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Article: Taxes at your fingertips: elaborating on the Swiss tax system is a lengthy and difficult task. But, Swiss News attempts at explaining it all in a simple and concise way.(Expat Advice)
- Article from:
- Swiss News
- Article date:
- January 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Swiss News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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There are two things that are inevitable in life: death and taxes. This well-worn quote shows our attitude toward taxes--we try to avoid them like the plague, at the same time acknowledge that no state can function without income.
Switzerland is no exception to the rule. The most recent figures from the Federal Department of Statistics show that in 2001 Switzerland had a total income of CHF131 billion, of which 72 per cent or CHF94 billion came from taxes. The last figure includes the direct income and asset taxes (CHF62 billion) as well as indirect taxes such as car taxes and VAT.
Of this total of CHF62 billion of direct taxes, CHF43.4 billion come ...