Thurgau is a north-eastern canton on Lake Constance with a progressive wealth tax tariff and notable municipal multipliers. Effective rates for mid- to high-net-worth individuals typically sit around the Swiss middle, roughly in the 0.35–0.55 % range depending on municipality and asset structure. Many residents have cross-border ties to Germany, so planning often requires coordinated residence, valuation and structural decisions across both systems.

1. Residence & Municipality Selection

Municipality choice (Steuerfuss) is a central planning lever in Thurgau. Communes along Lake Constance, industrial centres, and more rural areas apply different multipliers to the basic cantonal tariff, leading to distinct effective rates.

• Compare key municipalities such as Frauenfeld, Kreuzlingen, Arbon, Romanshorn, Weinfelden and Amriswil for combined income and wealth tax.
• Include non-tax factors: housing market, commuting options to Zurich / St. Gallen / Konstanz, schooling, and quality of life.
• Ensure that residence reflects the true centre of life (Lebensmittelpunkt): your main home, family location and social ties should clearly sit in the chosen commune.

2. Using Leverage Strategically

Thurgau allows deduction of documented, enforceable liabilities when calculating taxable net wealth. Sensible leverage can therefore reduce the taxable base, but the economic cost of borrowing must dominate the analysis.

• Use clear loan agreements with interest rates, maturities, repayment schedules and collateral where appropriate.
• Mortgages on Thurgau and out-of-canton property, business loans and certain investment loans can be deductible when properly documented and allocated.
• Assess the after-tax cost of debt against expected returns and wealth tax savings, avoiding structures that exist primarily for tax reduction.

Artificial intra-family or circular loans without genuine substance may be recharacterised by the tax authorities and disallowed for deduction.

3. Valuation Reviews & Timing

Thurgau levies wealth tax on net assets at 31 December. Managing valuations proactively helps ensure fair assessments and reduces exposure to disputes, especially where cross-border reporting is also required.

• Real estate: Monitor official tax values and market developments, particularly for lakeside property (Kreuzlingen, Romanshorn, Arbon) and properties near major transport hubs. Where tax values diverge significantly from sustainable market value, consider options for review.
• Private companies: Apply the recognised practitioner method consistently. Document business results, normalisations, capitalisation rates and any discounts for minority stakes or illiquidity.
• Investment portfolios: Align year-end portfolio allocation with your risk and liquidity profile. Rebalancing or reallocation shortly before 31 December can change both taxable wealth and income for the year.

4. Pension & Retirement Coordination

Assets held in pillar 2 occupational pensions and pillar 3a accounts are exempt from Thurgau wealth tax while invested. In a mid-range tax canton, coordinated pension planning can materially influence total lifetime taxation.

• Use pillar 3a contributions each year (within statutory limits) to reduce taxable income and shelter long-term savings from wealth tax.
• Evaluate pillar 2 buy-ins as a way to convert taxable wealth into pension capital, especially in years with high income or before retirement.
• Plan pension and 3a withdrawals in tranches, and consider timing relative to any relocation within Switzerland or across the border to Germany, where pension taxation may differ.

5. Family & Succession Planning

Thurgau has its own inheritance and gift tax rules which interact with wealth tax over the life cycle. While spouses and direct descendants are typically favoured, transfers to other heirs can face higher rates, especially where real estate or business assets are involved.

• Model the trade-off between continued wealth tax on retained assets and potential inheritance or gift tax on transfers to children, relatives or third parties.
• For family businesses and property, consider staggered transfers (e.g. partial donations, reserved usufruct, sales at arm’s length) backed by solid valuation reports.
• Where heirs or assets are in Germany or other jurisdictions, integrate Thurgau inheritance and gift tax rules with cross-border estate planning and treaty considerations.

6. Nonresident Considerations

Nonresidents are generally taxable in Thurgau on certain Swiss-situs assets only — mainly real estate and business assets located in the canton. This is particularly relevant for foreign owners of Lake Constance property or operating businesses in the region.

• Review allocation of worldwide debt to ensure deductible liabilities are correctly attributed to Thurgau-situs assets.
• Maintain up-to-date valuations of Thurgau property and participations, especially when refinancing or restructuring is contemplated.
• Where required, appoint a Swiss representative and ensure filings align with double-tax treaties and foreign reporting obligations (notably in Germany).

For detailed rules on limited tax liability, wealth allocation and treaty interaction for nonresident owners of Thurgau assets, see the Nonresident Guide.

7. Integration with Broader Planning

For many taxpayers, Thurgau is part of a larger Swiss–German cross-border footprint or multi-cantonal life pattern. Wealth tax planning should therefore be integrated into income, corporate and estate strategies.

• Assess the combined effective tax burden (income, wealth, social security, and inheritance / gift tax) for different residence and structuring scenarios in Thurgau and neighbouring cantons or Germany.
• Use consolidated reporting across Swiss and foreign custodians to ensure consistent year-end valuations, currency conversions and debt allocations.
• Coordinate among investment managers, corporate structures, trusts or foundations and tax advisers so that the figures used in Thurgau filings match internal reporting and foreign returns.

Summary — Thurgau Planning Characteristics

• Mid-range effective wealth tax levels with significant municipal variation via local multipliers.
• Key levers include municipality choice, documented debt, and disciplined valuation of real estate, private companies and portfolios.
• Standard Swiss pension planning tools (pillar 2 and pillar 3a) can be used to reduce both income and wealth tax over time.
• Important role for cross-border coordination with Germany and neighbouring cantons, particularly for Lake Constance residents and commuters.