Hi all,

So I've lurked long enough in these forums and thought it was time to actually make a post. I've read a number of posts and threads but cant quite find something that applies to my situation, so here we go.

I'm English, single, currently here on a L residency permit - I had a job offer but that fell through. A company in the UK has expressed interest in me contracting for them for various IT services, however for them the invoice has to come from a UK company. The option I'm looking at is setting up a UK LTD company in the UK and being self-employed, with the majority of the work being done here in Switzerland (and 5-10 days a month in the UK to see the users).

I am *not* looking to be non-resident in the UK, so I am expecting to pay tax/etc in the UK - while this is obviously not ideal due to the higher tax rate, I do rather need an income.

My ideal solution for these requirements is: form the Ltd, fill out tax/etc in the UK, fill out tax/etc in Switzerland and - somehow - get a B residency permit.

The question is: would my ideal situation work?

I've read from older posts that a payroll would have to be setup in Switzerland and in reality this would scupper my "simple" solution.

Before setting anything up I'm trying to work out if it's feasible, after which I'd I need an accountant with expat/cross-border tax experience. I saw Grether MacGeorge recommended in other posts, does anyone have any other recommendations?

Cheers,

Ollie.

Obviously you'll need professional advice, but it seems to me what you're suggesting might actually work. I didn't think so at first reading, but essentially, you'd be working for a UK company and living in Switzerland. I'm fairly sure that some people on this board are / have been doing that. Though in your case, you happen to own the UK company.

You'll pay tax on your income in CH, as they'll want their cut, and then the rest to UK levels to HMRC. The only wrinkle is if the Swiss authorities will let you live here on that basis. And of course a good £ rate is still a poor CHF rate.

With a UK passport and UK residency and the free travel across borders in the EU and Switzerland why not just stay officially UK resident.

You can visit Switzerland as much as you like...

Hi, I'm fairly sure that some people on this board have been doing that.

@Kolen - I was hoping that was the case and one of 'em might mention a good tax advisor

@cran - true, that would indeed be possible however it's not my end goal.

@NotAllThere - thank 'ee, that's what I was thinking, fingers crossed!

Could anyone recommend a Zurich-based accountant with cross-border tax experience?

Not true. You need to report yourself to the Swiss authorities if you work here more than 8 days a year.

Of course if you don't you don't risk much. I work for a large multinational company that used to do it. If I talk one day this would be a big scandal.