The Canton of Solothurn levies wealth tax on net assets held on 31 December — that is, worldwide gross wealth minus recognized allowances, exemptions, and deductible liabilities. Correctly capturing these elements can materially reduce your combined cantonal and municipal wealth tax burden.

This overview is based on the Steuergesetz des Kantons Solothurn (StG SO) and practice of the Steueramt des Kantons Solothurn. Municipal multipliers (Gemeindesteuerfüsse) then drive the final effective rates at your place of residence.

Personal Allowances & Minimum Taxable Wealth

Solothurn provides basic allowances and social deductions that reduce taxable net wealth. The effective threshold at which wealth tax becomes due depends on civil status and family situation.

Amounts shown are indicative for 2025 and summarise typical Solothurn practice. Exact minimum taxable amounts and family deductions are defined in the official cantonal rate tables and may be adjusted periodically.

Debt Deductions

As in other Swiss cantons, Solothurn allows deduction of legally enforceable debts that exist on 31 December and are clearly documented. Typical deductible liabilities include:

• Mortgages on Swiss or foreign real estate
• Bank loans, investment loans, and margin loans
• Private loans supported by written agreements and interest documentation
• Accrued Swiss federal, cantonal, and municipal tax liabilities

Debts in foreign currency must be converted at the official year-end exchange rates published by the Federal Tax Administration (FTA).

Purely contingent or informal obligations (for example, guarantees) are not deductible until they crystallise into an actual enforceable debt.

Pension Assets & Retirement Accounts

Solothurn follows the standard Swiss approach of fully exempting key pension assets from wealth tax:

• Occupational pension assets (2^nd pillar)
• Tied individual retirement accounts (pillar 3a)

These assets are excluded from the taxable wealth base until benefits are paid out. Untied savings and investment products (pillar 3b) remain fully taxable.

Pension buy-ins and 3a contributions mainly provide income tax relief; their effect on wealth tax stems from how they shift balances between taxable and exempt accounts.

Valuation Adjustments

The Solothurn wealth tax base is influenced by the valuation rules for different asset classes:

• Unlisted business interests: generally valued using Swiss practitioner methods (earnings-based and net asset value), which can produce a value below a theoretical market price.
• Real estate: taxed at the official tax value (amtlicher Wert), often lower than market value, providing natural relief for property owners.
• Movable property: ordinary household goods are exempt; significant art, jewellery, and collections are taxable at fair market value.
• Cryptocurrencies and precious metals: typically valued at the FTA’s official year-end prices or other verifiable market quotations.

Marital Property & Family Context

Married couples and registered partners living together are taxed jointly in Solothurn. The assets of dependent children are attributed to the parents for wealth tax purposes.

Gifts and inheritances received during the tax year are included in year-end wealth unless they fall under a specific exemption (for example, certain pension or insurance benefits).

Documentation & Compliance

The Solothurn tax administration expects coherent documentation for both assets and liabilities. Typical supporting evidence includes:

• Bank and securities account statements as of 31 December
• Mortgage and loan balance confirmations
• Private loan agreements and interest summaries
• Pension statements (2^nd pillar and pillar 3a)

Ensuring that figures in the income and wealth sections of the return match helps avoid queries and assessment adjustments.

Planning Insights

• Solothurn’s effective wealth tax burden is sensitive to municipal tax multipliers; choosing the place of residence within the canton can have a noticeable impact.
• Maintaining appropriate mortgage leverage on real estate can reduce taxable net wealth, but interest costs, amortisation obligations, and risk tolerance must be considered.
• Reviewing official real estate and business valuations can uncover straightforward relief without complex structures.
• Coordinating wealth tax planning with inheritance, gift, and income tax strategies is especially relevant for Solothurn-resident business owners and investors.