What does the AFC CRS Directive update provide for?

The update of the technical directive on the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), published on 4 September 2026 by the Federal Tax Administration (FTA), complements the new international reporting obligations. The revision requires financial operators to adopt the new XML CRS 3.0 scheme promoted by the OECD, which is necessary to ensure maximum transparency in the automatic exchange of information. This operational change requires financial institutions to adapt their IT systems to support the new technical specifications and more detailed variables introduced by the protocol.

What are the key deadlines for financial institutions?

The new legislation is in force from 1 January 2026. As far as the technical aspect is concerned, the adoption of the XML CRS 3.0 schema becomes mandatory from 1 January 2027. By this critical date, financial institutions must complete the migration of their management systems, train staff and test data transmission flows to avoid penalties or operational blockages during communications with the competent authorities.

What should companies do to ensure compliance?

Companies must coordinate IT, Compliance and Tax departments to implement the CRS 3.0 scheme. It is necessary to consult the technical documentation of the AFC, check the compatibility of existing databases and plan transmission tests before the end of 2026. It is recommended to appoint a dedicated project manager and train staff so that the processing of sensitive data complies with current confidentiality directives, thus ensuring the operational integrity and tax compliance required by international standards.

New CRS technical directive: obligations from 2026 (cross-border guide)

Di Marco Ferrari · Published on 4 September 2026

Financial documents and computer in a Swiss office

The AFC updates the CRS standard: from 1 January 2026 new reporting obligations and adoption of the mandatory XML 3.0 schema from 2027.

Context

In brief

Update of the technical directive for CRS.
New communication obligations effective from January 1, 2026.
Introduction of the OECD XML CRS 3.0 schema.
Obligation to use the new schema from January 1, 2027.

Key facts

What: Update of CRS/SCC technical directive
When: Published on September 4, 2026
Where: Switzerland
Who: Federal Tax Administration (FTA)
Legislation: CRS revision effective from January 1, 2026
Standard: Use of OECD XML CRS 3.0 schema

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) has published, on September 4, 2026, an official communication regarding the update of the technical directive related to the Common Reporting Standard for information and adequate verification in tax matters, known as CRS or "SCC". This revision was necessary to integrate the new communication obligations arising from the international regulatory framework in force in Switzerland since January 1, 2026. The directive precisely defines the technical requirements necessary for financial operators to align with the updated protocols.

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Operational details

The update of the CRS technical directive represents an important milestone for the information exchange infrastructure in Switzerland. With the adoption of the CRS 3.0 XML schema, the AFC sets a new qualitative standard for the management of tax data flows. Unlike the previous period, where standards were less restrictive or based on previous versions, the new protocol requires greater precision in tracking financial accounts. This change has direct implications for the daily operational management of financial institutions and the compliance of data transmitted at national and international levels.

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Key points

To address the transition to the XML CRS 3.0 schema, institutions and financial advisors must follow a rigorous technical update procedure. Firstly, it is necessary to consult the updated documentation provided by the AFC, which details the specific requirements for the new format. A simple review of existing databases is not sufficient; compatibility verification between internal systems and OECD validation requirements is required. The deadline of January 1, 2027, must be considered as a firm deadline for the implementation of all reporting processes. Entities must plan transmission tests before the end of the year to resolve any anomalies in the XML format.

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Source: admin.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the AFC CRS Directive update provide for?: The update of the technical directive on the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), published on 4 September 2026 by the Federal Tax Administration (FTA), complements the new international reporting obligations. The revision requires financial operators to adopt the new XML CRS 3.0 scheme promoted by the OECD, which is necessary to ensure maximum transparency in the automatic exchange of information. This operational change requires financial institutions to adapt their IT systems to support the new t
What are the key deadlines for financial institutions?: The new legislation is in force from 1 January 2026. As far as the technical aspect is concerned, the adoption of the XML CRS 3.0 schema becomes mandatory from 1 January 2027. By this critical date, financial institutions must complete the migration of their management systems, train staff and test data transmission flows to avoid penalties or operational blockages during communications with the competent authorities.
What should companies do to ensure compliance?: Companies must coordinate IT, Compliance and Tax departments to implement the CRS 3.0 scheme. It is necessary to consult the technical documentation of the AFC, check the compatibility of existing databases and plan transmission tests before the end of 2026. It is recommended to appoint a dedicated project manager and train staff so that the processing of sensitive data complies with current confidentiality directives, thus ensuring the operational integrity and tax compliance required by intern