Reply to: Switzerland contract 1100 CHF

[kaiser78]

Richterswil in Zurich is the canton where the lowest tax band is apparently.

[sunflower]

Which canton are you going to? Remember that the Swiss systems is canton tax and income tax combined. Some cantons are lower than others.
I seem to remember Zurich 22%, Zug is lower, Basel city was under 30%. Bern is 35% canton tax. Geneva was not low either. There will be a an up to date list on line somewhere.

To save tax, do not tick the box for religion when you register in Switzerland. They automatically deduct church tax from you if so.

Make sure your agency will payroll you or it adds a burden of about up to 5% of your invoice if your agent does not have an office in Switzerland and you need to go through a private payroll solution!

If you are married or in an official partnership with children and your partner does not work, you pay 7% tax.

Again, check out your responsibilities for UK tax and UK residency or you will need tax equalisation. Otherwise you need to go out of the UK for a full tax year and stay out for the next one. If not, I think you can claim a double housing allowance from Switzerland if you have proof of mortgage or rental contract. (That means you are opting to be taxed on worldwide income in the UK).

Switzerland is expensive for eating out. You can gets some products for more reasonable prices in the likes of Migros. Loaf of bread up to 5 pounds, fresh vegetables and fish are way more expensive.

Get yourself a Halbtax abo train discount pass if you go. 160 CHF or so and 50% off trains. Soon pays for itself!

[Brussels Slumdog]

Have gone through the process contract of CHF950 pd
Amount of tax depends on the canton you live in and on many other factors, even how many children you have back in the UK.
After making all the calculations I decided this was not profitable enough for me and declined teh contract (even considered camping for 3 months in the summer to save on accomodation)

I can take home more working in Geneva at CHF 850 than working near London at £475, commuting Monday to Friday,staying in hotels and paying for a flight or train to kings cross.

[Eirikur]

Have gone through the process contract of CHF950 pd
Amount of tax depends on the canton you live in and on many other factors, even how many children you have back in the UK.
After making all the calculations I decided this was not profitable enough for me and declined teh contract (even considered camping for 3 months in the summer to save on accomodation)

[Pherlopolus]

hello, I am in a very similar situation, just wondering if you took the Swiss contract or not and how you are finding the cost of living etc out there?

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I think you answered the question before you asked it.

I don't know why I didn't spot that..... It's true, it would be like going on holiday for 6 months!

[d000hg]

You've got a young family haven't you? Why would you be considering a gig abroad?

I think you answered the question before you asked it.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

You've got a young family haven't you? Why would you be considering a gig abroad?

Just wanted to see if the figure added up to be honest.... 725 on paper is worth considering at least.

[northernladuk]

You've got a young family haven't you? Why would you be considering a gig abroad?

[NotAllThere]

It's not that high. It's not bad, but it's not high.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

All seems awfully complicated.... Goes to explain why the rate on offer is so high.... Not sure it's my cup of tea though I would have jumped at the opportunity about 2 years ago regardless.

[expat]

Only the first flight in and the last flight out!

And don't forget £18 for a Jacket Potato....

Not necessarily. Well OK, the Jacket yes, but the expenses: it is HMRC who will only allow you a flight out and a flight back (because you are going to take up a "permanent" job), but you stand a good chance of claiming actual travelling expenses and subsistence against Swiss tax, if you can establish that your real home stays in the UK. But you do need a Swiss accountant.

[NotAllThere]

About 725/day and next to a lake... Doesn't sound too bad for a few months....

However, seems like I will have to pay tax there rather than do it through my limited setup... What are the implications and is it worth it?

Close to the mountains for skiing. Yes, it's worth it - apart from that if you've never worked in Switzerland, it'll add to the richness of your life's experience. If you have kids, then you might qualify for a tax deduction, similarly for a dependent spouse. You'll have to fill in a Swiss tax return; if you're maintaining a residence back in the UK, you're entitled to an 18'000K deduction on your taxes. The amount of tax you pay (and health premiums) varies according to where you live. Use the tax calculator on comparis.ch to identify the lower tax areas. However, these are also the places with higher rents.

French speaking Switzerland is rather more pleasant to live in than the German speaking part. Excepting Basel.

[The Spartan]

Nope as there is a tax treaty between here and there so once the tax is paid its paid..

Don't forget that accommodation, food and flights will also have to come out of that so it still may not be worthwhile.

It might be worth rechecking that as HMRC only take into account the Swiss tax % you're paying and if the contract doesn't encompass a full financial year or you don't qualify under the SR test for relief you'll have to top it up to UK levels.

[stek]

Part of the breakdown includes expense allowance of 1500 and 510 pension. So 10kish after that. Is pension compulsory? Can travel expenses to uk and back not be included?

Only the first flight in and the last flight out!

And don't forget £18 for a Jacket Potato....