Ah - the dreaded "Quellensteuer". My understanding of this is that it's a scheme like PAYE in the UK, which deducts tax as you eran, so there's no chance of you skipping the country and not settling your income tax bill. What I've never understood is why some "B" permit holders have to suffer this whilst others (me, for example) go straight into the normal Swiss system and can fill in a tax return. I can understand it for "L" permit holders but not "B"s.

Since I've never been subject to Quellensteuer I'm no expert but I have the impression you have no opportunity to deduct the legitimate things all Swiss can deduct, like travel to work costs, education etc., and therefore pay far more tax than you should.

Given the sums involved I'd find a tax advisor and ask them to help you. I can't see a good reason why you should not be allowed to file a tax return, but sometimes have the suspicion it's easier or safer for the agencies! I always use a tax adviser to help me do my tax return and rarely spend more than SFR 500.-- each year. That seems a small investment for not paying too much tax and ensuring your social security contributions are correctly paid and credited.

RS