Just wondering if anyone has/had a similar experience they can share...

We are going to be living in France, but working in Switzerland (Basel), with a cross border permit. We are trying to anticipate the taxes we will have to pay, but really have no idea.....

Does anyone know/have experience in this/know where I could find out?

Cheers,
Megan

We are in a similar position. We want to live to Chamonix (France) and work in Geneva (Switzerland). Our question is; Is this a difficult problem? Do we pay French or Swiss tax?

You also mention a Border permit. I think I will need some type of work permit (I am a UK citizen) but is that different to a Cross Border permit you mention?

You pay French tax less a coordination tax which is levied in Switzerland but is very small. There are agreements between the countries that determine exactly how much tax you pay.

You will need a G permit in order to work in Switzerland and commute from a foreign country - for non-EU this must share a border with Switzerland.

Working in Switzerland, living in France, can I do it?
Can I work in Geneva and live in France?
http://www.englishforum.ch/family-ma...rk+switzerland

these should give also some clues....

Actually you don't pay any tax in Switzerland (at least in Basel Stadt) , you do pay Swiss social security etc though.

ash

I live in France & work in Geneva. Obviously the situation varies from canton to canton, as I must pay swiss income tax at source, like all Geneva frontaliers. It's much less than if I worked in France. I must fill in a french tax form every year. I get a bit of paper from the swiss tax authorities saying what I've earned and that tax is paid on it, so I start from zero. I declare interest on bank accounts, shares, etc. and can deduct life insurance contributions. I can get swiss tax deductions for contributions to my 3eme pillier and that's about all.


I recommend joining the "Groupement des Frontaliers". They know all the wrinkles that can appear in these complicated situations, and act as a pressure group. I don't know how good their service to english speakers is. I went native a long time ago.

hi,

Does anyone know if I had a Permanent job in Switzerland (Geneva) but lived in France would I be liable to swiss or french income tax? Or both or neither?

thanks D

Did you read the links above?

It not, I'll assist the newbie...
http://geneva.angloinfo.com/information.asp

Hi,

Yep I read the links above and they all helped thanks.

Cheers

Davey

we are thinking of moving to nernier, as we are in geneva now , waiting our permits... we are looking on pros & contras of living in france and working in geneva as we both are EU, it would be lovely to have more insights on the matter. as we may rent a property next week. thanksx

Well, what would you like to know? Personally I think working in Switzerland and living in France is an ideal compromise, but as I mentioned, I'm more or less french after 20 years here, with a french wife too, so I'm certainly biased . Buying a house is much easier, & property is cheaper. No huge downpayment needed.

I've never had a problem with the french tax authorities. The forms are extremely clear & the tax inspectors very helpful, if you go to see them.

Geneva to Nernier is going to be a big culture shock. You move into a tiny postcard village with lots of funny rules. I had a colleague, now retired, who has a lovely little house by the port. He wanted to repaint the shutters, so he went to see the mayor, as one does. "Ah", says he, "you have to paint them the standard green. I'll look out the sample to show you." After much searching... "I can't seem to find the sample, why not choose a green you fancy and paint a bit of wood with it. That'll be our new standard." Brilliant!

Just ask if you need more nitty-gritty details.

Sounds Brilliant :-)

I am new to this forum, so apologies if I am in the "wrong place". My question pertains to G-permits for non-EU's. I am American and have lived in Geneva for almost 4 years while working for a local company as a local. I have a B-permit and would like to move across the border to live in France, but continue working for the same company in Geneva.

I would like to have my B-permit exchanged for a G-permit, but it seems to be similar to running around chasing my tail. I am supposed to have an address in France (verified by the French authorities) to begin the processing of the permit application in CH. BUT my B-permit doesn't allow me to live outside while working inside of CH. Nice catch-22. Is there some procedure (or loop-hole) that can get this sorted out?

Sorry if I show my ignorace of permits, but is a G-Permit not to work in Switzerland while you reside outside?

Would you not have to procure a permit in France and then get the G-Permit in Switzerland?

(sorry - this is not much help at all I just realised...better leave it to the experts...)

surely you are over complicating this! first are you personally allowed to live in France? yes i assume. find a location and sort out arranging to live there. get the french authorities to verify register you then bring this to the CH authorities telling them I want to exchange the B for G. while you are sorting out the French side you are living in CH. while you have both locations you technically only have a 'second' residence in France until you move. after/while you exchange permits you move to France.

done?

a quick phone call you your 'control des habitants' should confirm this. you are certainly not the first person to do this!

Fairlyfrustrated may not as an American citizen have an automatic right to live in France? Is that not the first issue to resolve perhaps?

Hi,

i saw this thread on the forum and you seemed to be quite well informed.
I also plan on working in Lausanne epfl and living in France. I am a french citizen, but will be living in france for the first time.

I heard tax is lower in switzerland and would thus like the option you described. Did I understand correctly, that you do not pay income tax in France? Can you tell me where I can find all the information regarding this?

thank you for your help

Welcome to the forum, cedar!

Well, if you work in Geneva, you pay Swiss income tax on your salary. If you live in France, the French consider that money has been taxed. Check your tax position to see how much better or worse off you'd be if you earned the same in France.

Unfortunately, the information is not centralized in any one convenient place. It can be a jungle. Here is about as good as it gets .

And remember that I work in Geneva, not Vaud, and that can matter.

I suggested joining the groupement des frontaliers NOW, especially if you're francophone. It's not too expensive & it gets you through all the initial administrative sh*t, even if you decide not to stay with them afterwards. See their web site, to see what you think.

Hi,

I have a more unique case. I want to keep living in France and work in Switzerland (or any other country in the EU) as a Freelancer ir Independent.

Where should I register, in France or Switzerland? And would anyone know how much tax I have to pay and are there any technical requirements before becoming a Freelancer/Independent?

Thanks for the help!

That's an easy one. You pay standard french tax. No way Switzerland has anything to do with you. All the complications in the posts above are due to the fact that frontaliers reside in one country and earn their SALARY in another.

Residing in one country and doing contracts in another country causes no complicated problems, tax-wise, as far as I know. I guess that you need to go to your local Chambre de Commerce and, if you are really a one man band, register as an "entreprise unique". It is very easy and popular and advantageous from the tax point of view (for France ).

How much tax will you pay? It depends, of course, on many things. With a non-working spouse and two (or three) kids, you're laughing. You're a bachelor ... ouch.

Good luck!