Exemption from inheritance tax and gift taxes in Switzerland

Each canton has different tax rules for inheritance, legacies and gifts. You can save rather a lot of money if you know the tax exemptions and reductions. So it is worth taking a look at the regulations for your canton.

Summary of the most important points

  • Find out the regulations for inheritance and gift tax in your canton. Here is an overview for inheritance tax.
  • Do you want to give someone a specific sum as a gift? First, have a look at whether you will have to pay taxes on this gift in your canton.
  • If you would like to leave the amount to someone when you die, use our will generator to document your wishes.

Tax exemption and tax relief in the cantons

The first basic rule of Swiss tax law is the universality of taxation. This means that all taxpayers must be treated equally according to their circumstances. Consequently, the authorities must tax all taxable entities according to the same legal rules.. It prohibits exceptions (or additional taxation) without an objective reason when taxing individual people or groups.

Tax exemptions for inheritance and gifts

In some cases, particularly for inheritance and gift taxes, it is reasonable or even advisable to grant a tax exemption or relief to certain people or in certain circumstances. This especially applies to inheritance, legacies or gifts to spouses, partners as well as close family members.. They have a particularly close relationship with the testator or donor and should not be taxed as heavily as third parties for the transfers of assets for their benefit.

Thus, many cantons classify the beneficiaries into various tax brackets, usually between one and five, based on their relationship with the testator or donor: The closer the relationship, the less tax is paid on the bequest.. Certain groups of people (spouses, registered partners as well as descendants) are exempt from inheritance tax and gift tax almost everywhere, others are usually exempt (ancestors, particularly parents) or in individual cases (life partners).

Benefiting from different tax brackets

Unless exempt from tax, close family members are usually placed in a more favourable tax bracket than distant relatives, who, in turn, are in a more favourable tax bracket than third parties. A more favourable tax bracket can involve higher allowances, lower tax rates or both, which, combined, would result in twice the tax benefits. You can find a detailed overview in our inheritance tax table.

Allowances and progressive tax rates

You do not have to pay the same tax rate on every franc that you bequeath or donate. This is to satisfy the ability-to-pay principle.

Most cantons first grant an allowance,which is deducted from the value of the recipient’s benefit depending on his or her tax bracket. Or there is a tax-free limit.Any amounts below this limit are not taxed. These limits tend to be higher the closer the relationship is between the parties. With inheritance tax, this allowance only takes effect once for each heir, specifically when they inherit after the testator dies.

Gift tax

Gift taxes are slightly different because, in this case,assets are transferred between living people. Therefore, there is a tax-free limit, usually per recipient and per assessment period (often the calendar year). For tax purposes, it may make sense to make smaller payments over several years instead of one large gift (or inheritance). However, many cantons look at the total amount gifted over a longer period of time for gift tax, which may result in adjustments and back payments. So-called ‘customary occasional gifts’ (Christmas, birthdays, etc.) below a value of CHF 5,000 are usually tax exempt.

The tax to be paid varies depending on the tax bracket.

You only have to pay taxes once you have exceeded a general allowance or the tax-free limit. But how much? This usually depends on the total transferred assets as well as the recipient’s tax bracket, as mentioned above. Inheritance and gift tax rates are predominantly progressive. This means thatthey increase with the value of the assessment basis. The highest tax rate can be up to 49.5% (Canton BS, highest tax bracket, above CHF 3 million). Therefore, tax planning and dividing the benefit into smaller amounts early on can help save money.

ensures that taxes already paid elsewhere are taken into account. This is important, as properties are taxed at the location, whereas moveable assets are taxed at the last place of residence of the testator or donor.

Other deductible expenses

As if the system wasn’t confusing enough, many cantons make further exceptions and particular considerations depending on the person or circumstances. For people (subjectively), this may include allowances or tax reductions for those who are unable to work, domestic staff, foster and god children or other recipients in certain situations. Furthermore, charitable trusts can also expect tax benefits as legal entities. In certain circumstances (objectively), debts associated with the inheritance, funeral and grave maintenance costs as well as expenses relating to the handling of the inheritance can be deducted. These deductions vary from canton to canton, so it is difficult to make general statements. We recommend getting advice from a local expert for inheritance and tax law and would be happy to help you find one during our consultation hours at: +41 44 500 52 37.

As with all matters under tax law, the principles of universality, uniformity as well as ability to pay apply to inheritance and gift taxes. In order to find a balance between their conflicting requirements, the cantons offer different tax exemptions and tax reductions.
On the one hand, these apply to certain close or related recipients due to the relationship with the testator or donor or as a result of their personal situation (service, inability to work, charitable purpose, etc.). On the other hand, the tax-free amounts and the progression of the tax rates are based on the value of the transferred assets. However, the law allows for many deductions for expenses relating to the transfer of ownership (e.g. testator debts, funeral costs and legal expenses).

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