ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivier Weber graduated from the University of Berne, qualified as an attorney-at-law and was admitted to the Bar. He started his tax advisor career within a big 4 accounting firm where he obtained his diploma as Swiss certified tax expert in 2002. 2010 he joined KENDRIS Ltd. as partner and shortly after was promoted Head of Tax. He serves as member of the board of director of KENDRIS and some selected active companies-. He consults individuals and corporates with a focus on national and international taxation, negotiations with tax authorities, appeal proceedings as well as succession planning, including financing concepts and refinancings. Olivier Weber regulary lectures on tax topics and is president of the examination commission for Swiss certified tax experts.

What I wanted to ask
Individual Taxation: What Should Married Couples Do Now?
We spoke to our tax expert, Oliver Weber, and asked him what married couples and business owners should take into account now.

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Switzerland’s planned introduction of individual taxation will significantly change the taxation of married couples. From 2032 at the latest, each spouse’s income and assets will generally be assessed and taxed separately.

A key consideration will be asset ownership. Real estate, securities, and bank balances will generally be attributed to their legal owners, while jointly held accounts and debts will typically be divided between the account holders. The legal ownership structure will therefore become increasingly important.

Retirement planning will also gain importance. Pension fund and Pillar 3a withdrawals will be taxed individually, providing spouses with greater flexibility. Pension fund buy-ins should be planned carefully, as the deduction generally benefits only the spouse making the contribution.

Couples should review their income, assets, debts and retirement strategy early on. In particular, assets should not be transferred between spouses without first considering the tax and legal consequences.

Whether individual taxation ultimately leads to savings or a higher tax burden will depend on each couple’s circumstances. Early professional advice can help identify the potential impact and opportunities.