About 13,000 companies are not listed in the commercial register – a serious problem, notes the Swiss Federal Audit Office. Increased cooperation with the tax authorities could be a solution.
The report found that in addition to the unregistered firms, other company entries had not been updated in decades.
“In certain cantons there are listings that haven’t changed since the 19th century. That cannot be,” Michel Huissoud of the audit office told Swiss public television, SRFExternal link.
At the start of the year, there were nearly 630,000 entries listed in the trade register; now, some 13,000 firms or associations are missing.
As SRF reported on Thursday, the Federal Office of the Commercial Register struggles to enforce the applicable laws. “It’s just not that easy to chase after all of these companies,” office director Nicholas Turin told SRF. However, many of these could be independent contractors who don’t know that they need to register as soon as they have an annual turnover of more than CHF100,000 ($100,692).
The Swiss branch of the NGO Transparency InternationalExternal link is calling on the federal authorities to create an “effective and independent” anti-corruption body.
“A federal agency that effectively combats corruption needs a comprehensive mandate from the government and the necessary resources, which the Federal Council has unfortunately failed to provide,” said Transparency International Switzerland President Eric Martin in a statement released in responseExternal link to the audit office’s report.
In its evaluation, the Swiss Federal Audit OfficeExternal link noted that a new model is essential. In addition, more cooperation with the cantonal tax authorities could help flag up firms failing to comply with the law.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
This content was published on
Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
This content was published on
One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Offshore havens challenge Switzerland for swelling ICO funds
This content was published on
Blockchain start-ups obtained some $13.7 billion (CHF13.6 billion) in ICO capital until the end of May this year, according to a report by audit firm PwC and the Zug-based Crypto Valley Association. This is nearly double the total of all other funds raised until the start of this year. Companies raise start-up capital through this…
Will the thousand-franc note become the cash of choice for crooks?
This content was published on
A proposal that would see the Swiss 1000-franc note become valid for life has angered transparency advocates and the political left.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.