Hi all, have been though the forum but still have some specific questions regarding how to approach some parts of the tax return and hope someone can help

1) Regarding foreign property, I have a house in UK that is not rented out (family lives in it). However I am claiming the flat 1500 per month expat allowance through my employer. Do I still put in my mortgage interest payments, assumed rental income and maintenance costs in the tax return or how can I simply "declare" this expat tax allowance? Also, are remortgaging costs and fees, council tax, telecomms/utiliy bills part of the "maintenance" costs" if filling in all these details?

2) childcare costs - I'm doing the return online and I read in other posts that I can simply deduct the full allowance amount. However, it seems to have a table where you are supposed to fill out when, who, amount for each deduction. Do you simply fill in one lump sum on for 31st Dec and call it childcare cost? Or do you really need to break out separately each time a nanny or nursery etc was paid? And if nannies are just paid cash, do we need to get them to write receipts on a piece of paper each time?

3) what deductions can be added without receipts? I know of the 3% flat deduction on net assets. bicycle 700CHF. public transport (monthly pass x12). No canteen lunch expense. Charity - is it max 300 without receipt?

Will probably have more questions but thanks in advance for any help!

Before proceeding, are you subject to Quellensteuer (source tax) or to ordinary taxation in Ct. Zurich?

0.3%......... or 3 o/oo

Yes, and you will have to pay social contributions and also accident at work insurance.
https://www.svazurich.ch/hausangestellte

Yes, subject to Quellensteuer (over 120k income) therefore requested to do a tax return

Sorry, 0.3%

Insurances all deducted by employer already?

Thanks!

Sorry, I meant nannies/baby sitters/childminders in the UK

This Ct. Zurich guide might assist in answering some of your questions: "Taxation in the Canton of Zurich Special professional expenses for expatriates":

https://www.steueramt.zh.ch/internet...s_20161025.pdf

Ct. Zurich has also published this document in English "How to Fill in Your Tax Return 2015:

https://www.steueramt.zh.ch/internet...lisch+2015.pdf

Thanks, but I've already read these and they don't really answer my questions, which is why I was hoping someone has similar arrangements and has done this before can give actual answers based on personal experience.

Appreciate the effort though

Call your tax office, they are very helpful

Careful with this one.. The 1500 tax break..

I just got stung.. I work in GE but reside in VD.. Have been getting the tax break since nearly 5 years.. My employer just informed me that VD changed the rules LAST YEAR and only just told them.. Sooo boom, repay all of the saving.. around 6k..

Employer says that various cantons are reviewing the rules .. GE is still ok.. But who knows for you.. Check it i'd say..

What 1500 allowance?

Tom

1500 is the federally accepted amount for temporary foreign workers. Each canton can agree different amounts with employers. The rules changed to the federal 1500 so that you can only claim if you're on a secondment to a branch of the same company. Employees already claiming the amount can continue to claim. As soon as you've been here 5 years or change job you're not considered temporary any more. I believe the expenses have to be administered by your employer. Any special arrangements your employer has exclude the possibilty for the federal 1500 and crucially are only valid in the canton where the company is registered. If you live in a different canton then you might not be allowed to claim these expenses. Myself and several of my colleagues were asked to pay back taxes and it took an awful long time through the courts before we were refunded the taxes.