I arrived in Switzerland from UK last week, and started work... I was told I needed a bank account at a swiss bank... so I went off to Zurich to open one... apparently I need to be 'registered' at the town hall ( Gemeindhaus ) in the town where I am temporarily renting a room... After googling about this I am confused...

(a) do I have to bother,
(b) does this mean I have to pay more taxes... apparently
I am 'taxed at source',
(c) are there any other consequences of registering ?

What happens if I leave the job after 3 / 6 months if it doesn't work out and I go back to UK ?

Cheers

You have 8 days to register with the authorities from arrival. Yes you need to bother.

Honestly why do people think they can move to another country, live and work there without having to obey the local rules and regulations? This is stuff you look up and work on before you move, not after

The number of days can vary. I have a client who had 14 days to register.
This information is always on the Gemeinde's website. (though in most cases not in English).

First of all, "stuff" that needs to be looked up is, for the most part, in German.

Secondly, a lot of people think that if they are only living somewhere temporarily, such as a furnished room or a hotel, as this not going to be their permanent home they don't need to register. This is of course, not true, assuming the person is staying more than just a few nights.

Finally, a lot of people think this forum is a better place to ask for advice than going to their HR department of their employer. If employers provide relocation assistance, they have have someone helping newcomers sort all these matters out. If they don't provice this, then HR are there as a resource.

__________________

Could be a contractor with an unhelpful agency.

Find someone who understands German and read this. (Assuming you are living in lenzburg like your profile says)

to answer your questions:

a) As has already been indicated, yes you have to register. HR should have mentioned this.

b) No, you don't pay any other taxes other than the Quellensteuer (tax at source).
However, you will need to ensure you have medical insurance for the duration of your time here. Check with your employer if they are covering you for medical insurance. Most employers only cover you for the "accident" insurance, and not "sickness" insurance - but your circumstances might be different.

c) No other consequences of registering. Depending on where you stay, you might get invited to a "welcome to Switzerland" meeting to pick up your permit and discuss living in Switzerland, to help you settle.

d) Whenever you leave you will need to de-register back at the Gemeinde. Similarly, if you change address during your time in Switzerland, you will need to de-register your old address and re-register your new address at your new Gemeinde.

Hope that helps

And you will pay a fee for changing Gemeinde which is why some try to avoid registering when staying somewhere temporarily.

Oh come on, groan all you want, it is just common sense that when you go and work abroad, need a work permit to do so, that you look up/ask whatever else you need to do. His HR department had to apply for a work permit for him so I am sure they could have provided him with other answers . It's just like going on vacation outside of your home country, you do your homework as to what to bring and do....

Brits don't need visas. (OP's profile says his nationality is "English").

That's a good point - if it's only temporary - up to 3 months - EU can just self register online and do not need to turn up at the Gemeinde.

Thanks for all the advice, I'll register tomorrow - I'm not trying to avoid tax or anything, I just didn't know the procedures, don't speak any Deutsch and flew out just a week after being offered the job... My (Swiss) employer is a bit vague about what I am supposed to do, they're too small to have a HR department.

But thanks then for the advice, I can get registered now I know... just got to find the Gemeinde thingy on Google Maps.....

Cheers