Hello everyone,

So yesterday I received a big fat envelope from the Zurich Steueramt that I don't know what to make of. It consists of about 6 separate multi page folded questionnaires and and what I'm guessing would be an descriptive/instructional booklet. All in German and full of technical language that I don't understand.
I would greatly appreciate if someone who has a general clue about this would tell me something about what am I to do with all this and point me in the right direction at least since I assume it to be somewhat complex. A little about my situation: I am unemployed, never have been yet in Switzerland, have a debit bank account here so I'm not sure what exactly there is to tax here.

How long have you been in Switzerland?

It's actually pretty simple to fill out, and you probably only need to fill out a few forms, and not every line.

Tom

I used to enjoy doing it. I had everything ready before the forms came and turned it in a couple of days after it had arrived.

Check the option for "Frist verlängern" (Postponement of the deadline).
In Bern you can delay the whole thing until the 15.11.2019. Maybe you have the same option in Zürich and it could be worthwhile especially if you are new to this.

The electronic version is even easier, been using it for a few years now.

Just load last year's declaration, change some numbers, and you are done, you can even file it electronically since last year here rather than having to print out it like before and mail it in.

Tom

Actually, I asked this question as I was wondering if the OP was self-employed and hadn't been here long. This would explain the lack of German. But if employed and not earning more than a certain amount, it means they have been here for at least 5 years, possibly 10 and have recently switched to a Permit C. In this case I wouldn't understand the lack of German.

Moreover I don't think it is a good idea to post a big picture showing full name, address and social security number etc.

Wow, thank you guys, didn't expect so many reply's so fast. I've been in Switzerland for 2 years now, have a B permit until 2022, was never employed here. I've done a short German course and a couple of home courses, but I just never had anyone to talk German to so as to really get much better at it. My fiancee's work place is also in English so that didn't help much. So last year I got a bill from Steueramt that claimed it was a tax on my bank account statement, but when I went down to their office to see what that was about the lady there said it was a mistake on their part probably(said no gov. agency ever before) and that I don't have to pay it (I asked 3 separate times). So now I got this huge pile of paper and was again confused. Judging by your responses I take it it's a sort of tax declaration that I have to fill up and return or do it online. Not sure how to get on with it, I guess there's a day of google translate awaiting me : )

Do you have any income or assets at all?

If you don't have a C, or a high income or assets, it makes no sense that they sent you tax forms to fill out.

I would ask them.

Tom

No I don't have any income at all, nor assets if I understand that word correctly. The only thing I have for now is my private bank account with the saving that I brought over when I moved here, but I don't see how they would want/be able to tax that.

First query with them why you have been sent the forms. If they say you have to fill it in, you have to declare all of your bank accounts worldwide on the apposite form.

So you have assets. A bank account is an assets, as well are shares, ETFs, a car, cash, precious metals, etc. minus any debt regardless where in the world they might be. Tax on assets/wealth is a few 0.1%

You will have to list any income, world wide. Interest, lottery winnings above a certain amounts, etc. etc.

There is a brief English guide "How to Fill in Your Tax Return" which might help. https://www.steueramt.zh.ch/content/...1_neues-CD.pdf

For details you will have to look into the "Wegleitung". Here the Wegleitung as a PDF for copy and paste into a translation tool.
https://www.steueramt.zh.ch/internet...017_HA+DEF.pdf
A good translation tool is deepl.com But you must remove any mid sentence line breaks!

__________________
On Strike - ChatGPT knows more than I, so use it (or doesn't it?)

Probably best to hash it out with them and see what's what. They have been getting a bank statement from me every year so far so they already have that info. Homeland bank account I didn't think the'd care about but you might be right. Thank you everyone for the quick reply's and especially thank you Clocker, much appreciated : )

Yes, they do.

Not to tax you on it, but to calculate your tax rate for your Swiss assets.

Tom

Oh thanks "aSwissInTheUS" I've been browsing their site for a while but didn't find this English version so thanks again. So other than my bank accounts I'm pretty "clean" no income, no interest, no car, no metals, no debt. Just the shirt on my back and my film camera collection ) Will have to see.

Those are also assets.

Tom

Well in that case I should probably expect some decent change back from 1 CHF tax paid )

In Zürich, you can delay your filing till 30.11.2019

There should be simplified English directions....i used them one year.

Honestly, if you have to file, as long as you have the required info, you should be able to do it in an afternoon. The online Version is really easy.

Link to basic Ct. Zurich tax return instructions in English for 2015:

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

Link to basic Ct. Zug tax return instructions in English for 2018:

https://www.zg.ch/behoerden/finanzdi...-2017/download