Zurich Income Tax Service

Zurich Income Tax Service

Zurich Income Tax Service – Cross-Border & HNWI

We support Zurich-based clients with complex Swiss income and wealth tax situations, often in combination with US or German filings. This page sets out how we work in Zurich and the canton-specific service packages available.

Service scope for Zurich income tax

For clients resident in the canton of Zurich, we combine Swiss income and wealth tax compliance with cross-border planning where needed. Typical elements of a Zurich mandate include:

  • Preparation of Zurich canton and municipal income tax returns
  • Annual wealth tax calculations and asset allocation within canton Zurich
  • Equity compensation (RSUs, stock options, ESPPs) and international sourcing
  • Investment income, portfolio reporting and foreign withholding taxes
  • Business income from partnerships or closely-held companies
  • Coordination with US and/or German returns to avoid or reduce double taxation

For a technical overview of Swiss and Zurich income tax concepts, see our Swiss Income Tax Guide and the Zurich section of the Swiss Wealth Tax Guide by Canton .

Zurich income tax packages & pricing (Swiss side)

The packages below cover our Zurich income and wealth tax work via Sesch TaxRep GmbH. Where US or German returns are required, they are handled by Sesch USA LLC and/or Sesch Group GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft under separate engagements and invoices. All amounts are exclusive of VAT.

Package Typical profile Scope (Swiss side) Fee (CHF)
Zurich Complex Swiss Only Income & wealth tax (no foreign filings)
  • Tax resident in canton Zurich
  • Significant salary/bonus and/or investment income
  • Larger securities portfolio and/or real estate
  • No parallel US or German tax return
  • Zurich income tax return (canton & municipality)
  • Annual wealth tax calculation and return
  • Standard deductions, pillar 2/3 and investment income reporting
  • Assessment review and response to straightforward tax office queries
 From CHF 1’200 to CHF 1’900
Depending on asset volume and income complexity.
Zurich–US Cross-Border Swiss + US individual returns
  • Zurich resident with US citizenship/green card
  • Salary/bonus, equity compensation, investment income
  • Bank and brokerage accounts in Switzerland and abroad
  • All items from the Complex Swiss Only package
  • Swiss-side coordination with US return (foreign tax credits, treaty issues)
  • Income and asset mapping for US reporting (in cooperation with Sesch USA LLC)
 Swiss side: CHF 1’500 – 2’300
US return prepared and invoiced separately by Sesch USA LLC (typically USD 1’800+).
Zurich–Germany Cross-Border Swiss + German individual returns
  • Zurich resident with German tax ties (domicile history, income or assets)
  • Employment, pension or investment income taxable in both countries
  • Occasional commuters or relocations between Germany and Zurich
  • All items from the Complex Swiss Only package
  • Application of the Germany–Switzerland tax treaty on Swiss side
  • Coordination with German return (double taxation relief, sourcing)
  • Joint review with Sesch Group GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
 Swiss side: CHF 1’500 – 2’300
German return prepared and invoiced separately (typically from EUR 1’500).
Zurich Private Client Plus Advanced cross-border / entrepreneur
  • Entrepreneurs, partners or significant shareholders
  • Multi-jurisdiction income (dividends, carry, partnership income)
  • Often combined US and/or German tax obligations
  • Tailored Zurich income and wealth tax planning and returns
  • Coordination with corporate and partnership structures
  • Integrated cross-border planning with US/German advisors
  • Extended involvement in tax audits and complex queries
 Swiss side: from CHF 2’400
Custom quote based on structure, entities and jurisdictions involved.

After an initial call and review of your documents, we will confirm which package fits best and provide a written fee quote before any work starts.

How the Zurich income tax process works

1. Discovery call

A 20-minute call to clarify your Zurich residence status, income sources, asset profile and any US or German tax connections. We determine whether your case fits one of the packages above.

2. Engagement and onboarding

You receive a joint engagement letter covering:

  • The Zurich income and wealth tax mandate with Sesch TaxRep GmbH
  • Where relevant, the US mandate with Sesch USA LLC and/or the German mandate with Sesch Group GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
  • Data protection, internal coordination and billing principles

3. Unified intake & document upload

We use a single questionnaire and secure upload portal. Salary statements (Lohnausweise), bank and portfolio reports, pension information and equity compensation data are collected once and then allocated internally to the Swiss, US and German teams as needed.

4. Draft returns & cross-border alignment

The Zurich team prepares draft income and wealth tax returns, while the US and/or German teams prepare their respective filings. We align sourcing, foreign tax credits and treaty positions so that the Zurich return is consistent with foreign returns.

5. Review, sign-off & filing

We walk you through the key figures for Zurich (taxable income, wealth, effective rates) and explain how they interact with US or German results. After your approval, we file the Zurich returns electronically or by post and monitor assessments and deadlines.

6. Invoicing

You receive a separate invoice from each legal entity involved (Swiss, US, German). On request, we can coordinate currency (CHF, USD, EUR) and provide a summary so you see the overall engagement cost.

Who we typically work with in Zurich

  • Senior employees and executives with international roles and equity compensation
  • US citizens/green card holders and German taxpayers living in canton Zurich
  • Entrepreneurs and shareholders with structures in multiple jurisdictions
  • Families with significant portfolios and wealth tax exposure in Zurich

Purely domestic Zurich salary-only cases without cross-border or wealth tax complexity are generally outside our scope and are better served by mass-market providers.

Talk to a Zurich income tax specialist

If you are resident in canton Zurich and your situation involves cross-border elements or significant wealth tax exposure, we can discuss the appropriate package and next steps in a complimentary 20-minute discovery call.

Book your free consult