Swiss voters reject corporate tax overhaul

Voters in Switzerland have stunned the political establishment by rejecting a reform system that would have introduced the country’s corporate tax method in line with intercontinental norms.

The tax reforms, which ended up extensively supported by the small business neighborhood, would have taken off a established of special low-tax privileges that experienced encouraged numerous multinational providers to set up shop in Switzerland.

Professionals say the long run of Switzerland’s tax technique is now unclear. The vote result could build head aches for firms that had been banking on their implementation, and discourage businesses who experienced been contemplating a go to the nation.

“They do not know what [tax] steps will be offered… That is not a incredibly sound foundation for earning financial investment selections,” Peter Uebelhart, head of tax at KPMG in Switzerland, claimed in a video statement.

Switzerland has arrive less than extreme stress from G20 and OECD nations in recent yrs to cleanse up its tax program. The state operates the possibility of getting “blacklisted” by other nations if it does not alter its tax method by 2019.

Quite a few voters turned down the tax reform bundle more than fears it may lessen the total of profits collected by the government, according to Stefan Kuhn, head of corporate tax at KPMG in Switzerland. That could have direct to tax hikes on the middle course.

The present-day tax program provides preferential procedure to some firms with huge international functions. International tax authorities say the regulations amount of money to unfair company subsidies.

Martin Naville, head of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, stated it can be feasible that voters didn’t fully grasp the complexities of the reforms. The measures ended up turned down by 59% of voters.

“I consider it truly is a very negative working day for Switzerland,” Naville stated. “Obviously, the uncertainty and the trustworthiness in the Swiss [system] has taken a enormous hit.”

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Swiss authorities say they will go immediately to make a modified tax reform proposal. Naville stated he hopes new rules are devised within the upcoming handful of months.

“All stakeholders now have to take responsibility to develop an acceptable competitive tax technique, and to regain reliability with regards to the famed political security which gave Switzerland these types of an useful place,” he stated in a statement.

Naville hinted that possible tax reforms in the U.S. and U.K. could tempt Swiss-primarily based firms to relocate, putting far more stress on Switzerland’s tax foundation.

CNNMoney (London) Initially published February 13, 2017: 10:10 AM ET