How do I have to declare securities and accounts?

Declare securities and accounts: The complete guide to the Swiss tax return

The correct declaration of securities and accounts is a central part of the Swiss tax return. This guide systematically explains to you what you need to declare, how to do so, and the benefits of a correct declaration.

What do you have to declare in the securities register?

All accounts and balances

• bank accounts: Savings, private, salary accounts at every bank
• Accounts with zero balance: Empty accounts must also be declared
• Rent deposit accounts: Often forgotten, but requires declaration
• smartphone bank accounts: Digital banks such as Revolut, N26
• Child accounts: As long as children do not fill out their own tax return
• Foreign accounts: All accounts abroad, even with low balances
• crypto assets: Digital currencies and tokens

All securities

• stocks: Swiss and foreign titles
• Bonds: government bonds, corporate bonds
• fund: investment funds, ETFs, hedge funds
• Structured products: certificates, options
• GmbH shares: Investments in companies
• life insurance: Repurchable policies (not pillar 3a)

What is NOT subject to declaration?

• Pillar 3a accounts: Tax-exempt until payout
• Vested rights accounts: Tax-free until due
• Pension fund assets: Occupational benefits
• Household goods: furniture, electrical appliances, personal belongings

Evaluation and deadline

Evaluation deadline

All assets are as of December 31 rated in the tax year:

• Listed securities: Closing price of the last trading day in December
• bank accounts: Account balance on December 31
• Unlisted securities: Market value as estimated by tax authorities

Foreign assets

• Conversion into Swiss francs mandatory
• fortunes: Use year-end exchange rate
• yields: Use average annual exchange rate
• List of courses offered by the Federal Tax Administration at ictax.ch

Practical procedure for declaration

The easy way: tax statement

For securities with Swiss banks:

1. Request a tax statement at your bank
2. Transfer totals in one line of the list of securities
3. Attach complete tax statement (all pages)
4. No need to enter individual positions

Individual declaration

If no tax statement is available:

1. List each position individually
2. Tax value as at 31.12. specify
3. All income for the year capturing
4. Collect receipts: account statements, dividend statements

Declare income correctly

interest income

• Account interest: Even with minimal amounts
• Bond interest: Current interest and accrued interest
• With withholding tax: Use separate column
• Excluding withholding tax: Use another column

Dividends and distributions

• gross dividends: Before deducting withholding tax
• Fund distributions: All income and capital gains
• Foreign dividends: With any withholding tax

Price gains

• private investors: Price gains are tax-free
• Commercial trade: All profits are taxable
• Observe criteria for commercial trade

Reclaim withholding tax

prerequisites

• Domicile in Switzerland at the time of due
• Correct declaration of all assets and income
• right of use Prove of assets

Refund procedure

• Automatic billing with the tax bill
• deadline: 3 years after the end of the due year
• In case of refusal: Forfeiture of claim

Wealth tax: What you need to know

Taxable assets

• Account balance: Of all types, even abroad
• Securities: At exchange rates as at 31.12.
• life insurance: Repurchase values
• vehicles: By market value
• works of art: If the value is significant

Capital allowances (selection of important cantons)

• Zurich Canton: CHF 80,000 (single)/CHF 159,000 (married)
• Canton of Bern: CHF 100,000 general allowance
• Canton of Zug: Taxation from very low amounts
• Canton of Valais: CHF 30,000 (single)/CHF 60,000 (married)

tax rates

Depending on the canton, the wealth tax is 1-5 per mille of taxable assets and is progressive designed.

Avoid common mistakes

comprehensiveness

• Declare all accounts: Even with minimal credit
• Foreign assets: Don't forget
• Children's wealth: In the case of a joint tax return

valuation

• Correct deadline use (31.12.)
• Correct conversion foreign currencies
• Current tax statement retaining

yields

• Gross income Declare (before tax deduction)
• Correct columns use (with/without withholding tax)
• Due date Note, do not pay date

Special situations

inheritances

• During the year: Partial declaration
• Community of heirs: Divide according to inheritance rates
• Withholding tax: Separate treatment before/after inheritance

Foreign withholding tax

• double taxation agreement utilize
• reimbursement apply in the source state
• crediting possible in Switzerland

Qualified investments

• From 10% participation: Reduced taxation
• federal/cantonal level: Various discounts
• Liquidation proceeds: Special regulations

Practical tips

documentation

• Store receipts: At least 10 years
• Systematic filing: By years and categories
• digital copies: Recommended as a backup

Tax optimization

• Timing: Plan purchases and sales optimally for tax purposes
• Choice of residence: Note cantonal differences
• Take advantage of prevention: Make maximum use of pillar 3a

Professional help

• For complex conditions: Consult tax advisors
• borderline cases: Contact tax office
• legal certainty: Inquire in case of uncertainty

Important deadlines and dates

tax return

• Submission deadline: Usually March 31 of the following year
• prolongation: On request, often by the end of September
• Electronic filing: Sometimes longer deadlines

Withholding tax

• Submitting an application: January 1 after due date at the earliest
• limitation: 3 years after the end of the due year
• Automatic billing: With the tax bill

Digital tools

online tools

• Cantonal tax programs: Mostly available free of charge
• Tax statement upload: Direct import possible
• Calculation tools: For tax comparisons

mobile apps

• banking apps: For current account balances
• Portfolio tracker: For securities overview
• Tax apps: On the go

Control and evidence

Automatic exchange of information (AIA)

Since 2017, Swiss tax authorities have automatically received information about:

• Foreign bank accounts from Swiss taxpayers
• life insurance with foreign providers
• interest income and account balance

Consequences of not declaring

• After-tax proceedings: With interest and fines
• criminal proceedings: In case of intentional tax evasion
• Withholding tax loss: No refund possible

conclusion

The correct declaration of securities and accounts is essential for a legally compliant tax return. By providing complete and correct information, you not only ensure a refund of withholding tax, but also avoid costly post-tax procedures. If you are uncertain, do not hesitate to seek professional help or contact your cantonal tax office directly.

Remember: Complexity and accuracy pay off — both for tax and legal purposes.