What are the Swiss tax obligations for non-residents with Swiss assets or income?

Non-residents are subject to limited Swiss tax liability (beschränkte Steuerpflicht) on income and assets that have an economic connection to Switzerland. This covers income from Swiss real estate (rent, sale proceeds), income from Swiss business activities, employment income earned in Switzerland, director fees from Swiss companies, and pension payments from Swiss sources.

Rental income and property gains are taxed in the canton where the Swiss property is located, following the same rules that apply to residents. Employment income and director fees are withheld via Quellensteuer. Non-residents are generally not subject to Swiss wealth tax unless they own Swiss real estate, in which case the property is included in a notional wealth tax calculation for determining the rate applicable to the real estate.

Non-residents who receive Swiss dividends, bond interest, or bank interest have 35% Verrechnungssteuer withheld automatically. They can reclaim the portion above the applicable treaty rate by filing a refund claim with the FTA. Reporting obligations in the country of residence must be checked separately — most countries require residents to report worldwide income including Swiss-source amounts, and foreign tax credits or treaty exemptions apply to prevent double taxation.

This is general information only, not professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.