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| I had my taxes done properly for 2008 and was under the impression that I do not need to file for 2009, as there was no work or income. Subsequently I moved away. | |
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This is where the big mistake occurred.
You knew you had no income.
But the authorities did not, as you never told them via the proper channels (tax return). So the authorities made the assumption everything carried on unchanged - why should they assume otherwise?
And when you didn't file on time, the processes kicked in and the system started working. End result: tax department chasing you.
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| The required SOLUTION:
I need to file that I was not employed and did not earn any money during this period. However, I am rather unfamiliar with the intricacies of this Swiss tax filing and am also on the other side of the world. Perhaps this is really easy and I just don't know it? This situation seems so straight forward to me, that perhaps there is a single form I need to fill to be set free?
Who can help, please? If needs be, I am also open to referrals to tax professionals, provided they don't charge an arm and a leg.... | |
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IMMEDIATELY, if not sooner, send the tax authorities a letter stating what the situation was.
Enclose PROOF of your termination of employment at the end of 2008.
Enclose PROOF of your wealth (for the wealth tax) as at 31.12.2008 and as at 31.1.2009. Here on EF we have no idea if you are a pauper or a multi-millionaire, so wealth tax may or may not be inconsequential
Enclose PROOF that you left the country and were de-registered.
You must accept that you will have to pay tax for January 2009, because you were here. At the very least: 1/12 of the wealth tax for your wealth.
When I arrived in Switzerland in December one year, I was in the country for 13 days before the 31st December turned around.
I had no income and few assets.
I was still, correctly, issued a tax return, which I promptly filed.
It had lots of 0's in it :-)
I received a lovely letter from the tax dept, properly calculating my portion of federal and wealth tax, and apportioning it for the 13 days I was here.
But the tax office generously let me of the CHF 1.80 tax bill :-)
So anyway, TALK to the tax office straight away (or via email / letter). Explain you did not understand, and fill in a tax form for them
That will be likely to be very simple with no income (unless you have a complex wealth structure across many countries...)
Good luck!