We can help you recover Swiss VAT on those expenses

 

Foreign companies with a registered office (or with a permanent establishment abroad) who incur costs in Switzerland for an entrepreneurial activity are likely to be eligible for a refund on the tax it paid in Switzerland.

 

The complexity of filing such a request usually dissuades most companies from proceeding further & as a result many lose out on a potentially important source of additional income. Many businesses are also unaware that they may be entitled to such a refund. Several requirements need to be met in order to qualify and to be accepted by the Swiss authorities - these might at times seem too complex & time-consuming. 

 

Switzerland is home to many large international events in which firms exhibit their latest products or simply visit for business opportunities. The costs associated with the attendance of such events are usually significant - renting exhibition spaces, catering to large amounts of participating collaborators and many other various expenses.

 

 

If your company participated in one of the below listed events, it is likely you would be able to recover a significant amount of Swiss VAT: 

 

• World Economic Forum (in Geneva or in Davos)
• Geneva Motorshow 
• EBACE 
• SIHH / Watches & Wonders 
• ArtBasel 
• Baselworld 
• Zurich Film Festival

 

The most common expenses where Swiss VAT can be recovered are as follows:

 

• Exhibition space: If you presented your products or rented a booth
• Membership fees: Annual fees and registration fees 
• Accommodation: Hotel costs (which are especially high during events!)
• Transportation: Any limousine / car services paid by your company
• Business Meetings: Restaurants, Galas or other entertainment expenses
• Any other expenses throughout the year on business trips to Switzerland

 

What do we require from you to review your eligibility?

 

• Invoices from your Swiss vendors dating from the previous year
• Confirmation that you did not bring any goods with direct sales on Swiss territory during your visit (contracts signed for import-export of your goods/services are allowed).

 

What will we do next ?

 

• Analysis of your VAT refund entitlement
• Reviewal of your Swiss vendors invoices
• Preparation of the forms required by the Swiss VAT authorities
• Communication of the total amount you are entitled to and transferring said amount once received by the Swiss authorities

 

 

An important deadline must be kept in mind: the Swiss authorities only accept any claims until the 30th of June for a given refund request that took place the previous year. Requests are accepted between the 1st of January and the 30th of June, for the previous fiscal year.

 

Feel free to give us a call for a free analysis on whether you are eligible for VAT refunds - 10 minutes of your time is all it takes to make potentially significant savings.