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Inheritance tax: do the super-rich already contribute enough?

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I work as editor and correspondent at the Federal Palace. I report on Swiss politics for the Swiss Abroad and manage our political talk show Let's Talk. I started in local journalism in the early nineties and have worked in many journalistic fields, held management positions and covered a range of topics. I joined SWI swissinfo.ch in 2017.

On November 30, Switzerland will vote on an initiative proposing an inheritance tax hike. Is it logical to demand to “tax the rich” in an era marked by a new super-wealthy class? Do multimillionaires already contribute enough to society through their companies?

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jghswiss
jghswiss

The Swiss abroad care more about climate change; very sad.

Marcapo
Marcapo
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Inheriting wealth so that the company can continue to exist makes economic sense and should not be taxed so heavily, or even at all in the case of demonstrable commitment to citizens, as this (like taxes) is in the public interest. The fact that the super-rich keep the Swiss luxury economy going through their consumption is of no interest to SMEs (99%) or their staff. If the few billionaires who even have 50 million to bequeath threaten to leave Switzerland, they also have no ties to the country, in other words: they simply don't care about their fellow citizens - outside their circles. This is not how community works.

Vermögen vererben, damit die Firma weiter existieren kann, ist wirtschaftlich sinnvoll und sollte nicht so hoch besteuert werden, im Fall von beweisbarem Engagement für die Bürger sogar überhaupt nicht, da dies (wie Steuern) gemeinnützig ist. Dass Superreiche durch ihren Konsum eine schweizerische Luxuswirtschaft in Gang halten, interessiert weder die KMU (99%) noch deren Personal. Wenn die paar Milliardäre, die überhaupt 50 Millionen zu vererben haben, drohen, die Schweiz zu verlassen, haben sie auch keine Bindung ans Land, mit andern Worten: ihre Mitbürger - ausserhalb ihrer Kreise - sind ihnen schlicht egal. So geht Gemeinschaft nicht.

jussi
jussi
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Would very rich people actually have to sell their companies? Hardly. Almost all large companies are listed on the stock exchange. So if, for example, Mr Blocher, with a fortune of around 15 billion, had to give half of this back to the state thanks to excellent framework conditions, he could do so by having financially strong institutions (pension funds, banks, etc.) buy these shares. The wealth would then be distributed to more people and the state could use the additional taxes for the welfare of all citizens

Müssten sehr Reiche Menschen tatsächlich Ihre Firmen verkaufen? Kaum. Fast alle grossen Firmen sind an der Börse. Wenn also z.B. Herr Blocher mit einem Vermögen von rund 15 Milliarden je die Hälfte dieses auch dank hervorragender Rahmenbedingungen wieder an den Staat zurück geben müsste, so kann er das tun, indem finanzstarke Institutionen (Pensionskassen, Banken…) diese Aktien kaufen. Der Reichtum wäre so an mehr Menschen verteilt und der Staat könnte die zusätzlichen Steuern für die Wohlfahrt aller Bürger einsetzen

ddp
ddp
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Taxing the super-rich: a real dilemma for Switzerland__Before talking about new taxes on the ultra-rich, we need to assess their real economic role in our country. The ultra-rich don't just accumulate fortunes: they fuel a circular economy that sustains many sectors.____Luxury consumption: top-of-the-range cars, prestigious real estate, hotels, restaurants, spas, private clinics.____Ripple effect: behind every expenditure, there are jobs, businesses and suppliers that depend on this clientele.____Risk of tax exile: if the pressure becomes too great, a super-rich person may transfer his or her residence and fortune abroad (to Singapore, Dubai, Monaco, Gibraltar, etc.), depriving Switzerland of tax revenue and investment.____Meanwhile, the average worker remains heavily taxed. Yet every franc spent by the middle class feeds directly into the local economy and growth. The more we consume, the more we keep shops and services running, and the less we should be penalised.____Conclusion: before deciding to tax the super-rich more, we need to accurately measure the impact of their spending on the Swiss economy and strike a balance. Taxation must be fair, but also intelligent, to avoid undermining entire sectors and to recognise the essential role of household consumption in national prosperity.____ This principle should also apply to the working classes: the more you spend and participate in the real economy, the less you should be taxed.

Taxer les super riches : un vrai dilemme pour la Suisse__Avant de parler de nouvelles taxes sur les plus fortunés, il faut évaluer leur rôle économique réel dans notre pays. Les ultra riches ne se contentent pas d’accumuler des fortunes : ils alimentent une économie circulaire qui fait vivre de nombreux secteurs.____Consommation de luxe : voitures haut de gamme, immobilier de prestige, hôtels, restaurants, spas, cliniques privées.____Effet d’entraînement : derrière chaque dépense, il y a des emplois, des entreprises et des fournisseurs qui dépendent de cette clientèle.____Risque d’exil fiscal : si la pression devient trop forte, un super-riche peut transférer sa résidence et sa fortune à l’étranger (Singapour, Dubaï, Monaco, Gibraltar, etc.), privant la Suisse de recettes fiscales et d’investissements.____Pendant ce temps, les travailleurs moyens restent fortement taxés. Pourtant, chaque franc dépensé par la classe moyenne nourrit directement l’économie locale et la croissance. Plus nous consommons, plus nous faisons tourner les commerces et les services, et moins nous devrions être pénalisés.____Conclusion : avant de décider de taxer davantage les super-riches, il faut mesurer précisément l’impact de leurs dépenses sur l’économie suisse et trouver un équilibre. La fiscalité doit être juste, mais aussi intelligente, pour éviter de fragiliser des secteurs entiers et pour reconnaître le rôle essentiel de la consommation des ménages dans la prospérité nationale.____ Ce principe devrait aussi s’appliquer aux classes populaires : plus vous dépensez et participez à l’économie réelle, moins vous devriez être imposés.

rkaeser
rkaeser
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@ddp

The majority of inherited wealth is passed on from 90-year-olds to their 60-year-old "children". These assets are parked somewhere in property or other assets with no connection to the real economy and contribute to rents and property prices going through the roof. This makes no sense and destroys the domestic economy. These assets must be re-socialised for the benefit of society and the economy. That is why the JUDO initiative is the right approach.

Der grösste Teil der vererbten Vermögen werden von den 90Jährigen an ihre 60jährigen "Kinder" vererbt. Diese Vermögen sind irgendwo in Immobilien oder andere Vermögenswerte parkiert ohne Bezug zur realen Wirtschaft und tragen dazu bei, dass die Mieten und die Immobilienpreise durch die Decke gehen. Das macht keinen Sinn und macht die Binnenwirtschaft kaputt. Diese Vermögen müssen resozialisiert werden, zum Nutzen von Gesellschaft und Wirtschaft. Deshalb ist die JUDO-Initiative der richtige Ansatz.

Bost
Bost
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Not good enough ____PS__because we're not ultra-rich

Insuffisant ____PS__puisque nous ne sommes pas des ultra riches

Pibus81
Pibus81
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Inheritance taxes were abolished by the cantons because of the concrete ideology and lying propaganda of the extreme right-wing bourgeoisie and because of the harmful, counterproductive effect of tax competition. However, there can be no real competition, as this is a public service that does not represent a market, as there can be no balanced relationship between supply and demand - the basic prerequisite for the existence of a market. The same applies to the property business, where there is also no real market due to unbridled or inadequately regulated capitalism, which is extremely pronounced in Europe and even worse in the USA. An inheritance tax is the least noticeable tax and is therefore almost entirely appropriate. The only condition: succession in family businesses must not be hindered, which theJuso initiative does not do, as it only takes effect from CHF 50 million. This means that family businesses are exempt because in 98% of cases they do not even reach the CHF 50 million threshold. The third main reason in favour of an inheritance tax is that in recent years and decades the distribution of wealth in Switzerland has shifted more strongly than anywhere else in Western countries towards the rich and super-rich at the expense of the lower middle class and the destitute. The Lorenz curve is therefore rising exponentially again. And because of their concrete ideology, the extreme right-wing bourgeoisie continue to stubbornly, persistently and unwillingly refuse to ensure an equalisation by introducing a capital gains tax long ago and imposing higher taxes on high assets. __Pius A. Dudler, 3007 Berne

Die Erbschaftssteuern wurden von den Kantonen wegen der Betonideologie u der Lügenpropaganda der Extremrechtsbürgerlichen sowie wegen des schädlichen, kontraproduktiv wirkenden Steuerwettbewerbs abgeschafft. Dabei kann es da gar keinen echten Wettbewerb geben, da es sich um einen Service public handelt, der gar keinen Markt darstellt, da es ja gar kein ausgewogenes Verhältnis zwischen Angrbot u Nachfrage - Grundvoraussetzung für das Vorhandensein eines Marktes - geben kann. Dasselbe gilt für das Immobiliengeschäft, bei dem wegen des ungezügelten bzw. ungenügend regulierten Kapitalismus ebenfalls kein echter Markt vorhanden ist, extrem ausgeprägt in Europa u noch ärger in den USA. Eine Erbschaftssteuer ist die am wenigsten spürbare Steuer u deshalb fast uneingeschränkt angezeigt. Einzige Bedingung: die Nachfolge in Familienbetrieben darf nicht behindert werden, was dieJuso-Initiative ja auch nicht macht, da sie erst ab 50 Mio. Franken wirksam wird. Damit sind die Familienbetriebe dsvon ausgenommen, weil sie in 98 % der Fälle die Summe von 50 Mio. Fr. gar nicht erreichen. Als 3. Hauptgrund für eine Erbschaftssteuer ist anzuführen, dass sich die Vermögensverteilung in der Schweiz in den letzten Jahren u Jahrzehnten so stark wie sonst nirgendwo in den westlichen Ländern zulasten des unteren Mittelstandes u der Mittellosen hin zu den Reichen u Superreichen verschiebt. Die Lorenzkurve steigt also wieder exponentiell stärker an. U die Extremrechtsbürgerlichen weigern sich wegen ihrer Betonideologie nach wie vor stur, beharrlich u uneinsichtig, für einen Ausgleich zu sorgen, indem schon längst eine Kapitalgewinn-Steuer eingeführt werden sowie eine stärkere Besteuerung der hohen Vermögen verfügt werden müsste. __Pius A. Dudler, 3007 Bern

dieterliechti@hispeed.ch
dieterliechti@hispeed.ch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Fact 1: Someone who belongs to the richest one per cent of the population emits twenty times more carbon dioxide than someone on a low income, and the trend is rising. Fact 2: The sum of all inherited wealth in Switzerland will break the 100 billion mark this year. This amount has increased more than fivefold since 1990, and the trend is still rising. Fact 3: Countless philosophers, economists, politicians and billionaires themselves who have commented on the subject of "liberalism and large inheritances" over the last 250 years and up to the present day agree that the inheritance of large fortunes undermines democratic-liberal ideals. In the USA, the moneyed aristocracy has already largely taken over power.__ Fact 4: The population of our country has created the conditions for these great fortunes to be created in the first place: A perfect infrastructure, an education system accessible to broad sections of the population that generates a skilled labour force, a political system that enables participation and stability - you could also say: a Switzerland for the wealthy. So it's time to make the winners pay. __Fact 5: I can't help but vote in favour of the Juso initiative for a fair future. I am not impressed by the threat of some of the super-rich to move abroad if this inheritance tax bill is accepted. Gratitude and humility are more appropriate.

Fakt 1: Jemand, der zum reichsten Prozent der Bevölkerung gehört, stösst zwanzigmal mehr Kohlendioxid aus als ein Angehöriger mit niedrigem Einkommen, Tendenz steigend. __Fakt 2: Die Summe aller in der Schweiz vererbten Vermögen wird dieses Jahr die Summe von 100 Milliarden knacken. Dieser Betrag ist seit 1990 um mehr als das Fünffache gewachsen, Tendenz weiterhin steigend. __Fakt 3: Unzählige Philosophen, Ökonomen, Politiker und selbst betroffene Milliardäre, die sich zur Thematik «Liberalismus und grosse Erbschaften» im Laufe der letzten 250 Jahre und bis heute äusserten, sind sich einig: Die Vererbung grosser Vermögen höhlt demokratisch-liberale Ideale aus. In den USA hat der Geldadel die Macht bereits weitgehend übernommen.__ Fakt 4: Die Bevölkerung unseres Landes hat die Voraussetzungen dafür geschaffen, dass diese grossen Vermögen überhaupt entstehen konnten: Eine perfekte Infrastruktur, ein breiten Schichten zugängliches Bildungsangebot, das qualifizierte Arbeitskräfte generiert, ein politisches System, das Mitsprache und Stabilität ermöglicht, man könnte auch sagen: Eine Schweiz für die Wohlhabenden. Zeit also, die Gewinner zur Kasse zu bitten. __Fakt 5: Ich kann gar nicht anders, als der Juso-Initiative für eine gerechte Zukunft zuzustimmen. Die Drohung einiger Superreichen, sich bei Annahme dieser Erbschaftssteuervorlage ins Ausland abzusetzen, beeindruckt mich nicht. Angebracht sind Dankbarkeit und Demut.

Bost
Bost
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@dieterliechti@hispeed.ch

thank you for this structured plea, which is in line with our point of view ____Solidarité citoyenne

merci pour ce plaidoyer structuré qui rejoint notre point de vue ____Solidarité citoyenne

JGR
JGR

Many countries around the world actively try and attract UHNW individuals. Why? Because they bring capital, create jobs, spend money on services and good which create jobs and support industries. The economics of the proposal fall flat in my opinion. ____The JUSO calculation seems to have no basis, and differs greatly from projections by actual economists and specialists in the field. Additionally, there have been other oversights such as philanthropy - UHNW individuals also donate over 1B chf per year. It also fails to address the estates which were earmarked for donation. There is no continuum, meaning that this will likely be a once off for many estates rather than a sustained collection for perpetuity. There is more emotion than details, and no information about how the money will be used. Who administrates this? How will the spent benefit Switzerland, and its people? How do we ensure half the money doesnt go to printing flyers, or paying for Gretas next floatilla. Who determines what the priorities are? JUSO provides no information or analysis about UHNW flight, the results of this nor how it would plan to combat it. ____I am naturalised Swiss, coming from a developing country and scratch my head as to why some people want to kill the golden goose. This seems like moral nihilism - when people feel meaninglessness but cannot face it, they cling to substitutes and latch onto causes—but in ways that sometimes create drama, problems, or enemies, giving them a sense of being a savior. Instead of aiming for actual meaningful results or methods, this type of activism becomes a way to display moral purity or personal virtue signalling. This proposal seems like performative activism and moral narcissism. Tax the rich is a slogan, not a solution.

Bost
Bost
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@JGR

1% or more for the benefit of all, __what is that for billionaires?__Let's be fair,__Respect for their fortune__Thank you for living with us__We assure you of legal, physical, environmental__and even friendly security.____Health and prosperity

1% ou plus au profit de tous, __qu'est ce que c'est pour des milliardaires ?__Soyons équitable,__Respect pour leur fortune__Merci d'habiter chez nous__Nous vous assurons la sécurité juridique , physique , environnementale__et même amicale .____Santé et prospérité

Jorg Hiker
Jorg Hiker

Image that Switzerland is attractive for the rich by itself is 30 years outdated. Swiss stability was destroyed by referendums like: lets deport foreigners or lets steal half the money of the rich. Quality of life was destroyed by not building or modernizing for decades, with narrow highways, slow trams, outdated public buildings resembling props in an historical movie... People on this forum see first hand how far the world overtook Switzerland! Switzerland faces years of fast reform, removing regulations, and building infrastructure to catch up with Dubai and best places to live today. Swiss have money, organization and everything objectively needed, only don't acknowledge the reality.

jepyerly@websud.ch
jepyerly@websud.ch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Large, export-oriented, family-run industrial companies must have substantial financial resources for research, production and sales. If the financial resources of a few companies are too much in excess of what is required to guarantee overall financing, then the consumer is paying too much for these companies' products. In these cases, as in too many others, the Price Control Office shows all its weaknesses, apart from the excessive salaries of those in charge and the very high operating costs, for very poor results. If the State wants to fill its coffers with additional taxes, it is still, as always, the middle class that will pay.

Les entreprises industrielle familiales , exportatrices et de taille supérieure, doivent avoir des moyens financiers importants, pour la recherches, la production et la vente . __Si les moyens financiers de quelques entreprises sont trop au dessus des exigences , pour garantir l'ensemble du financement, c'est que le consommateur paie trop cher le produit de ces entreprises. Dans ces cas, comme dans trop d'autres, l'Office de contrôle des prix montre toute sa faiblesse , excepté les salaires trop élevés des responsables et les coûts très élevés de fonctionnement , pour des résultats très faibles . Si l'Etat veut remplir ses caisses en y mettant des impôts supplémentaires, c'est encore et comme toujours, la classe moyenne qui va payer.

Christian Rogner
Christian Rogner
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Interesting idea, but one must not forget that there are dozens of ways to avoid these taxes, and legally at that.__And by the way, legal for everyone, not just the rich!__Family trusts are just one example.____Envious hotheads have always tried to make the public believe that all rich people are exploiters. I remember the initiative "Mitarbeiten mitbestimmen" and even then, decades ago, everyone wanted to have a say, but no one wanted to share the risk.____It is correctly mentioned that there will most likely be a deduction of some of the wealthy taxpayers and thus their other taxes will no longer accrue and thus not be available to the public.____In addition, in my opinion, an inheritance tax is like a confiscation __but that's another topic______ The favoured branch in the USA with a one-off investment is just one example of where these taxpayers would move to. That makes sense, after all, the Young Socialists are certainly big fans of Donald Trump....____If accepted, it will backfire!!!

Interessante Idee, man darf jedoch nicht vergessen, dass es Dutzende von Wegen gibt, diese Steuern zu umgehen und zwar legal.__Und übrigens, legal für alle, nicht nur für die Reichen!__Familien Stiftungen sind nur ein Beispiel.____Neidische Hitzköpfe haben schon immer versucht, dem Publikum wahrzumachen, dass alle Reichen Ausbeuter sind. Ich erinnere mich an die Initiative „mitarbeiten mitbestimmen“ und schon damals vor Jahrzehnten wollten alle mitbestimmen, aber keiner wollte das Risiko mittragen.____Es wird korrekt erwähnt, dass höchstwahrscheinlich ein Abzug eines Teils der vermögenden Steuerzahler stattfinden wird und damit auch deren andere Steuern nicht mehr anfallen und somit nicht für die Öffentlichkeit verfügbar sind.____Zudem gleicht nach meiner Meinung eine Erbschaftssteuer eine Beschlagnahmung.__Aber das ist ein anderes Thema______Die begünstigte Niederlassung in den USA mit einer Einmal-Investition ist nur ein Beispiel, wohin diese Steuerzahler abziehen würden. Das macht ja Sinn, schliesslich sind die Jung Sozialisten bestimmt grosse Fans von Donald Trump….____Falls angenommen geht der Schuss hinten raus!!

Jorg Hiker
Jorg Hiker

Most people overlooked 1/2 of the problem: how exactly the new tax would be managed? Naïve people talk as if money will automatically appear in their private pockets. Not. Money will give more power to the bureaucrats, especially these who think it is OK to take money from others. Scary, isn't it? There is no details how the money on 'fighting climate' will be spent - maybe on subsidies to big corporations who will do the fighting? There is a silence about verifying the money will be efficiently spend - the climate is not something any citizen can easily measure himself. Selling climate protection is surprisingly like selling protection from black magic in Africa.

ValThoGE
ValThoGE
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

We're talking about a 50% contribution from people with more than CHF 50 million... Is that the majority of us? No. It's crazy that we're being led to believe that this is an injustice when it will have no impact on almost all of us.

Nous discutons là d'une contribution de 50% aux personnes possédant plus de 50 millions de CHF... __Est-ce la majorité d'entre nous ? Non. __C'est fou qu'on nous fasse croire à une injustice alors que cela n'aura d'impact sur quasiment aucun d'entre nous.

Jorg Hiker
Jorg Hiker
@ValThoGE

I am not sure what is your point - that if something does not affect you, it is not injustice

Jorg Hiker
Jorg Hiker

What really needs to be changed are laws which favour interests of companies and very rich. Costs and risks are disproportionately shifted to individuals, small companies and the state. Last week example: Amazon AWS services stopped thousands of services worldwide. The inconvenience and cost went to individuals, smaller companies and government services. But the monopolist giant Amazon will not pay a cent for damages. Very one-sided relationship which disproportionately favors one of wealthiest corporations. Direct taxes on the rich are second best solution. Taxes are often spent inefficiently - sometimes even on helping the rich! And, of course, the rich avoid taxes.

Think Deeper
Think Deeper
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Higher progressive income tax based on economic performance without a cap and abolition of flat-rate taxation. Higher tax on profits earmarked for social welfare, even turnover tax could be said in favour of this. Higher wealth tax from 2 million assets, below that none, incl. consideration of 2a,3a and residential property could be discussed.____ Inheritance tax is a multiple no-go, despite the exemption limit__1. Attack on the testator's right to self-determination.____2. Attack on entrepreneurship and taxation of book values.____3. Dissolution/disposal and/or debt financing of companies in the event of inheritance.____4. Increased pressure to finance companies unsoundly with borrowed capital instead of equity capital in order to avoid taxation.____5. Relocation of entrepreneurs/companies.____6. When a company is liquidated in the event of inheritance, profit tax is levied on the capital anyway.____7. The equity capital of companies is already subject to capital tax. Profits are subject to profit tax.____8. Anyone who owns real estate etc. usually has a legal entity, so that maintenance work can be claimed. Private investors can follow suit or move their place of residence abroad.____9. Taxation does not solve any of the home-made problems. When we reach the age of 90 and have worked productively for 45 years, every second franc must be invested in a pension scheme in order to enjoy the same standard of living and the corresponding capital must be accumulated. __This is the reality that has been neglected for decades!__The operational state expenditure on the top.____10. If we tax invested capital away in the event of inheritance, nobody will want to invest or be entrepreneurially active, or move away.

Höhere Progressive Einkommenssteuer auf Grund der wirtschaftlichen Leistungsfähigkeit ohne Plafonierung und Abschaffung der Pauschalbesteuerung. Höhere Gewinnsteuer zweckgebunden in die Sozialwerke, ja sogar Umsatzsteuer dazu kann man ja sagen. Höhere Vermögensteuer ab 2 Mio Vermögen, darunter keine, inkl Berücksichtigung 2a,3a und Wohneigentum könnte man diskutieren.____Die Erbschaftssteuer ist aber ein mehrfaches No Go.__Trotz der Freigrenze__1. Angriff auf das Selbstbestimmungsrecht des Erblasser.____2. Angriff auf das Unternehmertum und Besteuerung von Buchwerten.____3. Auflösung / Veräusserung und oder Fremdfinanzierung von Unternehmen im Erbfall.____4. Vermehrter Druck Unternehmen unsolide mit Fremdkapital zu finanzieren statt Eigenkapital, um wegbesteuerung zu vermeiden.____5. Wegzug der Unternehmer / Unternehmung.____6. Bei Liquidierung einer Firma im Erbfall erfolgt sowieso die Abschöpfung der Gewinnsteuer auf das Kapital.____7. Das Eigenkapital von Unternehmen unterliegt bereits einer Kapitalsteuer. Die Gewinne der Gewinnsteueuer.____8. Wer Immobilien usw. hält hat meistens eine juristische Person, Tendenz wir zunehme, damit Unterhaltsarbeiten geltend gemacht werden können. Private Investore können nachziehen oder Wohnsitz ins Ausland verlegen.____9. Die Besteuerung löst kein einziges der Hausgemachten Problemen. Wenn wir 90 Jahre Alt werden und 45 Jahre produktiv Arbeiten sind muss jeder 2te Franke in die Altersvorsorge um den gleichen Standart zu geniessen und entsprechen Kapital geäuffnet werden. __Das ist die Jahrzehntelang vernachlässigte Realitat!!__Die operative Staatsausagaben on the Top.____10. Besteuern wir im Erbfall Investiertes Kapital weg, wird niemand mehr investieren wollen oder Unternehmerisch tätig sein., bzw, wegziehen.

Mic
Mic
@Think Deeper

Couldn't agree more. Has not only thought deeper, but thought through.

Werner F.
Werner F.
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Allegedly, the rich pay more tax as a percentage due to tax progression. There is a whole tax avoidance "industry" to prevent this. Who has never heard of tax havens, specialised law firms and banks, etc.? In reality, they pay significantly less tax in percentage terms. The threat of high taxes makes the effort worthwhile for them.

Angeblich zahlen Reiche wegen der Steuerprogression prozentual mehr Steuern. Um das zu verhindern gibt es eine ganze Steuervermeidungs-„Industrie“. Wer hat denn noch nie von Steuerparadiesen, spezialisierten Anwaltsbüros und Banken usw. gehört? In Wirklichkeit zahlen sie prozentual deutlich weniger Steuern. Wegen der drohenden hohen Steuern lohnt sich der Aufwand für sie.

Saulus
Saulus
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Werner F.

So Werner is against inheritance tax because it doesn't help anyway (except for the tax avoidance industry).

Dann ist der Werner also gegen Erbschaftsteuern, weil das ohnehin nichts bringt (ausser für die Steuervermeidungsindutrie).

Bruegger
Bruegger
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

The wealthy Swiss benefit from the results of the country's taxes, roads to drive on, police to watch over them, ambulances for strokes and the like, schools, hospitals that are among the best in the world, banks - why would they go elsewhere? They know as well as anyone that the last suit has no pockets, and that for as long as they live, their pockets are safe in Switzerland. What's more, the Swiss have a strong sense of national pride in their country and its values, and are inclined to serve their community, their land, their canton and their country.

Les riches suisses bénéficient des résultats des impôts du pays, routes pour conduire des porches, polices pour les surveiller, ambulances pour les avc ait et autres, écoles, hôpitaux parmis les meilleurs du monde, banques, pourquoi iraient ils ailleurs? Il savent comme tout le monde que le dernier costume n’a pas de poches, et que de leur vivant, les poches sont sûres en suisse.__De plus le sentiment national en suisse est développé, fier.es de leur pays et de leurs valeurs, les suisses sont enclins a servir leur commune, leur terroir, leur canton et leur pays.

Bruegger
Bruegger
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

The wealthy Swiss benefit from the results of the country's taxes, roads to drive porches, police to keep an eye on them, ambulances for strokes and the like, schools, the best hospitals in the world, why would they go elsewhere? They know as well as anyone that the latest suit has no pockets.

Les riches suisse bénéficient des résultats des impôts du pays, route pour conduire des porches, polices pour les surveiller, ambulances pour les avc ait et autres, écoles, hôpitaux paris les meilleurs du monde, pourquoi iraient ils ailleurs? Il savent comme tout le monde que le dernier costume n’a pas de poches.

LynxVegas
LynxVegas

Do the rich pay enough of any tax? No. The top 1% could fund 99% of our needs and still have plenty of money left over for a very good life. I once worked out I pay more, percentage-wise, as a renter, than someone who owns at least one home. I'd love to buy my own place, but these are way too expensive. Some new-builds near me, same size as what I rent, cost CHF 1.5m each. The rent will be more than double what I pay now. So, the owner's children should pay more inheritance tax.

Think Deeper
Think Deeper
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@LynxVegas

The richest have above all book values, which are then no longer there in a serious case.

Die reichste haben vorallem Buchwerte, die im ernstfall dann nicht mehr da sind.

Paul_Hiking_Happiness
Paul_Hiking_Happiness

How much tax revenue would this generate and what % would that be per total tax revenue? How would this tax revenue be managed to ensure that there is no fraud in It’s usage

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR