Switzerland

This chapter includes data on the income taxes paid by workers, their social security contributions, the family benefits they receive in the form of cash transfers as well as the social security contributions and payroll taxes paid by their employers. Results reported include the marginal and average tax burden for eight different family types.

Methodological information is available for personal income tax systems, compulsory social security contributions to schemes operated within the government sector, universal cash transfers as well as recent changes in the tax/benefit system. The methodology also includes the parameter values and tax equations underlying the data.

The national currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). In 2017, CHF 0.98 equalled USD 1. The Secretariat has estimated that in that same year the average worker earned CHF 86 042 (Secretariat estimate).

Cantonal and communal income taxes are very substantial in relation to direct federal tax. Here, the canton and commune of Zurich have been selected as an example of the tax system of the 26 cantons. Local income tax is not deductible when calculating federal income tax.

1. Personal income tax systems

1.1. Income tax collected by the federal government (Confederation)

1.1.1. Tax unit

The income of spouses living together is taxed jointly, regardless of the property regime under which they were married. Income of children living under parental authority is added to the income of their custodian. Children’s labour income is taxed separately and in some cases, as in Zurich, is exempt from tax.

1.1.2. Tax reliefs and tax credits

1.1.2.1. Standard reliefs for “postnumerando” taxation [i.e. annual taxation on the basis of actual earned income, assessed at the end of the year]

Basic deduction
There is a basic deduction of CHF 2 600 for married couples for direct federal tax.
Deduction for children

A CHF 6 500 deduction is allowed for each child under 18 years of age; the deduction is allowed for older children if they are apprentices or still in school.

Tax credit for children

A CHF 251 deduction from the tax liability is allowed for each child under 18 years, the deduction is allowed for older children if they are apprentices or still in school.

Deductions for social insurance contributions and other taxes

Premiums for old age and disability insurance (5.125% of gross earned income) and for unemployment insurance (1.1% for income up to CHF 148 200, 0.5% for income over CHF 148 200) are deductible in full. Compulsory contributions of approximately 7.82% to private pension funds are also fully deductible. Health and life insurance premiums are deductible from federal income tax up to CHF 3 500 for married persons and CHF 1 700 for taxpayers who are widow(er)s, divorced or single (such premiums are not considered social contributions). These amounts are increased by CHF 700 for each dependent child.

Work-related expenses

Taxpayers are allowed a deduction corresponding to 3% of net income (i.e. gross income less contributions for old age and disability insurance, unemployment insurance and work-related provident funds). This deduction may be no less than CHF 2 000 and no more than CHF 4 000.

Deduction for two-income couples

50% of the smaller income can be deducted, but no less than CHF 8 100 and no more than CHF 13 400.

1.1.2.2. Main non-standard reliefs available to the average worker

Interest payments on qualifying loans

This is the main non-standard relief available to the average worker. It is allowed for all sorts of loans.

Medical expenses

Expenses incurred as a result of illness, accidents or disability of the taxpayer or one of its dependants are deductible if the taxpayer bears the expenses personally and they exceed 5% of his or her net income.

1.1.3. Tax base

Allowable deductions from gross income	Single taxpayer (CHF)	Married taxpayer, 2 children (CHF)
Work-related expenses1	2 000-4 000	2 000-4 000
Personal deduction	-	2 600
Deduction for 2 dependent children	-	13 000 (6 500*2)
Social contributions
Old age insurance	5.125%	5.125%
Unemployment insurance	1.1%2	1.1%2
Pension fund	7.82%	7.82%
Maximum deductions for health insurance premiums and loan interest3	1 700 plus 700 per child	3 500 plus 700 per child
Deduction for two-income couples4		8 10013 400
← 1. 3% of net income, minimum CHF 2 000, maximum CHF 4 000.
← 2. 1.1% of income up to CHF 148 200; 0.5% of income beyond CHF 148 200.
← 3. For the purposes of this publication, taxpayers are assumed to always receive the relevant maximum deduction.
← 4. 50% of smaller income, minimum the lower of CHF 8 100 or adjusted smaller income, maximum CHF 13 400.

In addition, for the married taxpayer with 2 children, there is a tax credit for 2 dependent children amounting to CHF 502, thus reducing the tax liability by CHF 502.

1.1.4. Tax schedules

1.1.4.1. Rates for persons living alone

Taxable income (CHF)1	Base amount (CHF)	Plus % of the excess (CHF)
31 600 to 41 400	131.65	0.88	31 600
41 400 to 55 200	217.90	2.64	41 400
55 200 to 72 500	582.20	2.97	55 200
72 500 to 78 100	1 096.00	5.94	72 500
778 100 to 103 600	1 428.60	6.60	78 100
103 600 to 134 600	3 111.60	8.80	103 600
134 600 to 176 000	5 839.60	11.00	134 600
176 000 to 755 200	10 393.60	13.20	176 000
Over 755 2002	-	11.5 of total income
← 1. Fractions of less than CHF 100 are disregarded.
← 2. The calculation model disregards this part of the schedule.

1.1.4.2. Rates for spouses living together and for widowed, separated, divorced taxpayers or unmarried taxpayers living with their own children.

Taxable income (CHF)1	Base amount (CHF)	Plus % of the excess (CHF)
Up to 28 300	-	-	-
28 300 to 50 900		1	28 300
50 900 to 58 400	223	2	50 900
58 400 to 75 300	373	3	58 400
75 300 to 90 300	877	4	75 300
90 300 to 103 400	1 477	5	90 300
103 400 to 114 700	2 127	6	103 400
114 700 to 124 200	2 799	7	114 700
124 200 to 131 700	3 457	8	124 200
131 700 to 137 300	4 057	9	131 700
137 300 to 141 200	4 552	10	137 300
141 200 to 143 100	4 942	11	141 200
143 100 to 145 000	5 151	12	143 100
145 000 to 895 800	5 379	13	145 000
For 895 900	103 028.50
Over 895 9002	-	11.5 of total income
← 1. Fractions of less than CHF 100 are disregarded.
← 2. The calculation model disregards this part of the schedule.

1.2. Taxes levied by decentralised authorities (Canton and commune of Zurich)

1.2.1. General description of the system

The system of cantonal and communal taxation has the same features as that of direct federal tax.

The tax base is comprised of income from all sources.

Once the basic amount of tax is set, cantons, communes and churches levy their taxes by applying a multiple, which may change from year to year. In 2012, for example, the canton applied a multiple of 1.0, the commune of Zurich 1.19 and the reformed church 0.10. The basic amount of tax is therefore multiplied by a total of 2.29. However, following the decision no longer to include church tax in Revenue Statistics, it is no longer included in the calculations for Taxing Wages. The basic amount of tax is therefore multiplied by a total of 2.19.

1.2.2. Tax base

Allowable deductions from gross income	Single taxpayer (CHF)	Married taxpayer, 2 children (CHF)
Work-related expenses1	2 000-4 000	2 000-4 000
Personal deduction	-	-
Deduction for 2 dependent children	-	18 000 (9 000*2)
Social contributions
Old age insurance	5.125%	5.125%
Unemployment insurance	1.1%2	1.1%2
Pension fund	7.82%	7.82%
Maximum deductions for health insurance premiums and loan interest3	2 600 plus 1 300 per child	5 200 plus 1 300 per child
Deduction for two-income couples		5 900
← 1. 3% of net income, minimum CHF 2 000 CHF, maximum CHF 4 000.
← 2. 1.1% of income up to CHF 148 200; 0.5% of income beyond CHF 148 200.
← 3. For the purposes of this publication, taxpayers are assumed to always receive the relevant maximum deduction.

1.2.3. Postnumerando tax rates

Cantonal income tax (Zurich)

a) Basic income tax rates for married, divorced, widowed or single taxpayers living with children:

Taxable income (CHF)1	Base amount (CHF)	Plus % of the excess (CHF)
Up to 13 500	-	0	-
13 500 to 19 600	-	2	13 500
19 160 to 27 300	122	3	19 600
27 300 to 36 700	353	4	27 300
36 700 to 47 400	729	5	36 700
47 400 to 61 300	1 264	6	47 400
61 300 to 92 100	2 098	7	61 300
92 100 to 122 900	4 254	8	92 100
122 900 to 169 300	6 718	9	122 900
169 300 to 224 700	10 984	10	169 300
224 700 to 284 800	16 434	11	224 700
284 800 to 354 100	23 045	12	284 800
Over 354 100	31 361	13	354 100

b) Basic income tax rates for other taxpayers (single without children).

Taxable income (CHF)1	Base amount (CHF)	Plus % of the excess (CHF)
Up to 6 700	-	0	-
6 700 to 11 400	-	2	6 700
11 400 to 16 100	94	3	11 400
16 100 to 23 700	235	4	16 100
23 700 to 33 000	539	5	23 700
33 000 to 43 700	1 004	6	33 000
43 700 to 56 100	1 646	7	43 700
56 100 to 73 000	2 514	8	56 100
73 000 to 105 500	3 866	9	73 000
105 500 to 137 700	6 791	10	105 500
137 700 to 188 700	10 011	11	137 700
188 700 to 254 900	15 621	12	188 700
Over 254 900	23 565	13	254 900
← 1. Fractions below CHF 100 are disregarded.

c) Annual multiple as a percentage of basic tax rates:

Canton of Zurich	100
Commune of Zurich	119
Roman Catholic church tax	10 (for info.)
Reformed Church tax	10 (for info.)

A personal tax of CHF 24 is added.

1.2.4. Tax rates used for this study

This study uses the rates of tax levied by the federal, cantonal and communal tax authorities.

2. Compulsory social security contributions to schemes operated within the government sector

2.1. Employee contributions

2.1.1. Retirement pensions

5.125% of gross income for old age insurance.

2.1.2. Health insurance

–

2.1.3. Unemployment

1.1% on the portion of income up to CHF 148 200; 0.5% for income over CHF 148 200.

2.1.4. Work-related accidents

–

2.1.5. Family allowances

–

2.1.6. Other

–

2.2. Employer contributions

2.2.1. Retirement pensions

5.125% of gross income for old age insurance.

2.2.2. Health insurance

–

2.2.3. Unemployment

1.1% on the portion of income up to CHF 148 200; 0.5% for income over CHF 148 200.

2.2.4. Work-related accidents

–

2.2.5. Family allowances

The employer pays a benefit for dependent children of an employee. The effective benefits paid depend on the Canton of residence and the respective employer. As of 1 January 2009, a new Swiss-wide minimum amount of CHF 2 400 (for children up to 16 years of age and CHF 3 000 for children in education between 16 and 25 years of age) has been established. In most cases, the benefit paid exceeds this minimum. The average family benefit is estimated to amount to CHF 3 000 per child per year.

This benefit is taxable along with other components of income.

The family allowance contributions are not included in the Taxing Wages results either as they are paid to a privately-managed fund. These contributions therefore qualify as non-tax compulsory payments (see also section 5.3).

2.2.6. Other

–

3. Universal cash benefits

3.1. Benefits linked to marital status

No such benefits are paid.

3.2. Benefits for dependent children

The employer pays a benefit of, on average, approximately CHF 3 000 per year for each dependent child of an employee. This benefit is taxable along with other components of income. See 2.25.

4. Main changes in the tax/benefit system since 1998

On 1 January 1999, the canton of Zurich switched from biennial praenumerando taxation to annual postnumerando taxation on individual income. As a result, the direct federal tax is based on annual postnumerando taxation as well.

As of 1 January 2008, the basic deduction for married couples and the deduction for two-income couples were introduced. These measures are intended to minimise the marriage penalty and to reduce the high taxation of secondary earners, thereby increasing labour force participation of skilled secondary earners.

As of 1 January 2012, the tax credit for children reduces the tax liability by CHF 251 per child.

5. Memorandum item

5.1. Identification of the average worker

The population includes men and women working in industry, arts and crafts. The stated income is for the average of workers in the same sector. The geographical scope is the entire country, whereas the amount of tax is computed in respect of the canton and commune of Zurich.

5.2. Method of calculation used

Unemployment benefits: not included;
Sick leave payments: not included;
Paid leave allowances: included;
Overtime: included;
Periodic cash bonuses: included;
Fringe benefits: not included;
Basic method used for calculation: monthly wages are multiplied by 12;
Close of the income tax year: 31 December;
Reference period for computing wages: from 1 January to 31 December of the year in question.

5.3. Calculation of non-tax compulsory payments

Switzerland imposes some important non-tax compulsory payments (NTCPs). These NTPCs are not included in the Taxing Wages models except when they qualify as standard personal income tax reliefs. Compulsory payments indicators, which combine the effect of taxes and NTCPs, are calculated by the OECD Secretariat and presented in the OECD Tax Database (See: www.oecd.org/ctp/taxdatabase). Switzerland levies the following employee and/ or employer NTCPs:

Contributions to the second pillar of the pension system (occupational pension funds): Occupational pension funds are mandatory for salaried persons earning at least CHF 21 150 annually. Old age insurance is based on individual savings. The savings assets accumulated by the insured person on his individual savings account over the years serve to finance the old age pension. The constituted capital is converted into an annual old age pension on the basis of a conversion factor. Contribution rates depend on the occupation and the pension fund. An estimated representative rate amounted to 7.82% for employees and 10.61% for employers in 2014.
Health insurance is compulsory for all persons domiciled in Switzerland. Every family member is insured individually, regardless of age. Health insurance contributions are lump sum contributions per capita depending on age, sex, canton of residence and insurer. The national average rates for 2017 amount to CHF 5 367 for adults and CHF 1 263 for children per year. Health insurance premiums can be reduced depending on the contributor’s income level and his family situation. Each canton has its own definition of the income thresholds and the reduction regime. The health insurance premium and reduction rates of the Canton of Zurich are used in the calculations.
Family allowance: Employers have to make family allowance contributions. The contribution rates differ among cantons and family contribution funds. A representative rate has to be estimated, for 2016 it amounts to 1.1%.
Accident insurance: Accident insurance is compulsory for every employee. Employees are automatically insured by their employer, whereas the employers are more or less automatically assigned to a particular insurance company depending on their branch of trade. The risk and associated costs of the respective business activity determines the insurance premiums. A representative rate would have to be estimated.

2017 parameter values
Average earnings/yr	Ave_earn	86 042	Secretariat estimate
Tax allowances	fed_child_al	6 500
Tax credit	fed_child_cred	251
Partner Allowance	partner_rate_fed	0.5
	partner_min_fed	8 100
	partner_max_fed	13 400
Basic deduction for married couples	Married_ded_fed	2 600
Partner income local	partner_local	5 900
Single parent	sing_par_al	0
Workrelated	work_exp	0.03
	work_exp_min	2 000
	work_exp_max	4 000
Allowances for local tax	local_basic	0
	local_child	9 000
Federal tax	IFD_min_s
Single	IFD_sch_s	0	14 500
		0.0077	31 600
		0.0088	41 400
		0.0264	55 200
		0.0297	72 500
		0.0594	78 100
		0.066	103 600
		0.088	134 600
		0.11	176 000
		0.132	752 200
		0.115
Married	IFD_min_m	-
	IFD_sch_m	0	28 300
		0.01	50 900
		0.02	58 400
		0.03	75 300
		0.04	90 300
		0.05	103 400
		0.06	114 700
		0.07	124 200
		0.08	131 700
		0.09	137 300
		0.1	141 200
		0.11	143 100
		0.12	145 000
		0.13	895 900
		0.115
Cantonal tax	Zurich_min	24
Single	Zurich_sch_s	0	6 700
		0.02	11 400
		0.03	16 100
		0.04	23 700
		0.05	33 000
		0.06	43 700
		0.07	56 100
		0.08	73 000
		0.09	105 500
		0.1	137 700
		0.11	188 700
		0.12	254 900
		0.13
Married	Zurich_sch_m	0	13 500
		0.02	19 600
		0.03	27 300
		0.04	36 700
		0.05	47 400
		0.06	61 300
		0.07	92 100
		0.08	122 900
		0.09	169 300
		0.1	224 700
		0.11	284 800
		0.12	354 100
		0.13
Canton and Commune Tax Mutiple	statetax_mult	2.19
Social security contributions	old_age	0.05125
Pension	pension_rate	0
Pillar 2 pension	NTCP_old_age_max	28 200
	NTCP_pension_ee	0.0782
Unemployment	unemp_rate	0.011
	unemp_rate2	0.005
income ceiling	unemp_ciel	148 200
Cantonal deductible limit	local_dedn	2 600
deductible extra for child	local_dedn_c	1 300
Max other insurance deduction
single	max_dedn_s	1 700
married couples	max_dedn_m	3 500
child	max_dedn_c	700
Child cash transfer	child_ben	3 000

2017 tax equations

The equations for the Swiss system in 2017 are mostly calculated on a family basis.

Variable names are defined in the table of parameters above, within the equations table, or are the standard variables “married” and “children”. A reference to a variable with the affix “_total” indicates the sum of the relevant variable values for the principal and spouse. And the affixes “_princ” and “_spouse” indicate the value for the principal and spouse, respectively. Equations for a single person are as shown for the principal, with “_spouse” values taken as 0.

	Line in country table and intermediate steps	Variable name	Range	Equation
1.	Earnings	earn
2.	Allowances:	partner_al	J	IF(earn_spouse-work_al_spouse-SSC_spouse>partner_min_fed,(MarriedMAX (partner_min_fed,MIN(partner_max_fed,partner_rate_fed(earn_spouse-work_ al_spouse-SSC_spouse)))),earn_spouse-work_al_spouse-SSC_spouse)+ Married*Married_ded_fed
	Children	children_al	J	Childrenfed_child_al+ (Children>0)(Married=0)*sing_par_al
	Soc sec contributions	SSC_al	B	SSC + NTCP_pension_eeIF(earn_princ>0.75NTCP_old_age_max,MAX(0.125* NTCP_old_age_max,earn_princ-0.875NTCP_old_age_max),0)+NTCP_pension_ eeIF(earn_spouse>0.75NTCP_old_age_max,MAX(0.125NTCP_old_age_max, earn_spouse-0.875*NTCP_old_age_max),0)
	Work related	work_al	B	IF(earn-SSC>work_exp_min,MAX(work_exp_min,MIN(work_exp_max,work_ exp*(earn-SSC))),earn-SSC)
	Other	oth_al	J	IF(Married,IF(Children>0,max_dedn_m+Childrenfed_dedn_c,max_dedn_m),IF(Children>0,max_dedn_s+Childrenfed_dedn_c,max_dedn_s))
	Total	tax_al	J	partner_al+children_al+SSC_al+work_al+oth_al
3.	Credits in taxable income	taxbl_cr	J	Cash_tran
4.	CG taxable income	tax_inc	J	positive(earn_total-tax_al+taxbl_cr)
5.	CG tax before credits	CG_tax_excl	J	IF(Married+Children=’0,’ Tax(tax_inc, IFD_sch_s)+IFD_min_s(Tax(tax_inc, IFD_ sch_s)>0), Tax(tax_inc, IFD_sch_m)+IFD_min_m(Tax(tax_inc, IFD_sch_m)>0))
6.	Tax credits :	Children_cred	J	Child_cred*Children
7.	CG tax	CG_tax	J	Positive(CG_tax_exclChildren_cred)
8.	State and local taxes	local_tax_inc	J	MAX(earn_total+taxbl_cr-local_basic(1+Married)-Childrenlocal_child-work_ al_total-SSC_total-(local_dedn(1+Married)+Childrenlocal_dedn_c)-(earn_ spouse>0)*partner_local,0)
		local_tax		IF((Married+Children)>0, Tax(local_tax_inc, Zurich_sch_m)statetax_mult+(1+ Married)Zurich_min(Tax(local_tax_inc, Zurich_sch_m)>0), Tax(local_tax_inc, Zurich_sch_s)statetax_mult+(Tax(local_tax_inc, Zurich_sch_s)>0)*Zurich_min)
9.	Employees’ soc security	SSC	B	(old_age)earn+IF(earn<=unemp_ciel,earnunemp_rate,unemp_cielunemp_rate+(earn-unemp_ciel)unemp_rate2)
11.	Cash transfers	Cash_tran	J	Children*child_ben
13.	Employer’s soc security	SSC_empr	B	SSC
Key to range of equation B calculated separately for both principal earner and spouse P calculated for principal only (value taken as 0 for spouse calculation) J calculated once only on a joint basis.