First three tax information exchange agreements in force

(Last modification 03.11.2014)

Bern, 03.11.2014 - Switzerland's first three tax information exchange agreements, i.e. with Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, have entered into force. They will be applicable from 1 January 2015.

The agreements between Switzerland and Jersey, Switzerland and Guernsey and Switzerland and the Isle of Man regarding the exchange of information on tax matters have entered into force on 14 October 2014 and will be applicable from 1 January 2015.

On 4 April 2012, the Federal Council decided to adopt the international administrative assistance standard not only in double taxation agreements (DTAs) but also in tax information exchange agreements (TIEAs). DTAs and TIEAs are essentially equivalent instruments for agreeing to standard-compliant administrative assistance requests. Unlike DTAs, which are aimed primarily at avoiding double taxation and therefore contain other material provisions, TIEAs merely govern the exchange of information.

To date, Switzerland had signed 49 DTAs and 7 TIEAs that are in line with the international exchange of information standard, and of these, 38 DTAs and 3 TIEAs are in force.

Address for enquiries

Tax Division, State Secretariat for International Financial Matters SIF
+41 58 462 60 45, steuern@sif.admin.ch