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15.03.2009, 14:01
|  | Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Zürich
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| | Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible?
I'm a self-employed freelancer in St Gallen, and more than a little surprised to find in the instructions (Wegleitung) accompanying my tax statement this little tidbit in a sidebar:
"Nicht abziehbar sind insbesondere Aufwendungen für Anschaffungen und Verbesserungen im Betrieb..."
-which I take to mean that capital expenses, such as a new computer, are not tax deductible. Is that correct? I've been searching high and low and can't find an answer to the contrary. I'm very surprised, as I keep reading how one is able to deduct more in Switzerland than in the UK, for example. Yet, in the UK, capital expenses are deductible to 50%, if I remember correctly.
Am I missing something, or is that really it, no capital deductions? | 
15.03.2009, 14:21
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible?
thats interesting, I would also like to read any responses, I am at the moment doing my accounts and am putting my new computer through against last years earnings as I would have in the UK, I don't earn a great deal so i was thinking i'd have a lot less tax to pay with my computer going through - I hope this isn't the case what you've discovered | Quote: | |  | | | I'm a self-employed freelancer in St Gallen, and more than a little surprised to find in the instructions (Wegleitung) accompanying my tax statement this little tidbit in a sidebar:
"Nicht abziehbar sind insbesondere Aufwendungen für Anschaffungen und Verbesserungen im Betrieb..."
-which I take to mean that capital expenses, such as a new computer, are not tax deductible. Is that correct? I've been searching high and low and can't find an answer to the contrary. I'm very surprised, as I keep reading how one is able to deduct more in Switzerland than in the UK, for example. Yet, in the UK, capital expenses are deductible to 50%, if I remember correctly.
Am I missing something, or is that really it, no capital deductions?  | | | | | | 
15.03.2009, 16:36
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baselland
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| | Re: Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible?
I work through my own GmbH - I've had no problem putting new hardware through the books.
It is odd. It looks like they're denying it on the basis that it's for improving the business, rather than because it's needed by the business. | This user would like to thank NotAllThere for this useful post: | | 
15.03.2009, 18:12
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible? | Quote: | |  | | | I'm a self-employed freelancer in St Gallen, and more than a little surprised to find in the instructions (Wegleitung) accompanying my tax statement this little tidbit in a sidebar:
"Nicht abziehbar sind insbesondere Aufwendungen für Anschaffungen und Verbesserungen im Betrieb..."
-which I take to mean that capital expenses, such as a new computer, are not tax deductible. Is that correct? I've been searching high and low and can't find an answer to the contrary. I'm very surprised, as I keep reading how one is able to deduct more in Switzerland than in the UK, for example. Yet, in the UK, capital expenses are deductible to 50%, if I remember correctly.
Am I missing something, or is that really it, no capital deductions?  | | | | | My experience in ZH is that the depreciation is deductible. Computers are depreciated 50% annually. Moreover, the expenditure must be business relevant, e.g. farmers need tractors, IT-Specialists need computers, etc.
| This user would like to thank Goldtop for this useful post: | | 
15.03.2009, 18:47
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| | Re: Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible?
Anyone running a business may need a computer.
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16.03.2009, 21:13
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kt. Bern
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| | Re: Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible?
First thing to establish is what you mean by a Freelancer? Are you working over an agency, are you self employed or do you have a company. In the first case you will not normally be able to claim capital expenses as you are in fact an employee, in the second two cases it should be possible.
Jim
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17.03.2009, 09:25
|  | Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Zürich
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| | Re: Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible?
I am self-employed. I've now decided to take these expenses off, the tax office can query that if they are really not allowed. | 
17.03.2009, 09:55
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Freelancer: new computer not tax deductible?
For a freelancer working through an agency we needed a letter from the employer stating that a computer was needed at home for work and they were not covering the cost. The Zug tax office then said 30% of it was was for personal use, but we could claim 70% in the year of purchase. We didn't bother challenging this since they charge you for challenging it.
We also claimed one room from our rent (when renting) and now 1 room as an office from our Eigenmietwert/deemed rental value. In Zug we need to work 3 days per week from home to claim this.
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