of course it's taxed.. i was asking more questions than that if you would have read! thanks

I am new to this forum, so please forgive me if my question has been addressed before. A prior post concerning Swiss unemployment said "Bilateral agreement with EU countries."
I am an American, work permit "B" ,working and living in Switzerland (Basel area) for 3 1/2 years. Unemployment has been deducted from my salary monthly. I was recently informed that my contract would be terminated in January 2013.
2 questions: 1. As an American, do I qualify for Swiss unemployment?
2. If I do not qualify, is the amount deducted from my salary refunded to me?
Thanks for any info concerning these issues.

Actually, the question also wasnt answered clearly. Does the RAV deduct all taxes like a normal employer, including BVG (And do they match like a normal employer)?

Yes taxes are deducted unless you are Swiss/permit C (or married to one).

No BVG but yes AHV and accident insurance as you've no employer paying SUVA now for you.

You therefore have the option to put your BVG into a Freizügigkeitskonto or leave it where it is until you find a new job and transfer it.

Actually, if you've been let go unvoluntarily I dont think they can deny you benefit or "punish" you in the first month. But to be safe you should make efforts to find work anyway.

It also depends on your previous salary and with Chf 20k/month.....

You are entitled to max benefits after 18 months employment. Go to register ASAP with the rav , they will fill you in on what they expect you to do .

You can be punished if you don't make 10 good quality job applications a month during your notice period . Those applications can be world wide & outside your profession if necessary , saying there are no jobs in you field will not work!

As I said, good to be safe. But, this would seem a trick as when I received notice I called the RAV and told them. They said I only needed to come in the first day of unemployment. And (if I had not known because I spoke to others) I would of course have not idea that I needed to apply for 10 jobs a month during notice. Those tricky swiss....

Anyway, my RAV officer told me if you're fired the kasse can't refuse you. You may be mistaking this with resignation.

if you do not put enough effort in looking for work during notice period, you will be penalise with money being docked. Depends on what your salary is being insured, you will also have the wait period of up to 20 days. So make sure you have enough month for at least 1 month.

Thanks for the info. It's amazing how much mis-information there is out there. My Human Resources Department told me that because I am an American (Not EU), I did not qualify for unemployment benefits in Switzerland.

And what makes you think a Swiss has experience of being a foreigner in Switzerland?

No I an not mistaking it with registration , being refused & being punished are 2 very different concepts

20k/month and your asking an online forum.
Hire a lawyer you yuppie

My advice: regardless of the company, never trust HR.

These people do not work for YOU, but for the EMPLOYER. It may seem obvious and trivial but it is worth remembering.

Plus in Switzerland there are a lot of amateur HR staff, basically secretaries promoted "God knows how..."-

Hi All. Trying to find some answers concerning unemployment benefits and taxation..

previously I paid tax..quellensteuer.
Been away from CH for almost a year.

Would like to estimate my income before I have found a ney job.

My understanding is I will receive approx 70% of my previous salary. Just unsure of the taxation of that.

Any reply will be hugely appreciated. .

I don't understand your question.

You have been away for nearly a year, then you would not qualify for anything, as you must be employed for 12 months in the previous 18 months.

Unless there is other information you have not supplied.

Hello everyone,

I have been working for 2 years in Switzerland, always at the same company (i come from Spain). At the end of this year my contract will finish, and I would like to know if I must register as unemployed as soon as I loose my job, or I can wait some time for this.

The thing is that, I always wanted to do a long trip through Asia, and I would like to do it after december when I am finishing my contract. So would it be possible for example, to go 3 months to Asia once my contract is finished, and when I come back register myself as unemployed?

Thank you so much for your attention.

You can do what you want and register after your trip. But your blocking period, i.e. days where you won't get paid, will be longer. Not sure how long, depends on a few factors or, better yet, call upfront and inquire just to be sure. Plan accordingly, financially anyway, i.e. expect to not get any money for some 2 months AFTER your return, possibly more. You need to register immediately once you're back and be ready to send out applications, be available for jobs and any of the courses they may want to send you do.

You need to start looking for jobs for 3 months before your contract ends, going away will not be looked on in a positive manner. You need to start seriously trying to fin work not go on holiday. Expect several months of punishment if you go ahead with your plan.