"definitive Schlussrechnung" is the binding assessment . You must appeal within 30 days, if you think it is incorrect. And you must pay within 30 days, even if appealing.

First thing: Many thanks to Richard for this useful post (the thanks button appears to be gone).

Last year I used a Treuhand, but armed with that completed form and this thread, I felt I was able to do my tax return myself.

But I have a question about the bit on the ZH tax return about shares.

First, I did not get a statement from Swissquote at year end, so presumably the Zürich authorities are going to trust whatever I tell them - I couldn't find a "request a statement for tax purposes" option on the Swissquote web site. Or what should I do?

Second, shares values change all the time, so what number would one put down for the shares' value? Logic states this is just the price I paid for them. But this is a tax form, so logic need not apply.

The Lohnausweis I got from my employer had a very different format this year. Is the Lohnausweis a standard document?

Yes, new format for 2007 and later salary certificates. Reflects new rules on taxation of fringe benefits.

You must enter the share purchase price and also the value as on 31-Dec-2007. That is relevant to determine your wealth at year end. Your broker must tell you the asset value at year-end. The tax authorities have their own database of share prices at year-end, which may be accessible.

If you sold any shares during 2007, then you must show both the purchase price and the actual sell price. Capital gains is supposedly tax-free. But, under certain circumstances, the tax-office may deem the profit to be income.

If you received any dividends in 2007, then you must show it as income. Of course, you then become entitled to refund of withholding tax.

Login to Swissquote, then login further to 'Login Bank' and then look at your mailbox. There you should find both your end of year statement and the custody fees, which you set as an expense against income.

The value and quantity is as at December 31st each year...

I found out today the tax deadline in Bern is 15th of March!

Goes to show that I should have realized most forum info is Zurich centered and I must not assume the rest of Switzerland follows the same trends! So I have missed the deadline, I hope most of the Bern members and people in other kantons with different deadlines here have been cleverer than me . (I did not receive a form).

Yes, each canton has its own deadline. It is printed on top of the pertinent form.

In the canton Aargau even the "provisorische Rechnung" is mandatory to pay, without the possibility to appeal.

So i guess this depends a lot at where you live.

Nowhere you can legally challenge a provisional assessment! The basis is not yet decided. So the facts are unavailable for contesting.

If you feel that the provisional assessment (usually an extrapolation of the previous year) is completely wrong, you can always have a friendly word with the tax officers and explain. They are intelligent people and generally helpful.

Unless you have a cash crunch, better to pay and enjoy the tax-free interest from the tax office.

Given that the deadline for filing the tax return or for extending the deadline is approaching (March 31), I thought this great thread deserves all the boosts it can get.

Here is the address for the extension if you live in Zurich:

https://e-gov.stzh.ch/efristen/servlet/FSIServlet

You just have to fill in some numbers from your tax form and choose how long you want the extension to be.

And once again, the $£*?!%& Swiss have proven their superior intelligence - not.



Today I receive in my cute little Swiss mailbox a cute little envelope postmarked April 8.

And what does it contain? A whole bunch of *@#+?$ tax forms which I have to submit by *** drum roll *** March 31, 2008.



Going drinking now, will worry about it at a later time. Gawd I hate this place.

If this is your first, it won't be a problem...

March 31 is the default deadline. You can easily get the deadline extended by several months.

Hello.
With regard: "If you are daft you can also add in your international account values..."
Is there any limit below which you don't need to add this?
Example: bank account in another European country, total amount lower than 3000 euros, taxes already paid in that country (the bank does it automatically).
Thanks,
Mary

--

Any income and any asset above 1 Franc must be shown.
You can show the after-tax income.

Thanks. Does it mean that I am taxed twice?

no, not if

a) a double-tax agreement exists between the country and Switzerland
b) you complete the appropriate forms to apply the credit equivalent to the tax paid in the other country

So you don't pay double-tax.

There are several bilateral taxation agreements between Switzerland and other countries. Each agreement is different and must be studied to determine what relief from double taxation is available.

Many countries do not tax wealth but Switzerland does. So you might be liable for that here.

Richard

if I set up savings accounts for the kids and deposit chf 100 in their accounts each month, is that part of my capital?

i.e. are the kids allowed to 'own' any cash?

Assets and income of husband, wife and all minor children are aggregated in a single tax assessment.