Withholding tax agreement between Switzerland and Germany

Bern, 30.03.2012 - Today, the German government informed Switzerland of its clear intention to sign the Swiss proposals on the withholding tax agreement. President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf will now submit the question of signing to the Federal Council.

Switzerland and Germany are currently engaged in pressing ahead with the approval process for the withholding tax agreement. In order to have the agreement enter into force at the start of 2013 as planned, Switzerland had requested clarity from the Germans by the end of March concerning Switzerland's proposed changes to the agreement. Today, the German government informed Switzerland of its clear intention to sign the Swiss proposals.  President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf will now submit the question of signing to the Federal Council.

The agreement ensures the implementation of the German authorities' legitimate tax claims. A lump-sum solution has been found for the past in the form of a tax on the capital stock. This lump-sum solution is linked to a fair tax burden and on the whole will lead to an equitable burden that is materially comparable with that of investors who were already tax-compliant.

The agreement requires the approval of parliament in both countries, and should enter into force at the start of 2013.


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