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Common tax misconceptions

There’s a first time for everything. Also to learn about taxes. The world of taxes is big, and it’s normal to have knowledge gaps. Especially if you’re getting started. This entry demystifies common tax misconceptions. Tax misconceptions #1: The difference between average and marginal tax rate This is not necessarily a misconception, but rather a…Continue readingCommon tax misconceptions

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Tax filing Taxes

Tax declaration guide (6/6): Abschluss

Almost there! This is the closing theme of the tax declaration guide (and of the tax filing process). It literally deals with ‘closing’ (Abschluss). Most likely you won’t have much to do here. Overseas taxesSteuerausscheidung Let’s first clarify the title of this form. Ausscheidung seems to be a technical term that describes the tax split…Continue readingTax declaration guide (6/6): Abschluss

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Tax declaration guide (5/6): Vermögen

This entry of the tax declaration guide covers property and capital (Vermögen). This is the fifth theme of the tax filing process. I encourage you (again) to check this out if you want to know more about wealth taxes in Switzerland. Real estateLiegenschaften You must declare the value of all your properties, including those in…Continue readingTax declaration guide (5/6): Vermögen

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Tax filing Taxes

Tax declaration guide (4/6): Wertschriften

The fourth theme in the tax filing process deals with securities (Wertschriften). Both securities and cash in bank accounts belong here. This means pretty much everybody has something to declare in this theme. We’ll cover all forms in detail as part of the tax declaration guide. What you declare under Wertschriften potentially makes you liable…Continue readingTax declaration guide (4/6): Wertschriften

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Tax filing Taxes

Tax declaration guide (3/6): Abzüge [3/3]

This is the third and final entry of the tax declaration guide on tax deductions. We’ll cover all forms in ‘other deductions’ (Sonstige Abzüge). These are: Charitable donationsGemeinnützige Zuwendungen Illness and accident costsKrankheits- und Unfallkosten Disability related costsBehinderungsbedingte Kosten Additional deductionsWeitere Abzüge Charitable donationsGemeinnützige Zuwendungen You can deduct donations if they exceed CHF 100. My…Continue readingTax declaration guide (3/6): Abzüge [3/3]

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Tax filing Taxes

Tax declaration guide (3/6): Abzüge [2/3]

This is the second out of three entries of the tax declaration guide on tax deductions. We’ll cover: Out-of-pocket expenses for part-time jobsNebenerwerbskosten Interests on debtSchuldzinsen Alimonies and pensions to othersUnterhalt und renten Pillar 3aSäule 3a Insurance premiumsVersicherungsprämien Work-oriented education/coursesBerufsorientierte Aus- und Weiterbildung Expenses for part-time jobsNebenerwerbskosten You can use this form to deduct out-of-pocket…Continue readingTax declaration guide (3/6): Abzüge [2/3]

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Tax filing Taxes

Tax declaration guide (3/6): Abzüge [1/3]

The third theme in the tax declaration process gives you the option to list tax deductions. Tax deductions (Abzüge) bring down your taxable income, effectively helping you pay less taxes. If you’re not familiar with how tax deductions work, I encourage you to have a look at this post. This tax declaration guide will cover…Continue readingTax declaration guide (3/6): Abzüge [1/3]

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Tax filing Taxes

Tax declaration guide (2/6): Einkünfte

The second theme in the tax declaration process has to do with Einkünfte (income). This tax declaration guide covers all possible forms. Most certainly not every form will apply to you, though. That said, make sure you are exhaustive in indicating all sources of income. Consider both domestic and foreign. I’d suggest to read Taxes…Continue readingTax declaration guide (2/6): Einkünfte

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Tax declaration guide (1/6): Persönliches

The first theme in the tax filing process deals with first generic personal data (Persönliches). It then covers some very specific fields that have to do with inheritances, presents etc. We’ll cover all forms as part of the tax declaration guide. Taxable individualsSteuerpflichtige Personen This form is quite straightforward. Besides personal data, the only field…Continue readingTax declaration guide (1/6): Persönliches

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Tax filing Taxes

Tax declaration guide (0/6): Intro

Welcome to the tax declaration guide! This entry is the intro to a complete, step-by-step, English guide on how to file taxes in Switzerland. This tax declaration is focused on canton Zurich. Most concepts and steps can be generalized to other cantons. Official guidelines and disclaimer The tax declaration guide on mypersonalfinance.ch is by no…Continue readingTax declaration guide (0/6): Intro