How can I save on taxes?

The first thing to do when completing your tax return is to enter your work-related expenses. Transport costs (with a private vehicle or public transport) can be deducted up to a maximum of CHF 3,300, which may vary from canton to canton.

If your work-related expenses exceed the flat-rate deduction, you can opt for an effective deduction of up to CHF 2,000 per year for direct federal tax and in certain cantons. Higher expenses can be deducted on presentation of supporting documents.

You can also deduct course fees, textbooks and transport costs incurred in connection with training or further training. These are deductible up to a maximum of CHF 12,700 per year at federal level. Otherwise, the cantons set the limits for deductible further training costs.

If you own a property, you can deduct the mortgage from your taxable assets and the interest on the mortgage from your taxable income.

When it comes to the costs of maintaining your property, you can choose between the actual costs or the flat-rate deduction. Deduct the actual expenses if they exceed the flat-rate deduction and save even more on your tax return.

Renovation work on properties, which you need to plan in order to exceed the flat-rate deduction, can also be deducted from your taxable income, which can offer attractive tax savings. These include insulation work, replacing windows, installing solar panels and other energy renovations.

When completing your tax return, don't forget to include any donations to associations, NGOs or charities. Donations of CHF 100 or more are tax-deductible, up to a maximum of 20% of net taxable income.

And don't forget to declare the costs of childcare (crèche, nanny or after-school care) for your children up to the age of 14. At federal level, the maximum deduction is generally CHF 10,100 per child per year, while at cantonal level, there are disparities between the different cantons. In Geneva it is CHF 12,000, in Vaud CHF 15,000 and in some cantons it can be as much as CHF 25,000 per child per year.

Every year, you can make up for any gaps in your occupational pension provision by making voluntary contributions to your 2^nd pillar.

In this way, you can compensate financially for the years when you did not pay full contributions, and improve your financial situation when you retire. Don’t forget that the amount you pay into your 2^nd pillar each year is tax-deductible!

Before making purchases for your 2^nd pillar, it is recommended to contact an adviser linked to your pension fund to find out how much you are allowed to purchase, and what provisions and conditions need to be met in order to make these voluntary payments.

In addition to buying into the 2^nd pillar, you can also save tax by investing in a 3a pillar. This linked pension solution allows you to save capital each year and deduct the amount paid in from your taxable income.

For 2025, the maximum amount is CHF 7,258 for employees contributing to an LPP/BVG pension fund and 20% of income, up to a maximum of CHF 36,288, for self-employed people (not affiliated to a pension fund).

From 2026, it will also be possible to purchase gaps in 3a pillar contributions. As with purchases under the 2^nd pillar, the amount of these retroactive payments will be tax-deductible, allowing additional tax savings.

If you spread your pension withdrawals over several years rather than withdrawing the capital all at once, you won't have to pay a huge amount of tax. For both the 2^nd and 3^rd pillars, spread your withdrawals over the years and, if possible, do not withdraw the capital all at once. Capital withdrawals are taxed at a progressive rate.

Saving on tax is one thing, but not having to pay extra is another. Make sure you meet the final deadline for submitting your tax return so that you don't have to pay reminder fees.

What's more, in many cantons, paying tax on account before the due date entitles you to preferential interest. If you don't pay your instalments on time, you will incur negative interest when you pay your tax.