Taxes affect a significant portion of the population and concern anyone who is subject to limited or unlimited taxation in Switzerland and has income and/or assets. We help our clients manage their tax affairs, reduce their tax burden and, when this is not possible, defer their tax liability as much as possible.
A cross-functional approach allows us to address all taxes and mandatory state contributions that may be owed by a taxpayer at a given time. We favor a 360° approach that takes into account income tax, wealth tax (e.g., valuation of family business shares), inheritance and gift tax (e.g., transfer of the family business), social security contributions, capital gains and real estate gains tax, withholding tax, transfer tax, etc.
A comprehensive and coordinated approach makes it possible to control and generally reduce the tax burden while complying with the legal framework. To this end, it is essential to have access to specialized and personalized support.
Our clients are primarily individuals who reside or conduct business in Geneva, the Canton of Vaud, and more broadly in French-speaking Switzerland.
The Geneva-based law firm PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA assists individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, and families with all matters related to personal taxation, providing both advisory services and litigation support.
A comprehensive approach to personal taxation
Personal taxation is not limited to annual tax returns. It is part of a comprehensive view of the taxpayer's assets, family and professional situation, as well as their medium- and long-term plans.
The law firm PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA is active in the following areas, among others:
As each situation is unique, an in-depth analysis is carried out in order to propose tailored solutions that comply with Swiss tax law and cantonal practices.
Income and wealth taxation
Compensation for the entrepreneur: salary, dividends, and overall planning
The entrepreneur can choose to remunerate themselves through the payment of a salary, the distribution of dividends, or a combination of both. This choice has significant consequences in terms of taxation, social security contributions, occupational pension plans, and estate planning, and must be examined from a holistic perspective.
The law firm PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA can assist you with, for example:
Optimization of the tax shield in Geneva or in the Canton of Vaud
In certain cantons, namely Geneva, Vaud, Valais, Bern, Basel-Stadt, Lucerne, and Aargau, the tax shield aims to limit taxation when the tax burden is disproportionate to the taxpayer's income.
The tax shield is a protective mechanism designed to prevent confiscatory taxation. Under the tax shield, if a taxpayer’s assets do not generate sufficient income, the tax authorities will limit or reduce the tax on that taxpayer’s assets. The best example is the Bernese tax shield. It calculates the tax on assets and compares it to the return on those assets.
If the wealth tax exceeds 25% of the return on assets, the tax authorities apply the cap and limit the wealth tax to 25% of the return on assets. In the absence of income, the minimum wealth tax rate is set at 0.24% (which corresponds to a hypothetical return on wealth of 0.96% per annum).
Proper structuring of income and assets allows you to fall within the scope of the shield and therefore reduce your tax burden.
For more details, please refer to our specific section on this issue: https://plaw.ch/le-bouclier-fiscal-comprendre-ce-mecanisme-de-protection-contre-limpot/
The law firm PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA can assist you with:
Taxation of inheritances and gifts
Inheritance and gift tax is a major issue in personal taxation. Failure to plan ahead or poor planning can have significant financial consequences for heirs or donees.
In Geneva, in the vast majority of cases, no tax is levied on direct line inheritance, whether ascending (children to parents) or descending (parents to children). However, this is not the case in other jurisdictions, notably in the Canton of Vaud or in France, where the transfer of assets can be heavily taxed.
The law firm PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA assists you with:
Acquisition, sale, and transfer of businesses
Acquisition, sale, and transfer of businesses: an integrated legal and tax approach
The acquisition, sale, and/or transfer of a business to the next generation are major strategic steps for any entrepreneur. These transactions raise complex issues relating to contract law, corporate law, and the taxation of legal entities and individuals. A comprehensive and proactive approach is essential in order to secure the transaction and optimize its legal and tax consequences.
The law firm PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA acts on behalf of:
Support before and throughout the process helps to secure the transaction and limit the overall tax burden for both the transferor and the beneficiaries.
Assistance, voluntary disclosures, and litigation in personal taxation
In the event of a tax audit, voluntary disclosure of undeclared assets or income, tax reassessment proceedings, or litigation with the tax authorities, it is essential to seek assistance from a lawyer who is fully versed in personal taxation.
For example, voluntary disclosure can turn into a tax disaster if the taxpayer is unable to prove that the income tax is time-barred or that the funds come from non-taxable sources (e.g., gifts/inheritances). In such a case, the taxpayer may end up paying more (taxes, fines, interest on arrears) than the amounts evaded. For more details, please refer to our specific section on this issue.
In addition, heirs benefit from a privilege if they declare items not declared by the deceased. If the conditions are met, the tax recall covers three years instead of ten.
The law firm PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA provides:
This expertise allows us to effectively defend your rights and interests.
Why choose PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA law firm in Geneva?
When you engage the services of PANCHAUD Tax & Legal SA, you benefit from:
Whether you are a Swiss resident, cross-border worker, entrepreneur, or heir, the firm provides you with rigorous, clear, and effective support in all matters relating to personal taxation.