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Tax representative services for VAT in Switzerland

Since 1 January 2018, all businesses based in Europe and internationally, with no stable establishment in Switzerland and generating turnover in Switzerland and worldwide of at least CHF 100 000 must pay VAT in Switzerland. If such is the case, Swiss law requires you to be represented for tax purposes in Switzerland.

RISTER® Swiss VAT tax representative services

VAT registration in Switzerland

In Switzerland, VAT registration is an important step for businesses wishing to sell goods or certain services on the Swiss market. Here is the process of VAT registration in Switzerland:

  1. Verification of the VAT registration obligation: In Switzerland, companies are obliged to register for VAT if their annual worldwide turnover exceeds CHF 100,000. You can therefore be subject to VAT in Switzerland from your first franc of turnover with a Swiss customer. Foreign companies can also register voluntarily even if their worldwide turnover is below this threshold.
  2. Application for registration: To register for VAT in Switzerland, the tax representative must complete the relevant registration form, available on the website of the Federal Tax Administration (FTA), and must request documents and information from the foreign company in advance, which may vary depending on the legal structure of the company and its country of origin. Commonly required documents include a copy of the extract from the commercial register or the company’s articles of association, a copy of the passport or identity card of the person authorised to sign the application, and an authorisation for a Swiss tax representative if the company does not have a physical presence in Switzerland and detailed information on turnover and activities in Switzerland.
  3. Sending the application: Once the form is completed, the tax representative must send it to the FTA with the required supporting documents. Processing the application: Once the application for VAT registration has been sent to the FTA, it will be processed within 2-6 weeks. If the FTA needs additional information, they can contact the tax representative for clarification.
  4. Receipt of VAT identification number: Once the application for VAT registration has been approved, the company will receive its Swiss VAT identification number by post. This number must be used on all invoices issued in Switzerland and in all business transactions with Swiss customers.

VAT regularization in Switzerland

RISTER’s services as a tax representative for VAT regularization in Switzerland are services that can help foreign companies to regularize their VAT situation in Switzerland.

Foreign companies that do not have a physical presence in Switzerland but are subject to Swiss VAT are required to appoint a tax representative in Switzerland to handle their VAT. If a company does not comply with its tax obligations, it may be subject to fines and sanctions. In such cases, RISTER’s VAT adjustment services as a tax representative in Switzerland can be very helpful.

RISTER’s VAT regularization services as a Swiss tax representative in Switzerland can include :

– Analysis of the company’s VAT tax situation: as a tax representative, we can review your company’s tax situation to identify any errors or omissions and determine what actions need to be taken to regularize the situation.

– Preparation and submission of the VAT return: As a tax representative, we can prepare and submit your company’s VAT return to the Federal Tax Administration (FTA).

– Negotiating with the tax authorities: As a tax representative we can negotiate with the tax authorities to regularize the company’s tax situation and minimize penalties and sanctions.

– Representation of your company before the Swiss tax authorities: As a tax representative, we can represent your company before the Swiss tax authorities in the event of a dispute or an audit.

The VAT regularization services of the tax representative in Switzerland can be very useful for foreign companies wishing to regularize their tax situation in Switzerland with regard to VAT. These services can help companies to avoid penalties and sanctions and to comply with Swiss tax requirements.

Preparation of VAT statements

RISTER’s Swiss tax representative services for the preparation of VAT statements are services offered by RISTER to help your company prepare and submit your quarterly VAT return in Switzerland.

Foreign companies doing business in Switzerland are often required to register for VAT and submit quarterly returns to the Federal Tax Administration (FTA). The preparation of these returns can be complex and time consuming. As a tax representative for the preparation of VAT returns in Switzerland, our services include :

– Tax data collection: As a tax representative we collect your company’s VAT tax data, including invoices and receipts, to prepare the VAT return.

– Preparation and submission of the VAT return: As a tax representative we prepare and submit the VAT return to the FTA within the required timeframe.

– Tax compliance management: As a tax representative we can help you to comply with Swiss tax obligations in order to avoid errors and omissions in your company’s tax returns, to meet tax deadlines and to comply with Swiss tax requirements.

Recovery of VAT in Switzerland

To recover VAT paid by foreign companies for final imports and deliveries of goods in Switzerland or for temporary imports of leased goods, your company can use RISTER as a Swiss tax representative. Here are the steps that the Swiss tax representative must complete in order to recover the VAT:

– Registration with the Federal Tax Administration (FTA): As a Swiss tax representative, you can register your company with the FTA to obtain a Swiss VAT identification number.

– VAT declaration: The Swiss tax representative can assist the foreign company in preparing and submitting the VAT declarations required to recover VAT on final imports and supplies of goods in Switzerland.

– VAT recovery: As a Swiss tax representative, we recover VAT paid on final and temporary imports and supplies of goods in Switzerland by submitting a refund application to the FTA.

– Follow-up and management of disputes: As a Swiss tax representative we can assist your company in case of dispute with the FTA or customs regarding VAT.

As a Swiss tax representative, RISTER helps you recover VAT paid on final and temporary imports and deliveries of goods in Switzerland by acting as an intermediary with the FTA.

Assistance in case of VAT audits

In case of a VAT audit in Switzerland, RISTER as a tax representative in Switzerland can assist foreign companies in various ways. Here are some examples of services we can provide in case of a VAT audit:

– Assistance during the audit: As a tax representative we can assist the foreign company during the audit, providing information on Swiss tax rules and requirements, and helping to prepare the required documents.

– Legal representation: As a tax representative one can act as the legal representative of the foreign company before the FTA during the audit.

– Verification of compliance: As a tax representative we can carry out a verification of the foreign company’s compliance with Swiss tax rules, ensuring that all transactions have been properly recorded and that VAT returns have been submitted in accordance with the FTA’s requirements.

– Assistance in appeal procedures: If the foreign company is not satisfied with the results of the audit, as a tax representative we can assist in the preparation and submission of appeal procedures to the FTA.

Deregistration from VAT in Switzerland

When a foreign company ceases its activities in Switzerland, it may be necessary to register with the Swiss VAT authorities. RISTER as your Swiss tax representative can help your company with this task. Here are some examples of the services that RISTER as a tax representative can provide for the Swiss VAT write-off:

– Analysis of the situation: As a Swiss tax representative we can help the foreign company to analyze its situation in Switzerland and to determine whether it should be cancelled from Swiss VAT.

– Preparation of documents: As a Swiss tax representative we can assist the foreign company in preparing the necessary documents for the deregistration, such as the final VAT returns and the closing documents.

– Deregistration with the FTA: As a Swiss tax representative we can assist the foreign company with the deregistration with the FTA by submitting the necessary documents and handling all administrative formalities.

– Follow-up of refunds: As a Swiss tax representative we can help the foreign company to follow up the VAT refunds due after the de-listing.

Our tax representative services for VAT in Switzerland

  • Tax advice services
  • Tax representation for VAT returns
  • Verifications of tax assessments
  • Recovery of VAT in Switzerland
  • Processing correspondence relating to VAT
  • Management of imports

As a Swiss tax representative company we can represent you for tax purposes for your VAT returns in Switzerland. The tax representative is responsible, in respect to the tax authorities, for all tax returns and requests for information relating to VAT to ensure that a business is in compliance with its tax return obligations.

As a Swiss tax representative, we manage for your business all processing of correspondence, communications and requests for information from the Swiss tax authorities and customs. Your tax representative is the reference person for Switzerland and makes available work areas for any VAT inspection by the tax authorities relating to your tax return obligations.

Our services

01

VAT tax advice and services

VAT consulting services as a tax representative in Switzerland are services offered that can help you as a foreign company to navigate the Swiss value added tax system.

02

VAT registration in Switzerland

VAT registration is an important step for companies wishing to sell goods or certain services on the Swiss market.

03

VAT regularization in Switzerland

If a company does not comply with its tax obligations, it may be subject to fines and penalties.

04

Preparation of VAT statements

Foreign companies conducting business transactions in Switzerland are required to register for VAT and submit quarterly returns to the Federal Tax Administration (FTA).

05

Recovery of VAT in Switzerland

Your company can use RISTER as a Swiss tax representative to recover VAT in Switzerland.

06

Establishing a branch or subsidiary in Switzerland

RISTER® assists international businesses VAT tax represented in the process for establishing a branch or subsidiary in Switzerland.

VAT tax advice and services

VAT consulting services as a tax representative in Switzerland are services offered that can help you as a foreign company navigate the Swiss value added tax system.

RISTER is a tax representative who can represent you as a foreign company without a physical presence in Switzerland in VAT related matters. As a fiscal representative

RISTER is responsible for VAT administration and ensures that you comply with all your VAT obligations.

RISTER as your Swiss tax representative can also help you to develop tax strategies tailored to your needs and situation. For example, we can advise you on the tax advantages of using certain legal structures or supply chain management.

VAT consulting services as a tax representative in Switzerland include :

– Swiss VAT advice and services
– Registration of your company with the Swiss tax authorities
– Regularisation of your company’s VAT status in Switzerland
– Preparation of VAT statements
– Recovery of VAT in Switzerland
– Assistance in the event of incorrect VAT assessment notices from customs
– Representing your company before the Swiss tax authorities in the event of an audit or dispute
– Deregistration of your company with the Swiss VAT authorities

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