Got C Permit - How does this impact tax?

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
1
Hey folks,

I was wondering if someone could provide me with some guidance.

I just received my C permit a couple of weeks ago and not really sure what the next steps are in regards to sorting out my taxes for the future.

My situation is pretty straight forward - I work and live in Switzerland. Do not have substantial wealth or real estate.

I was recently quoted 500CHF by an accountant for the following services:

- Drafting of tax return

- Checking tax bills/assessments

- Providing you advice on provisional tax payments to be made

- Providing you with advice on how to optimize your Swiss tax situation

I think this is a bit much. Can someone tell me how much I should be roughly paying and if possible even provide recommended accountants in the Zurich area that I could contact?

Thanks!

2
A Swiss tax return takes me about 30 minutes to do myself.

When I first moved to Ticino, and didn't speak Italian, there was a very nice English speaking person in the Lugano tax office who helped me fill it out!

Tom

3
Hi. CHF500 is about right and roughly what we pay although I am considering doing it myself in future as it seems straightforward

4
500 IS FAR TOO MUCH !! expect 200 as a maximum, but more like 120 - 150 ish....

5
I used Denise at Colfina to prepare our return last year. She charges 150 CHF/hour and our tax return took a bit over an hour (it was moderately complicated due to half-year in Switzerland/some back and forth questions). I can imagine that if she gave us advice about how to "optimize" our particular Swiss tax situation, it would take longer and therefore cost more money. So - do you need that, or are you pretty well aware of how to optimize? If not, it could be worth a one-time review.

6
For 2012 all the forms will be in English,it's dead easy save your money!

The software will work out your liability so you will know what to expect.

On the ZH tax website you can also calculate your liability.

7
That's great news but I will probably still get someone else to fill it out.

Normally costs between 150 - 250 in St.Gallen, and they can easily save you most of that money by spotting something that you miss. At the least it saves you time and stress...

8
Thanks everyone for the feedback. As you can see I'm a bit of a newbie to this forum, so I really appreciate you taking time out to offer words of wisdom. It has given me food for thought!

9
can you please tell me how long did it takes to get your permit? thanks.

10
I use Denise too, and she does a great job. Charges me about 150 CHF. I have had 2 Tax returns filed by her and all have been good so far.

500 CHF to me sounds very excesive!

11
[QUOTE=fatmanfilms;1695543]For 2012 all the forms will be in English,it's dead easy save your money!

Does this apply only to Zurich or to other Cantons as well?

12
But isn't the key question here is what the difference from B and going to C? Any savings or changes? I think one change is Quellensteuer. This is a standard deductible. Then you get only an accurate rebait based on what you should have paid only after your tax return. With C there's no Quellensteuer but something's else?

13
[QUOTE=chelski;1696864] Zurich has started the trend.......

14
With C (and some B) you pay taxes like a Swiss, i.e. they send you a bill (three, actually, town, canton, and federal).

I had to do that even with a B after I married a Swiss.

Tom

15
Hello Tom,

My husband is Swiss, and I received my C permit recently. Could you please tell more details about the change in tax payment? I was holding B permit before while being married and now only change is my new C permit.

Thanks!

Regards..

16
Being married to a Swiss, aren't you already doing normal taxes, even with a B (I was)?

Tom

17
we used Denise in 2012, straightforward return, plus 10 minutes on the Phone to understand how to Handle Split year employment income.

All papers were with her by 15 Feb. After Several chasings Finally got the filled return back in the last week of June.

Bill was550 chf

won't be a repeat customer

18
Yes, I mean I guess so..

My husband is doing the taxes as it is German, and we fill in the online form etc..

ANd I was wondering will there be any cnage with C permit, for example, will we (will I) pay less tax? Or C permit does not impact anything when married with a Swiss?

Thanks.

19
B or C makes no difference on the amount you pay if married to a Swiss. Tom

20
Ok, thanks!..

Regards..