Filling In Your Swiss Tax Return: A Practical Guide
Documents, deadlines, deductions people forget and what to do if you disagree with the assessment.
6 min read · Salary & Tax
Most residents file a tax return every year. Preparing early makes it painless.
Gather your documents
- Salary certificate (Lohnausweis) from each employer.
- Bank and securities statements as of 31 December, including foreign accounts.
- Statements for pillar 3a and pension fund buy-ins.
- Mortgage interest statements and property documents.
- Receipts for medical costs, childcare, donations and professional expenses.
- Deductible amountCHF 3’300 · 85 %
- Non-deductible portionCHF 560 · 15 %
Example with default values. Open the calculator →
Deadlines
The usual deadline is 31 March of the following year, but extensions are easy to request online, often until autumn. Late filing without an extension can result in a fine or an estimated assessment.
Deductions people forget
- Commuting and meals away from home.
- Further education and job-related training costs.
- Childcare costs and the deduction for dual-income couples.
- Interest on debts and alimony payments.
- Medical costs above the threshold.
After you file
You receive an assessment. If you disagree, you have a short period, normally 30 days, to file an objection. Pay provisional bills on time even if you expect a refund, to avoid interest.
Estimate the effect of common deductions with the commuting deduction calculator.