Switzerland has agreed with France that cross-border workers should be taxed as normal despite being unable to physically go to work. Similar deals with other neighbouring countries are expected to be inked soon.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Some 330,000 people work in Switzerland while living in neighbouring countries – a number that has increased by just under 40,000 in the last five years. Some 55% of these cross-border workers live in France.
The State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) said that it recognizes that border restrictions, plus other lockdown measures, have made it impossible for some cross-border workers to enter Switzerland in recent weeks.
On paper, this could compromise long-standing arrangements about which country taxes such individuals and that protect people from being taxed twice – in both their country of residence and work.
On Thursday, Switzerland announced that it had entered into a preliminary agreement with France to allow existing tax agreements to stand despite workers being unable to cross borders. So cross-border commuters who have been forced to work from home will be taxed as if they are able to physically go to their normal place of work.
The mutual understanding has been backdated to March 14 and will last until the end of this month – after which it could be extended. SIF says the French deal, which covers 180,000 workers, is expected to be replicated with other neighbouring countries.
More
More
Swiss to re-open borders with neighbouring countries
This content was published on
Switzerland plans to re-open its borders with Germany, France and Austria as part of a gradual loosening of curbs over the coronavirus pandemic.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss to re-open borders with neighbouring countries
This content was published on
Switzerland plans to re-open its borders with Germany, France and Austria as part of a gradual loosening of curbs over the coronavirus pandemic.
This content was published on
On June 15 Switzerland re-opened its borders with many other European states after improvements to the coronavirus situation.
This content was published on
May 11 marks the start of the second phase of a plan to restore normality to life in Switzerland. Many schools will resume teaching, shops and restaurants will be allowed to re-open, public transport will go back to normal service and restrictions on entry to the country will be eased. From Monday border crossings will…
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.