In Basel-Landschaft, wealth tax is levied on the taxpayer’s net assets as at the end of the tax period, normally 31 December. The cantonal Steuergesetz and the Baselbieter Steuerbuch (Band 1 – Vermögen) define how the different asset classes must be valued (notably §§ 42–47 StG and Steuerbuch numbers 42–47).:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

This page summarises the key valuation methods for the main asset categories and links them to the documentation expected by the Basel-Landschaft tax administration.

1. General Principle (Steuerbuch 42 Nr. 1)

As a rule, assets are valued at fair market value (Verkehrswert), unless specific provisions for certain asset classes apply.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} This principle is then refined by detailed rules for business assets, real estate, securities and insurance.

2. Real Estate

For Basel-Landschaft, the standard valuation of real estate for wealth tax follows a cantonal cadastral value (kantonaler Katasterwert):​:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

• The cadastral value is determined by the canton taking into account both market value and income value.
• It serves as the binding wealth tax value for properties located in Basel-Landschaft.
• Official valuation notices form the key evidence and should be retained with your tax records.

For agricultural property and other special cases, the Steuerbuch sections on immovable property (43 Nr. 1 ff.) provide additional detail, including the use of income values for certain farming properties.

3. Business Assets & Intangible Assets (Steuerbuch 42 Nr. 2)

For movable business assets and intangibles held in a sole proprietorship or partnership, Basel-Landschaft links wealth tax valuation to the income tax balance sheet:

• Business assets are generally valued at the tax balance sheet value used for income tax purposes.
• Hidden reserves and depreciation must follow tax-acceptable rules; overly aggressive write-downs may be challenged.
• Where self-constructed assets or own work are capitalised, the Steuerbuch guidance on valuation of own services applies.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

In practice, this means that wealth tax for business assets follows the same valuation logic as your business income tax, subject to review by the tax administration.

4. Life & Annuity Insurance

The cantonal guidance on “Vermögen” states that capital insurance policies are taxed at their surrender value including profit participation:​:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

• Private life insurance and similar capital policies: taxable at their surrender value (Rückkaufswert), including any profit participation.
• Refundable annuity contracts: treated in the same way when a surrender value exists.
• Pension assets in the 2nd pillar and tied 3a pillar remain exempt from wealth tax.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

The insurer’s 31 December policy statement is the key document to support the declared value.

5. Listed Securities & Receivables

The Steuerbuch sections on “Wertschriftenvermögen” (46 Nr. 1 ff.) and the tax administration’s online guidance summarise the treatment of securities:​:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

• Listed securities: shares, funds and bonds are valued at their 31 December market price (typically based on the FTA’s official year-end price list).
• Interest-bearing instruments: the tax value normally includes accrued interest embedded in the market value.
• Receivables: are valued at nominal value; for disputed or demonstrably doubtful claims, the probability of loss may be reflected via a value reduction (Steuerbuch 42 Nr. 1, section on doubtful receivables).:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

6. Unlisted Shares & Private Companies (Steuerbuch 46 Nr. 2)

Basel-Landschaft explicitly refers to the Swiss Tax Conference (SSK) Circular No. 28 for valuing unlisted securities for wealth tax purposes.:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

• Valuation follows the practitioner method in KS 28 (Kreisschreiben 28): a combination of net asset value and earnings value.
• The tax administration applies this method to derive a tax value per share based on the company’s accounts.
• Once set, these values are used consistently for all shareholders and years until updated.

For privately held participations not yet covered by an official valuation, you should:

• Provide 2–3 years of financial statements (including notes).
• Highlight exceptional items and normalise earnings where appropriate.
• Use KS 28 methodology as a starting point and be prepared for the tax office to adjust assumptions.

7. Employee Shares & Options

Basel-Landschaft has issued detailed Steuerbuch guidance on employee shares and options in the income tax context (24 Nr. 4), which also impacts wealth tax treatment.:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

• Tradeable employee shares: generally valued at market value; where restrictions apply, an appropriate discount may be granted and reflected in the tax value.
• Options and certain participations taxed only on exercise: at grant, they are typically declared “pro memoria” with no wealth tax value; wealth tax relevance arises when they become exercisable/transferable.
• All employee participations must appear in the Wertschriften- und Guthabenverzeichnis with the tax value or “pro memoria” note.

For complex global plans, a separate memo documenting the grant conditions, vesting and valuation logic is advisable.

8. Other Assets & Tax-Free Property

The cantonal “Vermögen” guidance clarifies the treatment of everyday assets and special categories:​:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

• Household goods and personal effects: form part of tax-free wealth (steuerfreies Vermögen).
• Motor vehicles: are explicitly mentioned as part of taxable wealth and must be declared at realistic market value.
• Cryptoassets: not yet explicitly codified, but in practice are treated like financial assets and valued at year-end market rates (FTA crypto list or recognised exchange rates).
• Precious metals, art & collectibles: valued at fair market value, with professional appraisals recommended for high-value items.
• Cash and deposits: declared at nominal value (foreign currencies converted to CHF – see below).

9. Foreign Assets & Exchange Rates

The Steuerbuch on valuation of wealth (42 Nr. 1) explains that foreign-currency assets must be converted to CHF using appropriate foreign exchange rates.:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

• Use the FTA’s official year-end exchange rate list for each foreign currency.
• Foreign real estate is valued at local market/official value and then converted into CHF for Basel-Landschaft wealth tax.
• Keep statements in the original currency plus a note or printout of the FX rate applied.

10. Liabilities & Debt Deduction (Steuerbuch 48 Nr. 1)

Deductible debts reduce taxable wealth. Under § 48 StG and Steuerbuch guidance, the following principles apply:​:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

• Debts for which the taxpayer is solely liable are normally fully deductible at nominal value.
• Joint, guarantee or similar obligations are deductible only to the extent the taxpayer must economically bear them.
• Foreign-currency debts are converted at the same year-end exchange rates as assets.

Loan contracts, mortgage deeds and 31 December balance confirmations form the core documentation for debt deductions.

11. Timing & Tax Period

The Basel-Landschaft Kantonsblatt and the Steuerbuch emphasise that wealth tax is assessed on the basis of the asset position at the end of the tax period, usually the calendar year.:contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

• Tax period is the calendar year; tax liability generally arises for the whole year if present at year-end.
• For business owners with non-calendar financial years, the tax balance sheet closing within the year is decisive for business wealth.
• Special timing rules apply to inheritances and relocations during the year; the Kantonsblatt explains that in inheritance cases wealth tax is apportioned across sub-periods (before and after the estate event).:contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

12. Planning Takeaways

• Real estate: The cadastral value is central. Track revaluations and major renovations, as these flow directly into your wealth tax base.
• Business owners: Because business assets follow income-tax values, accounting choices (depreciation, hidden reserves) affect both income and wealth tax — coordination is key.
• Unlisted shares: KS 28-based valuations and official tax values provide a structured framework; use them proactively for succession and gifting strategies.
• Employee participations: Understand whether your plan is taxed at grant or at exercise — this determines whether “pro memoria” declarations or full wealth values apply.
• Allowances & rates: Combining precise valuations with cantonal exemptions (e.g. CHF 75,000 / 150,000 thresholds) and local municipal tax rates often matters more than marginal differences in asset values.