PwC’s tax comparison 2021
www.pwc.ch/taxcomparison
Contents
Comparison of taxes for corporations and individuals 4
Comparing taxes: legal entities 5
2021 corporate tax rates in Switzerland 6
2021 corporate tax rates in the EU and Switzerland 7
2021 corporate tax rates in OECD and G20 countries 8
Comparing taxes: natural persons 9
2021 tax burden for individuals (100,000 CHF net income) 10
2021 tax burden for individuals (250,000 CHF net income) 12
2021 tax burden for individuals (marginal tax rate) 14
Your contacts 16
3 PwC’s tax comparison 2021
Comparison of taxes for corporations and individuals
Comparing taxes: legal entities
PwC’s tax comparison is designed to give you a quick overview of tax rates for corporations and individuals.Tax rates for individuals vary depending on their taxable income.
You can compare the cantonal tax rates at three levels, with a taxable income of 100,000 CHF, 250,000 CHF and the marginal tax rate.
When it comes to corporate tax, we also offer a worldwide comparison. Whether you want to compare
tax rates in the canton of Thurgau with those in Chile or see how Hong Kong compares with Germany, the international tax comparison tool allows you to examine all the permutations.
The map of Switzerland featured in this document shows tax rates for the capital of each canton. You’ll also find this information and a lot more on our interactive map.
Put together your own comparisons, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Armin Marti Partner Leader Tax Policy
Stefan Schmid Partner Leader International Tax Services
Kornel Wick Director Tax & Legal Services
13.94%Schaffhausen
13.04%Basel-Stadt
17.02%Jura
17.97%Basel-Landschaft
18.55%Aargau
13.36%Thurgau
15.75%Solothurn
13.57%Neuchâtel
13.99%Fribourg
14.00%Vaud
14.00%Geneva
18.57%Valais
21.04%Berne
12.32%Lucerne
12.74%Obwalden
11.97%Nidwalden
12.63%Uri
12.33%Glarus
14.06%Schwyz
11.85%Zug
19.70%Zurich
14.50%St Gall
14.77%Grisons
12.66%Appenzell Innerrhoden
13.04%Appenzell Ausserrhoden
19.16%Ticino
Low tax rates High tax rates
Corporate tax rates were cut in 12 cantons compared to 2020.
The map below shows very clearly that the cantons of Berne, Zurich and Ticino have some of the highest tax rates in the country, while tax rates are significantly lower in central Switzerland.
A further reduction in tax rates, which are already attractive by international standards, can be achieved, for example, through the additional deduction of R&D costs, the patent box deduction and the deduction on net equity (only in the canton of Zurich).
Further details are available here.
PwC’s tax comparison 2021 4 5 PwC’s tax comparison 2021
2021 corporate tax rates in Switzerland
2021 corporate tax rates in the EU and Switzerland
Within the cantons themselves, corporate tax rates vary considerably depending on where an entity is located or moving to. There are various cantons with an uniform tax
The Swiss cantons with the lowest tax rates are attractive compared to the lowest tax rates of the EU countries. With a tax burden twice as high, the highest-tax cantons rank in mid-table internationally.
rate for all municipalities, while in other cantons the tax rate may vary due to municipality-dependent multipliers. The table shows the rate for the cantonal capital.
The lowest tax cantons on the other hand are near the top of the ranking. The chart compares the corporate tax rates in Zug and Berne with the tax rates in all EU countries.
2021 corporate tax rates in Switzerland 2021 corporate tax rates in the EU and Switzerland
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
2021 tax burden in cantonal capital
1. Zug
2. Nidwalden
3. Lucerne
4. Glarus
5. Uri
6. Appenzell Innerrhoden
7. Obwalden
8. Appenzell Ausserrhoden
9. Basel-Stadt
10. Thurgau
11. Neuchâtel
12. Schaffhausen
13. Fribourg
14. Vaud
15. Geneva
16. Schwyz
17. St Gall
18. Grisons
19. Solothurn
20. Jura
21. Basel-Landschaft
22. Aargau
23. Valais
24. Ticino
25. Zurich
26. Berne
13.04%
14.00%
13.94%
12.74%
12.32%
12.33%
12.63%
12.66%
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
Uniform tax rate
11.85%
11.97%
13.04%
13.57%
14.00%
14.50%
14.77%
15.75%
17.02%
19.16%
18.57%
21.04%
14.06%
17.97%
18.55%
13.36%
13.99%
19.70%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
* Note: special tax refund rules apply
2021 corporate tax rate
9.00%
10.00%
11.85%
12.50%
15.00%
16.00%
18.00%
19.00%
19.00%
19.00%
20.00%
20.00%
20.00%
21.00%
21.00%
20.60%
22.00%
24.00%
22.00%
21.04%
25.00%
25.00%
25.00%
25.00%
25.00%
24.94%
28.00%
35.00%
1. Hungary
2. Bulgaria
3. Switzerland (Zug)
4. Cyprus
5. Lithuania
6. Romania
7. Croatia
8. Poland
9. Slovenia
10. Czech Republic
11. Estonia
12. Finnland
13. Latvia
14. Sweden
15. Portugal
16. Slowak Republic
17. Switzerland (Berne)
18. Denmark
19. Greece
20. Italy
21. Luxembourg
22. Ireland
23. Netherlands
24. Austria
25. Spain
26. Belgium
27. France
28. Malta*
29. Germany 36.00%
PwC’s tax comparison 2021 6 7 PwC’s tax comparison 2021
2021 corporate tax rates in OECD and G20 countries
Comparing taxes: individuals
The Swiss cantons with the lowest tax rates are attractive compared to the lowest tax rates in the OECD/G20.
With tax rates twice as high, the highest-tax cantons rank in mid-table internationally.
Income tax rates in Switzerland vary considerably from canton to canton and from municipality to municipality. For example, Zug has the lowest rate of any cantonal capital for a taxable income of 100,000 CHF (9.60%) and Neuchâtel the highest (23.20%). Maximum marginal tax rates for high incomes range from 22.20% in Zug, all the way up to 45.00% in Geneva.
Find out where your canton of residence is located tax-wise compared to other cantons. Here you will find an interactive map of Switzerland, with which you can make your own comparison.
We present an overview of the cantons on the next few pages.
2021 corporate tax rates: OECD and G20 countries
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
9.00%
11.85%
19.00%
19.00%
19.00%
19.00%
20.00%
20.00%
20.00%
20.00%
20.00%
21.00%
21.00%
22.00%
22.00%
22.00%
20.60%
23.00%
24.00%
22.00%
24.94%
21.04%
25.00%
25.00%
25.00%
25.00%
28.00%
30.00%
30.00%
28.00%
25.00%
1. Hungary
2. Switzerland (Zug)
3. Slovenia
4. United Kingdom
5. Czech Republic
6. Poland
7. Finland
8. Russia
9. Saudi-Arabien
10. Latvia
11. Estonia
12. Sweden
13. Slovak Republic
14. Portugal
15. Switzerland (Berne)
16. Turkey
17. Denmark
18. Indonesia
19. Greece
20. Israel
21. Italy
22. Luxembourg
23. Ireland
24. Norway
25. South Korea
26. Netherlands
27. China
28. Spain
29. Austria
30. Belgium
31. Chile
32. South Africa
33. New Zealand
35. France
35. Argentina
36. Australia
37. Mexico
38. Japan
39. United States of America
40. Brazil
41. Germany
42. Canada
43. India
28.00%
34.00%
25.00%
30.00%
33.00%
25.00%
25.00%
44.00%
38.00%
27.00%
36.00%
30.62%
2021 corporate tax rate
9 PwC’s tax comparison 2021PwC’s tax comparison 2021 8
2021 tax burden for individuals(100,000 CHF taxable income)
The map shows tax rates for each cantonal capital. The figures are for a taxable income of 100,000 CHF. In this scenario Canton Zug has the lowest tax rate of 9.60%.
The most expensive place for a taxable income of 100,000 CHFis Neuchâtel. The tax rate there is 23.20 percent and therefore more than twice as high as in Zug.
18.00%Schaffhausen
19.80%Basel-Stadt
21.00%Jura
21.90%Basel-Landschaft
17.20%Aargau
17.30%Thurgau
20.00%Solothurn
23.20%Neuchâtel
20.90%Fribourg
22.10%Vaud
21.30%Geneva
20.00%Valais
21.00%Berne
17.00%Lucerne
14.00%Obwalden
15.00%Nidwalden
14.50%Uri
16.10%Glarus
13.40%Schwyz
9.60%Zug
15.90%Zurich
20.50%St Gall
17.10%Grisons
13.30%Appenzell Innerrhoden
18.60%Appenzell Ausserrhoden
18.90%Ticino
2021 tax burden for individuals (sorted by tax rate for a taxable income of 100,000 CHF)
0% 10% 20% 30%
100,000 CHF taxable income
15.90%
16.10%
17.00%
17.10%
17.20%
17.30%
18.00%
18.60%
18.90%
19.80%
20.00%
20.00%
20.50%
20.90%
21.00%
21.00%
21.30%
21.90%
22.10%
23.20%
9.60%
13.30%
13.40%
14.00%
14.50%
15.00%
1. Zug
2. Appenzell Innerrhoden
3. Schwyz
4. Obwalden
5. Uri
6. Nidwalden
7. Zurich
8. Glarus
9. Lucerne
10. Grisons
11. Aargau
12. Thurgau
13. Schaffhausen
14. Appenzell Ausserrhoden
15. Ticino
16. Basel-Stadt
17. Solothurn
18. Valais
19. St Gall
20. Fribourg
21. Berne
22. Jura
23. Geneva
24. Basel-Landschaft
25. Vaud
26. Neuchâtel
Zug
Appenzell
Schwyz
Sarnen
Altdorf
Stans
Zurich
Glarus
Lucerne
Chur
Aarau
Frauenfeld
Schaffhausen
Herisau
Bellinzona
Basel
Solothurn
Sitten
St Gall
Fribourg
Berne
Delsberg
Geneva
Liestal
Lausanne
Neuchâtel
The chart below shows the tax rates for the different cantonal capitals. However, in some cases there are big differences within individual cantons. In this scenario,
for example, the highest tax rate in Canton Neuchâtel is 24.80% in the municipality of Enges, compared to 23.20% in the canton’s capital, Neuchâtel.
Low tax rates High tax rates
11 PwC’s tax comparison 2021PwC’s tax comparison 2021 10
2021 tax burden for individuals(250,000 CHF taxable income)
The map shows tax rates for each cantonal capital. The figures are for a taxable income of 250,000 CHF. This ranking is also headed by the municipality of Zug with an attractive tax rate of 18.10%.
Lausanne, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the list with a tax rate of 34.60%.
2021 tax burden for individuals (sorted by tax rate for a taxable income of 250,000 CHF)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
250,000 CHF taxable income
27.80%
25.10%
26.50%
26.60%
26.10%
27.20%
27.30%
29.90%
28.60%
29.50%
31.70%
29.70%
31.70%
31.70%
31.80%
34.50%
33.40%
34.60%
33.30%
18.10%
21.20%
20.20%
20.20%
21.00%
21.80%
1. Zug
2. Appenzell Innerrhoden
3. Obwalden
4. Uri
5. Schwyz
6. Nidwalden
7. Glarus
8. Lucerne
9. Thurgau
10. Grisons
11. Aargau
12. Appenzell Ausserrhoden
13. Schaffhausen
14. Zurich
15. Basel-Stadt
16. Solothurn
17. St Gall
18. Ticino
19. Berne
20. Fribourg
21. Jura
22. Valais
23. Neuchâtel
24. Basel-Landschaft
25. Geneva
26. Vaud
Zug
Appenzell
Sarnen
Altdorf
Schwyz
Stans
Glarus
Lucerne
Frauenfeld
Chur
Aarau
Herisau
Schaffhausen
Zurich
Basel
Solothurn
St Gall
Bellinzona
Berne
Fribourg
Delsberg
Sitten
Neuchâtel
Liestal
Geneva
Lausanne
25.10%
The chart below shows the tax rates for the different cantonal capitals. Rates may vary slightly by municipality due to different communal multipliers, except for Glarus which is the only canton with a uniform tax rate across all municipalities.
You can do further comparisons online here.
27.30%Schaffhausen
28.60%Basel-Stadt
31.70%Jura
33.40%Basel-Landschaft
26.60%Aargau
26.10%Thurgau
29.50%Solothurn
33.30%Neuchâtel
31.70%Fribourg
34.60%Vaud
34.50%Geneva
31.80%Valais
31.70%Berne
25.10%Lucerne
20.20%Obwalden
21.80%Nidwalden
21.00%Uri
25.10%Glarus
21.20%Schwyz
18.10%Zug
27.80%Zurich
29.70%St Gall
26.50%Grisons
20.20%Appenzell Innerrhoden
27.20%Appenzell Ausserrhoden
29.90%Ticino
Low tax rates High tax rates
13 PwC’s tax comparison 2021PwC’s tax comparison 2021 12
2021 tax burden for individuals(marginal tax rate)
The map shows tax rates for each cantonal capital. The figures refer to the marginal tax rate. The municipality of Zug is again at the top of the ranking with a tax rate of 22.20%.
At the bottom of the list is the city of Geneva, where the tax rate of 45.00% is more than twice as high as in Zug.
2021 tax burden for individuals(sorted according to marginal tax rate)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Marginal tax rate
40.00%
31.10%
31.20%
32.20%
34.50%
32.40%
30.80%
30.70%
40.10%
40.50%
33.70%
36.50%
33.30%
35.50%
41.20%
41.20%
45.00%
42.20%
41.50%
38.10%
22.20%
23.80%
26.80%
24.30%
25.30%
25.60%
1. Zug
2. Appenzell Innerrhoden
3. Obwalden
4. Uri
5. Nidwalden
6. Schwyz
7. Appenzell Ausserrhoden
8. Schaffhausen
9. Glarus
10. Lucerne
11. Grisons
12. Thurgau
13. St Gall
14. Solothurn
15. Aargau
16. Fribourg
17. Valais
18. Neuchâtel
19. Zurich
20. Ticino
21. Basel-Stadt
22. Berne
23. Jura
24. Vaud
25. Basel-Landschaft
26. Geneva
Zug
Appenzell
Sarnen
Altdorf
Stans
Schwyz
Herisau
Schaffhausen
Glarus
Lucerne
Chur
Frauenfeld
St Gall
Solothurn
Aarau
Fribourg
Sitten
Neuchâtel
Zurich
Bellinzona
Basel
Berne
Delsberg
Lausanne
Liestal
Geneva
Depending on the level of income, it makes sense to compare applicable tax rates across cantons and municipalities. Even though the municipality of Zug has the lowest marginal tax rate of any cantonal capital, the rate in the municipality of Wollerau in the canton of Schwyz is actually slightly lower at 21.90%.
Do your own personal comparison online here.
30.80%Schaffhausen
40.50%Basel-Stadt
41.20%Jura
42.20%Basel-Landschaft
34.50%Aargau
32.40%Thurgau
33.70%Solothurn
38.10%Neuchâtel
35.50%Fribourg
41.50%Vaud
45.00%Geneva
36.50%Valais
41.20%Berne
31.20%Lucerne
24.30%Obwalden
25.60%Nidwalden
25.30%Uri
31.10%Glarus
26.80%Schwyz
22.20%Zug
40.00%Zurich
33.30%St Gall
32.20%Grisons
23.80%Appenzell Innerrhoden
30.70%Appenzell Ausserrhoden
40.10%Ticino
Low tax rates High tax rates
15 PwC’s tax comparison 2021PwC’s tax comparison 2021 14
© 2021 PwC. All rights reserved. ‘PwC’ refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity.
Your contacts
Tax services for corporate entities
Tax services for private clients
Armin Marti Partner and Leader Tax Policy +41 58 792 43 43 [email protected]
Kornel Wick Director Tax & Legal Services +41 58 792 42 48 [email protected]
Stefan Schmid Partner and Leader International Tax Services +41 58 792 44 82 [email protected]