Hi,

My husband came to Switzerland in Dec 2007 and continuing till now. He didn't do tax filing for the year 2007, as it was just a month. But recently someone told that we can claim the tax, as the salary of that year is less than a particular limit. Is that true? If so, how much percentage we canget back? So, is it possible for us to file it now?

Another query is, he filed the tax for 2008 (though his salary is less than 120K). He got a tax return, because he invested in 3rd pillar and also sends money every month to his parents, back at home. But few of his friends got more return, as they did through consultants, who took care of "Expat" points too. So, is it possible for us to re-file it to add our "Expat" details?

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Myth is a Myth until you dare to understand it

I assume you're paying tax at source?

There's no personal tax allowance in Switzerland, like there is for example in the UK (where each person can earn around 6k tax-free before any tax is due). For Dec 2007, even though it was only one month, they would have multiplied whatever he received by 12 (or 13, if the salary is paid in 13 instalments) and used that as the figure for tax purposes.

For example, if he earnt 10k in Dec, then the tax people would assume his overall yearly salary was 120k, and apply the appropriate deduction percentage according to the 'at source' tables for your canton.

This is why there are howls of outrage on here whenever anyone gets a bonus paid in one month, as the figure for that one month is extrapolated 12 times as an ANNUAL salary, and taxed accordingly for that month. With a tax return, it all comes out in the wash. Eventually.

So have a look at what he earnt in Dec, multiply it up to be an annual salary, check the percentage deduction and see if it's worth filing a return (assuming this is even possible, although we've only just filed ours for 2008 so who knows?).

As far as refiling, no idea, sorry, but I'd assume not. 'Not knowing we could claim' is probably a bit like 'I didn't know it was against the law to do x', ie, no defence at all! But hey, why not make a phone call to your tax office? They're usually surprisingly helpful, I've heard.

kodokan

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'Chance favours only the prepared mind.'

Thank you so much kodokan. Sure will inform my husband these details and ask him to give a call to the tax office. If any amazing results, I'll update it here