Living in Zurich as an American: A Complete Guide for Expats

Living as an Expat in Switzerland

For many expats, Switzerland is the ideal country to make a new home. With its high standard of living, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, Switzerland can seem like a kind of heaven on earth. Plus, Switzerland is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in the world.

So what are Switzerland’s taxes like for living in Zurich as an American? Let’s take a look.

Switzerland Taxes at a Glance

• Primary Tax Forms: None for non-residents; varies based on canton for residents and foreigners with resident permits
• Date Primary Tax Form is Received: Varies based on the canton of residence
• Tax Deadline: March 15th or March 31st, depending on the canton of residence, often with extensions available
• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
• Population: 8.6 million
• Number of US Expats in Switzerland: Fewer than 25,000
• Capital City: None, though the federal authorities are in Bern
• Primary Language: German (most common), French, Italian, Romansh
• Tax Treaty: Yes
• Totalization Agreement: Yes

What Are Switzerland’s Taxes like for US Expats? 

For many expats, Switzerland is the ideal country to make a new home. With its high standard of living, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, Switzerland can seem like heaven on earth. Plus, Switzerland is widely regarded as one of the safest countries on earth.

However, Swiss taxes can be incredibly complex. Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, each of which manages taxes a little differently. Many Americans living abroad in Switzerland find it difficult to keep track of their tax obligations.

So what are Switzerland’s taxes like for US expats? Should expats living in Switzerland file a tax return with the US government or the Swiss?

In most cases, the answer is both. To begin with, virtually all US citizens are required to file an annual US Federal Tax Return regardless of where they live. In addition to this, many Americans living in Switzerland will also need to file a Swiss tax return.

To help clear up what taxes you may need to file—and pay—as an expat, here’s an overview of Switzerland’s tax policies:

Who Has to File Taxes in Switzerland? 

Switzerland uses a residency-based taxation system.

All tax-resident individuals are taxed on worldwide income, not just Switzerland-sourced income. In the case of foreign nationals without a permanent residence permit, this tax is generally collected through a withholding system—the tax is taken from salary payments and withheld by an employer.

This means that many resident US expats will not be required to file a tax return. Generally, the only exceptions to this are when:

• They are self-employed
• They receive income from a non-Swiss source
• Their annual employment income exceeds certain thresholds

If you do have to file, you will need to self-assess your tax obligations, much like with a US tax return.

Unlike residents, non-resident expats are not required to file a tax return at all unless they qualify as quasi-residents. Those that are required to file are only taxed on their Swiss-sourced income.

Who Qualifies as a Tax Resident in Switzerland? 

In Switzerland, you are considered a resident for tax purposes if:

• You move to Switzerland intending to stay permanently
• You are in Switzerland for more than 30 days performing a business-related activity
• You are in Switzerland for more than 90 days for any purpose

If an expat doesn’t meet those standards, they are generally considered a non-resident. However, Switzerland has another category: quasi-residents—if 90% or more of your income comes from Swiss sources. Those sources may include:

• Income from a Swiss employer
• Compensation for being a member of the board of directors of a Swiss company
• Interest from Swiss bank accounts
• Dividends obtained from a Swiss company
• Income from real estate located in Switzerland
• Pensions and other passive income
• Income distributed to a fixed place of business in Switzerland

Quasi-residents must file a tax return.

Pro Tip: If you qualify as a quasi-resident, you are entitled to the same tax deductions as residents.

What Types of Taxation Does Switzerland Have? 

Income Tax 

Income taxes for US expats living in Switzerland are extraordinarily complex. Taxpayers are taxed at three different levels:

• Federal
• Cantonal
• Municipal

At the federal and cantonal levels, most tax rates are progressive. Below is a table with the progressive federal tax rate.

Federal Income Tax Rates in Switzerland

Income	Tax Rate
0–14,500	None
31,600–41,400	131.65 plus 0.88% on excess over 31,600
41,400–55,200	217.90 plus 2.64% on excess over 41,400
55,200–72,500	582.20 plus 2.97% on excess over 55,200
72,500–78,100	1,096.00 plus 5.94% on excess over 72,500
78,100–103,600	1,428.60 plus 6.60% on excess over 78,100
103,600–134,600	3,111.60 plus 8.80% on excess over 103,600
134,600–176,000	5,839.60 plus 11.00% on excess over 134,600
176,000–755,200	10,393.60 plus 13.20% on excess over 176,000
755,200 and above	86,848.00 plus 11.50% on excess over 755,200

Cantonal rates vary. For some references, see the table below, with the progressive rate for single taxpayers in the canton of Zurich. All amounts are given in Swiss francs (CHF).

Cantonal Income Tax Rate in Zurich

Taxable Income	Tax Rate
0–6,700	None
6,700–11,400	2% on excess over 6,700
11,400–16,100	94 plus 3% on excess over 11,400
16,100–23,700	235 plus 4% on excess over 16,100
23,700–33,000	539 plus 5% on excess over 23,700
33,000–43,700	1,004 plus 6% on excess over 33,000
43,700–56,100	1,646 plus 7% on excess over 43,700
56,100–73,000	2,514 plus 8% on excess over 56,100
73,000–105,500	3,866 plus 9% on excess over 73,000
105,500–137,700	6,791 plus 10% on excess over 105,500
137,700–188,700	10,011 plus 11% on excess over 137,700
188,700–254,900	15,621 plus 12% on excess over 188,700
254,900 and above	23,565 plus 13% on excess over 254,900

Residents of Switzerland are taxed on their worldwide income except for profits from:

• Foreign businesses
• Foreign branches
• Foreign immovable property

These categories are tax-exempt.

Residents must declare old-age pensions, occupational pensions, and invalidity insurance benefits as income. In most cases, these categories are fully liable to tax, but any supplementary pension benefits are non-taxable.

Self-employed residents must pay tax on income and assets in the same way as employees, though qualifying business expenses can be deducted.

Sole proprietorships, general partnerships, and limited partnerships are taxed on an individual basis and subject to income tax and wealth tax. Corporations and limited liability companies are taxed on profits and wealth.

Capital Gains Tax 

In Switzerland, capital gains and capital appreciation that originated from the sale of business assets (whether tangible or intangible) are taxable. However, gains that are realized from a sale of shares or real property are, in most cases, not federally taxable.

The cantons charge independent capital gains tax on real property sales. Cantons do not tax personal capital gains from movable property so long as it is not considered a business asset.

Estate Tax 

Switzerland has no inheritance or estate taxes at the federal level, but certain induvial cantons may.

Gift Tax

As with the estate tax, there is no federal gift tax, but some cantons do levy this tax. The gift tax rate is typically determined by the size of the gift and the relationship to the giver.

Church Tax

Many cantons have a church tax for registered members of an official religious affiliation. The official religious affiliations include Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, and Evangelical Reformed.

Net Wealth Tax

Each Swiss canton has an individual net wealth tax. The rate is determined by the balance of the international gross assets minus debts. Reportable assets include:

• Bank account balances
• Bonds
• Shares
• Funds and other equities
• Life insurances with surrender values
• Vehicles
• Properties
• Other valuable assets such as art or jewelry.

Some cantons allow social deductions for this tax.

Value-Added Tax

Certain products and services are subject to a value-added tax (VAT). In most cases, the rate for this tax is 7.7%. On the other hand, basic goods are taxed at 2.5%, and services in connection with housing are taxed at 3.7%.

Registered taxpayers can usually use the amount of VAT charged by suppliers or paid on imports as an offset against the VAT payable.

Social Security

As part of the Swiss social security system, professional pension plans are mandatory for employees, but private pension plans are discretionary.

The US-Switzerland totalization agreement defines terms for which system expats living and working in Switzerland should pay into.

• If a US company assigns you to work in Switzerland for less than five years, you will generally pay into US Social Security
• If the assignment exceeds five years, you will likely pay into Swiss social security
• If you are working for a non-US employer in Switzerland, you will pay into Swiss social security

Property Tax

A property tax, also known as land tax or real estate tax, may be levied on land and buildings at the cantonal level. Not all cantons have a property tax. For those that do, the registered owners or users of the property in the land register are responsible for paying this tax.

Rates usually range from 0.1% to 0.15% of the property’s taxable value (without taking any related debts or mortgages into account). The precise rate is determined by the canton that the property is located in, regardless of where the owner lives.

Corporate Tax

The federal Swiss corporate tax rate is a flat rate of 8.5%, but additional cantonal and municipal rates apply. These can range considerably. The maximum corporate tax rate, including all federal, cantonal, and communal taxes, is between 11.9% and 21.6%. But because Switzerland has a number of allowances and deductions for corporations, you’ll probably end up paying a much lower amount.

Miscellaneous

Other taxes, such as casino taxes, dog taxes, special consumption taxes, rental taxes, and stamp duties, may also apply depending on the canton.

Does the US Have a Tax Treaty with Switzerland?

Yes, the US has a formal tax treaty with Switzerland. This treaty helps US expats living in Switzerland avoid double taxation.

The US also has a totalization agreement with Switzerland to clarify which nation’s social security system Americans living in Switzerland must contribute to.

What Tax Forms Do Americans Living in Switzerland Have to File? 

Swiss Tax Forms for Expats 

Individual Income Tax Return

In Switzerland, cantonal tax authorities deal with income tax returns instead of the Swiss federal government, and the filing instructions can be different for each. To learn the specific filing requirements for your canton, you will have to find the link to your canton’s tax authority on the Swiss government’s website.

The due date for filing a Swiss tax return also depends on your canton, but most canton’s due dates fall between March 15th and March 31st.

Pro Tip: In certain cantons, you can apply for an extension through June, September, or November.

US Tax Forms for Expats

What Tax Deductions Are Available for Americans Living in Switzerland? 

Because of the US-Switzerland tax treaty, most Americans living abroad in Switzerland are exempt from double taxation. However, the IRS also provides several other potential tax credits and deductions for expats, such as:

• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion 
• Foreign Tax Credit 
• Foreign Housing Exclusion (or Deduction) 

Using these tax credits, most expats can erase their US taxpaying obligations entirely. (Though you are still required to file a US Federal Tax Return even if you don’t owe anything.)

Get Expert Help with Your Expat Tax Return

We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of how Switzerland’s tax policies impact US expats. If you’d like to learn more, though, our team of tax experts are here to help.

At Greenback Expat Tax Services, we’ve spent years helping expats optimize their financial strategies and file their taxes accurately and on time. Just contact us, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have, including regarding living in Zurich as an American.

Click here to get started on your expat taxes today.