This might be a bit of a technical question but hopefully there are some experts on the forum who might be able to point me in the right direction.

My husband is going to start up his own business (a SARL/GMBH). For obvious reasons he doesn't want to draw a salary until it is established and starts bringing in some income. We have been told that it is possible to draw a salary on paper but not take it out of the company. This means you set up AVS/AVI and LPP (the pillar 1 and 2) etc and therefore have an insurance element for incapacity.

The problem with this is that even if he doesn't draw out the salary, we will be taxed as if he is. As the tax rate is based on the combination of both our salaries, then it will be far higher than if just the nominal amount he would be (paper) withdrawing. Moreover, if for the first year there is no salary withdrawn and the income is retained within the company to help it grow, then presumably we would just be taxed on the basis of one person in the family earning (hence lower tax band as well).

I understand the need to set something up to cover the insurance costs - but it seems to be a very expensive way to do it. Has anyone ever come across international incapacity insurance that we could get separately? Or does anyone know if there are any legal / tax reasons why this cannot be done?

Thank you hugely in advance for any suggestions!

SUVA is a non commercial accident insurance in Switzerland. This company is the usual one companies choose for their employee accident insurance. They state they can insure self employed people too. (Voluntary insurance according to the AIL )

Download here, "Verfügbarkeit: nur Download möglich"

https://extra.suva.ch/suva/b2c/catal...240A0E10080000

Insurance
Suva Genève

réception lundi-jeudi 8h-12h et 13.30-17h
vendredi 8h-12h et 13h30-16h30

rue Ami-Lullin 12
1207 Genève
P.O. Box
1211 Genève 3

Phone: 022 707 84 04

SUVA is a great choice, but they don't take everyone, only risky jobs.
For desktop jobs, they will refuse.

I would start with 1500.- IF you have kids, you'll get child support. But you don't have to pay BVG yet.
You have to pay AVH, EO etc.
Accident insurance will be mandatory. BU and NBU

The company still owes you this money, with interest BTW.

BUT, from something you have to make a living. You ether have to show some savings you could live on or you will be questioned if you taking some "black" money out of the company.

YOU are NOT required to draw a salary - there is no minimum wage introduced yet here in Switzerland. (This said, I read today that in the French part is seems so) You can declare yourself as "no income", then you have to pay AHV as no-income, around 470.- a year.
EO would not be charged and no accident insurance will be mandatory.

BUT again, you will then be asked from what you make a living.
If your partner works and has income, great.

Don't forget to deduct EVERYTHING, deduct more, the tax office will scratch off what they don't like.

And first 2/3 years you have to make a loss - it's the law :grin: