I think you need to talk to the KB manager and tell them you will remortgage if they dont accept the security on the PostBank 3rd pillar. They are more than capable of taking security from 3rd parties...

D

Thanks for the sanity check. I thought it's a real nice try. Actually I have the option to re-mortgage at good rates as my new employer is an insurance company that offers mortgages. In addition my local rag had an article from the local KB manager discussing the merits of switching to a LIBOR rate given current developments.

LIBOR sure.. Im paying 1.27% PA on this quarter's interest. Probably and even better time to fix for as long as possible if you are reasonably certain of staying a while (or at least keeping the property for a while).

D

About 2 months ago I sent my request for the 'correction of Quellensteur' to the Steueramt, but I haven't heard from it since. How long does it usually take to get a response or refund?

Can be up to 2 years. I'm not kidding.

Should be by May-end or max June, if it's a simple return like 3A claim.

Hi, has anyone had any experience with TreStar? http://www.trestar.ch/
They seem to be still offering 3% interest on 3a accounts, while interest rates have come way down at other banks. Just wondering whether there are any hidden costs etc that may be associated with this..

Maybe before subscribing you should ask them if they are planning to drop their rates any time soon?

It won't be much use if they have already planned to lower their rates next month.

3% appaers often to attract people (marketing), but the interest is actually less....2.625%

The pillar Pens3a (www.pens3a.ch) is located in the canton of Schwyz with the lowest tax at source rate.

Tax at rate tarif depends on the headquarter of the foundation.
To pay the less tax at source after having left Switzerland permanently, it makes sense to sort out what is the effectif tax at source to pay in this canton. Depending on the amount one canton might be cheaper than the other....as one canton wants to privilege amounts up to 40k, others the one up to 60 and so on.

One point has not to be forgotten: Usually, when you have a 3rd pillar to withdraw, you have usually as well a vested benefit from the second pillar to withdraw....then the wholw situation is changing anyway....
The amounts (3rd + 2nd) pillars become bigger and the tax at source tarif of the canton of Schwyz will certainly be the cheappest.

Therefore, www.pens3a.ch has a sister foundation www.pensfree.ch which is as well headquarterd in the canton of Schwyz. From personal experiences it is very convenient and easy from the point of administration and taxes to do both withdrawal simultaneously(2nd + 3a) through them. Of course, each situation is personal and different things has to be checked. It is worth to check it.

Legally it should be possible to transfer your 3a pillar amount to another 3a foundation. You can pledge your 3a at Postfinance to the ZKB.

There is a little bit more work (one shot). The problem is that ZKB will earn less afterwards. The market for pillar 3a is quite rigid. Most people open an account by a bank or have a 3a life insurance....and it stays for ages like this. Besides on getting the interest for your mortgage, they want to have your 6K every year (which reduces their risk, as the amount which is pledge gets higher) and at the same time they pay you a low(er) interest.

The best thing ist o talk to ZKB and convince them...."unmittelbare Verbindung....has nothing legal....but explains really well what is meant (as below).

I see Wakey is listed as being in ZH, but if you're in Geneva then "max June" is laughable. Here it gets later every year apparently due to "increasing demand". I got mine in August in 2007 and October (or maybe even November?) in 2008 even though the demande de rectification was sent in before the 31.03 deadline. I'll probably get this year's next year

Maybe I'm just further down the alphabet than you

In 2008, I got in May itself. This year I didn't apply as it didn't appear worth to me.

And I can't be alphabetically higher than you because I have always waited till last during all my school and college vivas just because both my first and last name are very down in alphabets

May??? I'm impressed,Wildboar! Well, it can't be the alphabet then. I'm just unlucky I guess

Well, i didn't wait for march-end deadline to apply but it was in february itself that I sent all papers and it was just 3rd pillar contribution.

May be, earlier you apply, earlier you get and waiting period increases exponentially if u wait more before applying.

Well, today is the last day of June and I still haven't heard anything It's not like I'm waiting for it but it's good to know that it will come some day... better late than never!

Hope you find this article useful

Hi, do you know if I can still take advantage of the tax-saving wit the 3rd pillar for the year 2009?
I live in Geneva and my taxes have been being paid directly my employeer eveyr month. Can I still take anything back?

Thanks.

it is based on the calender year, so you have to 29 or 30 Dec this year, depending on financial institution.

Update! Last week I got a letter stating that a certain amount of tax would be refunded to my bank account. I'm happy to know that the system works, and will now make my payment for 2009.