SP chief Levrat want to stop tax competition

will Today vote on the tax-AHV-Deal. But even before the vote, local close, the SP already, the next tax reform. With a people's initiative wants to introduce after the abolition of tax privileges for international companies are now a minimum tax for all companies. SP-President Christian Levrat confirmed: "The Initiative comes from. We need to make this step, to stop the ruinous tax competition in our country. In addition, the time in a hurry, if we don't want to internationally come under pressure again."

An internal working group will soon submit an initiative text. The strategic direction is clear. "The goal of tax harmonisation with a minimum tax for companies," says Levrat is. You don't want to dictate to the cantons a certain tax rate for businesses, but may not set lower limit, under which the cantons go.

the Initiative comes as soon after the vote on the current Reform of corporate taxes, is a consequence of the international development, which is likely to force Switzerland sooner or later anyway, minimum tax rates. For years, the organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) is trying to make the taxation of international companies fairer.

First Attempts were in the foreground, a sort of Internet tax to introduce, before all foreign tech giants like Amazon or Google better tax. Recently, the discussion goes in the direction of minimum taxation. The first concrete decisions are expected to be launched in the next few weeks. Implementation horizon: 2020.

The Federal Council refuses to such plans

Levrat work is safe, that the minimum taxation is applicable, and Switzerland is not immune to this. And the Left is not alone in this analysis. Gabriel Rumo, Association Director of the first to be affected holding companies, has recently stated in an analysis paper, that "the table project could not be stopped" and it'll give for all the companies new requirements.

The Federal Council refuses but up to now, in these plans work. For Levrat it is a dangerous game: "If we refuse, minimum tax rates and to introduce us to the OECD Standards to join, the meeting will be the Swiss economy." Reason: In this case, Switzerland might conclude there is no double taxation agreements and more. Companies in Switzerland would tax their profits double at best, and perhaps leave the country.

Nevertheless, Levrats Plan to initiate in the bourgeois camp a lot of resistance. Because he attacks the core of the just-concluded Reform – and thus the taboo of the tax harmonisation. You want to close with the Reform although the international outlaw tax loopholes, the cantons, but a free Hand in setting the tax rates. Exactly but it is a failure and must now be corrected, says Levrat: "We proceed from the fact that several cantons have reduced the control to strong. You will be advised as soon financially brutal in the wrong location." That is why the Initiative was needed, and will also have opportunities.

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Created: 19.05.2019, 00:22 Uhr