Consultation opened on the partial revision of the VAT Ordinance

14. November 2023

At its meeting on October 25, 2023, the Federal Council opened the consultation process for the partial revision of the Value Added Tax Ordinance (VATO). In particular, the revision includes the implementing provisions for the partially revised Value Added Tax Act (MWSTG), simplifications in accounting with balance and lump sum tax rates and an extended online obligation.

The partial revision of the VAT Act passed by Parliament in June implemented various motions that had been referred. These legislative changes also result in adjustments to the VAT Ordinance, for example with regard to the taxation of online platforms and the new possibility of annual invoicing.

The Federal Council is also using this opportunity to update and clarify the VAT Ordinance in other areas. Among other things, the balance and lump-sum tax rate method is to be fundamentally revised. The aim is to determine the tax liability more precisely and to simplify these accounting methods, which will benefit small and medium-sized companies in particular when accounting for VAT. As a measure to combat fraud, the reporting procedure will now also be mandatory for cash payments of CHF 15,000 or more for taxable supplies between taxable persons.

The draft also stipulates that the use of the electronic portal is mandatory for applications and notifications for the balance and lump-sum tax rate methods, annual settlement and group taxation, all of which are voluntary.

Entry into force is planned for January 1, 2025. This date is also targeted for annual billing, which requires extensive IT adjustments.

The consultation period lasts until February 8, 2024.

Source: Swiss Confederation

No guarantee can be given for the topicality and completeness.

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