Vaud Wealth Tax
Vaud Wealth Tax Guide 2025
Advisor overview of the Canton of Vaud’s wealth tax — progressive cantonal base, significant communal coefficients, allowances, valuation practice, and practical planning angles.
The Canton of Vaud (Vaud/VD) is one of Western Switzerland’s largest cantons and home to major international communities (Lausanne, Nyon, Montreux). Wealth tax applies annually on net worldwide assets for residents, and on Swiss-situs assets for certain nonresidents. Relative to Zug or Schwyz, effective rates are higher, driven by progressive cantonal scales and communal coefficients (multipliers).
Key Facts for 2025
- Tax base: Worldwide net assets for residents; Swiss-situs assets for nonresidents
- Assessment date: 31 December (assets and liabilities at year-end)
- Filing: Combined income & wealth return; joint assessment for married couples
- Communal variation: Coefficients differ materially across communes (e.g., Lausanne vs. Nyon vs. Rolle)
- Allowances & netting: Personal thresholds, dependents’ add-ons, and deductible debt reduce the base
- Pensions: Pillar 2 & 3a are exempt from wealth tax until withdrawal
Municipal Differences Within Vaud
Vaud’s communes set annual coefficients that can shift the effective burden meaningfully. Families and executives often compare Lausanne, Nyon, Rolle, Morges, and Montreux/Vevey when choosing a residence. The impact is most visible at higher net worth.
Use the Wealth Tax Calculator to model commune choices side-by-side.
Structure of the Vaud Wealth Tax Hub
Navigate the specialist pages for details and examples:
Rates & Communal Coefficients
Progressive cantonal scale and how commune coefficients amplify or reduce the result.
Allowances & Deductions
Personal thresholds, dependents, and deductible liabilities; how net wealth is determined.
Valuation Rules
Real estate (valeur fiscale), listed securities, private companies (practitioner method), and FX rules.
Wealth Tax Calculator
Indicative modelling by commune, filing status, and wealth bands.
Cases & Worked Examples
Resident and nonresident scenarios illustrating Vaud-specific mechanics.
Forms & Deadlines
Filing timeline, e-filing guidance, extensions, payments, and documentation checklist.
Planning Strategies
Resident optimisation: commune selection, leverage, pension, and valuation management.
Nonresident Guide
Limited tax liability for Vaud property/business assets; treaty interface and representation.
Filing & Administration
Vaud operates a modern e-filing system and allows extensions upon request. Provisional instalments can be adjusted if your profile changes. Assessments reflect the cantonal base + communal coefficient, and any approved church component.
- Authority: Administration Cantonale des Impôts (Canton of Vaud)
- Languages: French (official); English support via advisory firms
- Couples: Joint filing for married couples; dependents’ wealth attributed to parents
Planning Considerations
- Commune choice: Coefficient differences can shift annual totals by 10–25% at identical cantonal base.
- Debt & liquidity: Genuine, documented debt (e.g., mortgages) reduces the wealth base at 31 December.
- Pension shelters: Pillar 2 buy-ins and 3a contributions keep assets outside the wealth tax base until withdrawal.
- Valuation discipline: Real estate at valeur fiscale, private businesses via practitioner method — documentation matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Vaud’s wealth tax rates high?
- They are typically mid-to-high by Swiss standards once communal coefficients are applied, especially in larger communes.
- Do residents pay on worldwide assets?
- Yes. Worldwide net assets are reportable; deductions and allowances reduce the taxable base.
- Do pension assets count?
- Pillar 2 and 3a assets are exempt from wealth tax until withdrawal; pillar 3b remains taxable.
- How much do communes matter?
- Materially — the coefficient can change the total by double-digit percentages for the same cantonal base.