As I am now on a C permit, I need to pay my taxes on my own. Does anyone know what can be claimed as tax return. Can rent on an apartment/ holidays etc be declared. Where do I go to recieve this information, possibly in English? I live in Baselland so my understanding is that you declare in january. When do you recieve the money from tax return.

There are far too many questions to answer, it is complicated the first time and you want to claim as much as possible don't you.

The first time you should go to a tax accountant. You can also go to your tax office they will also help you. Many of them will compltete the tax forms privately and charge you about CHF 100,--

After that if your situation hasn't changed you can simply update the figures for the next year.

You declare in January, but you can put it off for a long while for a small fee. You can't claim apartment rent or holidays. You will have to pay tax in September (on account for the current year), with the balance in March. Why would you receive money from the tax return - the whole point is that your tax is no longer being deducted at source, so now you have to make sure you have enough to pay when it's due.

See an accountant.

Any rental income your receive from any apartments must be declared as income.

Swiss tax returns work on the following basis:
You must declare global assets and global income
You are charged tax on your Swiss assets only

You can claim the actual tax paid on any overseas income (if it was taxed in the country it was earned in) to prevent any double taxation. Valid for all countries where a double taxation agreement exists.

As for costs, you can claim either a fixed amount for work related expenses, or actuals (proof required)
You get child benefits
You get travel related expenses
If you work out of home, you can claim part of your home as work-related expenses

But always best to see a tax expert, especially if you have overseas property and overseas rental income.