Switzerland Fact-File Part 2:
Individual Business Domestic Taxation
2.11 Switzerland Individual Business Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Capital Gains Tax
For companies, there is no specific Capital
Gains Tax (CGT) at federal level. Gains on the sale of assets
are taxed as ordinary income and it doesn’t matter how
long the assets have been held.
CGT can be payable by individuals on profits made from the
sale of Swiss real estate, but is only applied at cantonal
level, and the rules vary considerably. This tax is known
as Immovable Property Gains Tax. The rate of tax is dependent
on the length of time the property has been owned and in which
canton it is located. The general rule is the shorter the
period of ownership, the higher the CGT liability. Some cantons
have abolished the tax on real estate, but where it is still
levied, rates vary between 0.8% and 3.3%.
CGT is not levied at federal or cantonal levels on the proceeds
from the sale of movable private assets such as paintings
and securities, and generally speaking, there is no CGT on
stocks and bonds.
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