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ECHO SA
Taxation and legal
« The hardest thing in the world to understand is income taxes. »
-
Albert Einstein
ECHO SA

Taxation and legal

Sustainable approach

In a society characterised by a never-ending increase in the number of standards, ECHO SA firmly believes that compliance of the proposed solutions with the applicable standards is an absolute necessity. The approach we propose is one which is resolutely accountable.

A team of experts

ECHO SA’s Tax and Legal Department brings together a group of specialists in Swiss and international taxation whose complementary training in law and economics make a multidisciplinary approach possible.

Advising individuals and legal entities

We are in a position to provide the best advice to individuals as well as legal entities and corporate groups while ensuring we provide the appropriate stability for the solutions developed for our clients.

On-going professional development

ECHO SA encourages its experts to undertake continuing professional development, so we can offer clients real value added in a rapidly and constantly changing world.

27
diplomas

Our services encompass the following activities

Taxation for Swiss and international companies

  • assistance for start-ups, individual companies and SMEs
  • advice for companies setting up in Switzerland
  • tax planning for cross-border businesses and intra-group operations
  • profit participation and variable remuneration plans (stock options, bonuses)
  • taxation of companies in financial difficulties (rehabilitations)
  • restructuring operations, merger and acquisition (M&A) taxation according to the Swiss and international systems
  • reviewing and bringing into line with BEPS OCDE standards (Base Erosion & Profit Shifting)

Self-employed Individuals

  • taxation and social security for individuals
  • conversion of sole traders into companies with share capital
  • tax planning for retirement or cessation of activity

Property planning and taxation

  • inheritance and property planning, gratuitous transfers
  • structuring and ways of holding your wealth in Switzerland and
  • property taxation
  • foundations, trusts and other investment vehicles

International and expat families

  • tax advice when arriving in Switzerland, changing domicile, moving abroad
  • Swiss residence or work permits, withholding tax and social security
  • taxation according to lifestyle expenses (lump-sum)
  • Swiss and foreign pension plans
  • diplomates and international civil servants

Acquisitions and sales of businesses

  • advice in respect of acquisitions and sales of businesses
  • tax due diligence: conducting pre-acquisition taxation and/or statutory audits of a business
  • shareholder agreements

Taxation for the Financial and Insurance sectors

  • advice to financial intermediaries, such as banks, wealth managers and insurance companies
  • investment funds: advice to funds, their managers and investors with a view to optimising taxation of collective investments and structured products
  • private equity: fiscal and legal structuring of capital investment transactions

Non-profit organisations

  • establishing and managing foundations and associations
  • tax exemption of public utility organisations

VAT and customs

  • advice about VAT and customs for Swiss and foreign businesses regarding their operations in Switzerland and their cross-border transactions
  • Swiss VAT liability of foreign companies: the formalities of registration, VAT taxation representative
  • declarations and regular returns to ensure compliance with regard to VAT
  • import and export declarations

Defending the taxpayer and taxation procedures

  • claims, remedies and tax disputes - voluntary declarations
  • voluntary declarations
  • representation before the tax authorities and negotiation about rulings with these authorities
  • administrative assistance in tax matters, automatic exchange of information (AEOI)

Tax returns

  • annual tax returns
  • formalities and corrections for withholding tax
  • apportionment between Swiss cantons
  • formalities for the avoidance of international double taxation
  • declarations for gains on immovable property, on inheritance and gifts