Switzerland

Details

  • Service: Tax, Corporate Tax, International Corporate Tax, Indirect Tax
  • Type: Press release
  • Date: 11/3/2011

Average corporate tax rates in Switzerland have fallen again slightly 

In global terms, corporate tax rates fell slightly in 2011. In Europe, however, the downward trend has leveled out.

Moreover, the global tendency toward indirect taxation is continuing. These are the findings of this year’s edition of the KPMG Corporate and Indirect Tax Survey, which has compared 125 countries worldwide.

 

According to the Corporate and Indirect Tax Survey by KPMG International, the world’s average tax rate has fallen steadily over the past 11 years, from 29.03% in 2000 to 22.96% this year. Europe is the only region where a slight increase was recorded year-on-year, from 19.98% in 2010 to 20.12% in 2011 – despite the fact that Greece (-4.0%) made significant cuts to their corporate tax rates.

Still no reversal in trend in Switzerland

Compared to the corporate tax rates in other European countries, Switzerland (city of Zurich) lies in 13th place, down one place on last year. If, for ease of comparison, the average rate of all the cantons is used, Switzerland remains in 8th position, with an average corporate tax rate of 18.31%.

 

The cantonal average (cantonal capitals) fell by 0.49% in the previous year, due mainly to tax cuts in the cantons of Glarus (-3.09%), Freiburg (-1.19%), Uri (-0.7%) and Basel-Stadt (-0.59%). Only in Grisons was there a slight increase of 0.32%.

 

Whereas the downward trend in Europe has leveled out, this is not expected to reach Switzerland until a later point in time. The cantons of Lucerne and Neuchâtel have already decided to cut corporate taxes. However, these cuts will only enter into force over the next few years: Lucerne is reducing its profit taxes as of 1 January 2012 and is thus likely to be the new forerunner in Switzerland. Neuchâtel has announced that it will cut corporate taxes every year until 2016.

Stable sales tax rates

Average sales tax rates at the global level have been relatively stable for the past three years, and currently stand at 15.41%. In Europe, sales tax rates are rising slightly, from an average of 19.67% in the previous year to 19.71% this year.

Informationen on the study

The Corporate and Indirect Tax Survey is published annually by KPMG International. A total of 125 countries are currently included in the study. In this year’s survey, corporate tax rates as at 1 March 2011 are compared with the relevant figures for previous years. The survey also takes account of corporate tax rates as at 1 October 2011 in 125 countries and compares these over the course of the last six years. The survey was compiled by KPMG employees from tax departments worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

KPMG AG

Andreas Hammer

Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs

Telephone: +41 44 249 48 20

Mobile: +41 79 335 75 06

E-Mail: kpmgmedia@kpmg.ch

www.kpmg.ch

 

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KPMG's Corporate and Indirect Tax Survey 2011

Teaser Image Corporate and Indirect Tax
Corporate and Indirect Tax Rates in international comparison.

Facts & Figures

This presentation contains the facts, figures and backgrounds:

KPMG's Corporate and Indirect Tax Survey presentation

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