.

5) Pensions, Social Security & Withholding Tax

  • AHV/IV & occupational pensions: taxation of annuities vs. lump sums, buy-ins and staged withdrawals.
  • Pillar 3a: contribution planning and payout optimization by canton.
  • Foreign pensions (e.g., 401(k), IRA, EU schemes): treaty allocation, credit, reporting requirements.
  • Reclaims of Swiss/foreign dividend withholding using treaty forms and relief procedures.

6) Process & Pricing

  1. Kick-off (30–45 min): facts, residency/assignment status, income sources, deadlines.
  2. Secure upload: tailored checklists (salary, investments, real estate, pensions).
  3. Draft & review: return draft, tax calculation and optimization options.
  4. Filing & follow-through: submission, extensions, handling of office queries, assessment review.
  5. Transparent fees: fixed price by complexity tier (Basic / Plus / Premium) agreed before start.

7) Why Sesch TaxRep

  • Cross-border specialists: one team, one position—no contradictions between countries.
  • Cantonal depth: practical workpapers (valuations, securities lists, attachments) aligned with local practice.
  • Proactive & pragmatic: clear options, robust documentation, predictable liabilities.
  • Delivered in Switzerland by Sesch TaxRep GmbH, with coordinated support abroad when required.

Talk to Our Swiss Private Client Team

Have an assignment, foreign income, or a Swiss return with cross-border elements? We’ll map your situation, align treaty positions, and file a clean, defensible return.

Request a proposal