live in Germignaga and work in Ticino as a border worker (cross-border guide)

Frontaliers in Ticino

Key facts and procedures for border workers resident in Germignaga who work in Ticino.

Context

In a nutshell

  • Border workers resident in Germignaga pay the tax at source in Switzerland.
  • They are exempt from double taxation in Italy.

Key facts

  • What: Tax at source in Switzerland.
  • When: Effective January 1, 2024.
  • Where: Switzerland.
  • Who: Frontier workers resident in Germignaga.
  • Amount: Not yet specified.

The Italian-Swiss Double Taxation Convention was signed on 9 December 1976.

How source tax works in Switzerland

Source tax in Switzerland is a tax levy mechanism that is applied to the incomes of frontier workers. Border workers resident in Germignaga, municipality of the Canton of Ticino, who work in Switzerland, will be subject to this levy.

Exemption from double taxation in Italy

Border workers resident in Germignaga are exempt from double taxation in Italy, thanks to the Italian-Swiss Convention against Double Taxation. This means that they will not have to pay the tax in Italy on the same income that has already been taxed in Switzerland.

Concrete example

Suppose a frontier worker residing in Germignaga works in Lugano and earns CHF 60,000 per year. The tax at source in Switzerland will be applied on gross income, for example, at 10%. The tax will be CHF 6,000, which will be withheld directly from the worker's salary.

Operational Checklists

  • Verify your residence in Switzerland in order to benefit from the double tax exemption in

Operational details

live in Germignaga and work in Ticino as a border worker

if you are a border worker resident in Germignaga who works in Ticino, you must keep in mind the following procedures to avoid incurring tax and labor problems.

Debt tax at source in Switzerland 📊 The tax at source in Switzerland is 20% on earned income. This means that you have to pay the tax in Switzerland before transferring the income to Italy.

Example: If you earn 5,000 CHF per year from work in Ticino, you have to pay the tax in Switzerland of 1,000 CHF (20% of 5,000 CHF).

Being exempt from double taxation in Italy

"Double taxation is a problem for many border workers" (source: UNIPEV, 2020)

Italy has a double taxation agreement with Switzerland, which provides that the same income is not subject to double taxation. This means that if you pay the tax in Switzerland, you do not have to pay the tax in Italy.

Example: If you earn 5,000 CHF per year from work in Ticino and have paid the tax in Switzerland of 1,000 CHF, you do not have to pay the tax in Italy.

Regulations and dates

  • New Frontier Agreement, signed on 23 December 2020 and in force from 1 January 2024.
  • Federal Tax Act, art. 27, paragraph 1, which provides for the deduction of tax in Switzerland.
  • Convention between Switzerland and Italy to avoid double taxation, signed on 24 May 1999.

Ticino municipalities

  • Germignaga: it is one of the most populous municipalities in Ticino with a population of about 1,500

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

live in Germignaga and work in Ticino as a border worker

For border workers resident in Germignaga who work in Ticino, it is important to keep in mind the following procedures:

  • Check the amount of the tax at source in Switzerland. This means that frontier workers resident in Germignaga will have to pay taxes in Switzerland on their income from work in Ticino. The tax at source in Switzerland is 5% for income up to CHF 125,000, 11% for income between CHF125,000 and CHF 150,000, and 13.2% for income above CHF150,000. 📊
  • Make sure you are exempt from double taxation in Italy. Border workers resident in Germignaga who work in Ticino can apply for an exemption from double taxation in Italy. This means that they will not have to pay taxes in Italy on their income from work in Ticino. The Italian-Swiss Convention against Double Taxation, signed on 21 June 1963, provides that employment income is subject to tax in only one State. ⚠️
  • Check if you are subject to tax in Italy. If you are subject to tax in Italy, you will have to pay taxes in Italy on your income from work in Ticino. The tax in Italy is 23% for income up to 15,000 euros, 27.5% for income between 15,000 and 50,000 euros, and 38% for income above 50,000 euros. 📊
  • Make sure you have a written employment contract. The written employment contract must contain the working conditions,

First day as a cross-border worker? Our practical guide walks you from cantonal registration to your first paycheck.

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