Tax Errors: Wrong Reminders Sent to Those Who Already Filed (cross-border guide)

Several people in Ticino received reminders from cantonal authorities for not sending their tax declaration on time, even though they had already done so. The Division of Contributions of the DFE explained that this is a technical issue limited to paper declarations only.

Contesto

In brief - Hundreds of Ticino residents have received a notice from the cantonal authorities for not sending their tax return within the deadline. - The problem only affects paper declarations, while digital ones are not affected. - The Contributions Division of the DFE explained that it is a technical problem and that the declarations are with them. ## Tax notices sent in error On Thursday, May 22, 2026, hundreds of Ticino residents received a notice from the cantonal authorities for not sending their tax return within the deadline. The deadline for sending the declarations was April 30, but many of these residents had already complied with the law, sending the declaration even well in advance. The problem only affected paper declarations, while digital ones were not affected. The Contributions Division of the DFE explained that it is a technical problem and that the declarations are with them. The director of the Contributions Division of the DFE, Giordano Macchi, told SEIDISERA that the number of residents who received the notice despite having complied with the law is relatively high. However, it was not possible to provide an exact number, but Macchi said that the number of cases is significant enough to have alerted the offices today. Residents who received the notice reported that the tone was dry and sparse, with the warning of having to pay a fine if the sanctions were not avoided within twenty days. Many of them expressed themselves on social media, annoyed for having respected the times and having received the notice anyway. Macchi explained that the technical problem was that the control system of the cantonal authorities did not manage to register the return of the paper declarations, triggering the notices for those who had not respected the deadline....

Dettagli operativi

Implications for Cross-Border Workers Cross-border workers who received a mistaken summons may be concerned about potential penalties. However, the Contributions Division of the Federal Department of Finance (FDFA) has assured that the statements have been received and that taxpayers do not need to worry. Nevertheless, it is essential that cross-border workers check their tax situation and ensure they have respected the deadlines set by law. For cross-border workers who still intend to submit their declaration in paper format, it is advisable to do so as soon as possible to avoid potential technical issues in the future. It may also be a good idea to verify whether the declaration has been correctly registered with the cantonal authorities. For cross-border workers who have already submitted their declaration electronically, there are no issues and they can rest assured. Regarding deadlines, cross-border workers should be aware that the 2021 income tax declaration must be submitted by March 31, 2022. Anyone who fails to meet this deadline risks an administrative penalty that can reach up to CHF 1,000. In addition, the taxpayer may be subject to a more in-depth tax audit. For cross-border workers who need help with filling out their declaration, it is possible to seek the assistance of a tax consultant or accountant. Alternatively, they can use the services offered by the Contributions Office of the Canton of Ticino, which provides support and information to taxpayers. It is also essential to remember that cross-border workers who work in Switzerland must pay taxes both in Switzerland and in their country of origin. In some cases, it may be possible to request a tax credit to avoid paying taxes twice. To conclude, cross-border workers must be attentive to respecti...

Punti chiave

What to do if you received the reminder If you received the reminder by mistake, there's no need to worry. The Contributions Division of the DFE has assured that the declarations have been received and there will be no penalties. However, it's important to check your tax situation and make sure you've met the legal deadlines. If you still intend to send the declaration in paper format, it's recommended to do so as soon as possible to avoid similar technical issues in the future. It's also a good idea to verify if the declaration has been correctly registered with the cantonal authorities. For cross-border workers who have already sent the declaration electronically, there are no issues and they can rest assured. If you need further information or assistance, contact the Contributions Division of the DFE or consult the website of the Canton of Ticino's Administration. 📊 Example: Imagine you're a cross-border worker who works in Lugano and lives in Mendrisio. If you've already sent your income tax return electronically by February 28, as required by law, you don't need to do anything. However, if you received the reminder and still intend to send the declaration in paper format, it's recommended to do so as soon as possible to avoid similar technical issues in the future. 💡 Operational checklist: If you received the reminder by mistake, we recommend following this checklist to verify your tax situation: 1. Check if you've already sent the income tax return in electronic or paper format. 2. Verify if the declaration has been correctly registered with the cantonal authorities. 3. Contact the Contributions Division of the DFE or consult the website of the Canton of Ticino's Administration for further information or assistance. ⚠️ Warning: If you haven't sent the in...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"What should I do if I received a notice by mistake?","a":"Don't worry, the Contributions Division of the DFE has ensured that your declarations have been received and that there will be no penalties. Check your tax situation and make sure you have met the legal deadlines."},{"q":"How can I verify if my declaration has been registered correctly?","a":"You can contact the Contributions Division of the DFE or check the website of the Canton of Ticino's Administration to verify the status of your declaration."},{"q":"What happens if I haven't sent my paper declaration yet?","a":"If you still intend to send the paper declaration, it is recommended to do so as soon as possible to avoid similar technical issues in the future. Also, verify if the declaration has been correctly registered with the cantonal authorities."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I received a notice by mistake?
Don't worry, the Contributions Division of the DFE has ensured that your declarations have been received and that there will be no penalties. Check your tax situation and make sure you have met the legal deadlines.
How can I verify if my declaration has been registered correctly?
You can contact the Contributions Division of the DFE or check the website of the Canton of Ticino's Administration to verify the status of your declaration.
What happens if I haven't sent my paper declaration yet?
If you still intend to send the paper declaration, it is recommended to do so as soon as possible to avoid similar technical issues in the future. Also, verify if the declaration has been correctly registered with the cantonal authorities.

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