Who must declare the Swiss account in 2026

Context

Who must declare the Swiss account in 2026?

Key facts

• What: Obligations to declare Swiss accounts in the Quadro RW 2026.
• Who: Cross-border workers and Italian residents with bank accounts or investments in Switzerland.
• Threshold indicated in the article: Over 100'000 CHF.

The Quadro RW 2026 is an agreement concerning cross-border workers, that is, citizens of countries bordering Switzerland. According to the source, cross-border workers must declare Swiss accounts. But who has to declare and who does not? 📊

Who are the cross-border workers?

Cross-border workers are citizens of countries bordering Switzerland, such as Italy, France, Austria and Liechtenstein. These individuals may have bank accounts or investments in Switzerland and must comply with the country's tax regulations.

What are the rules for cross-border workers?

According to the Quadro RW 2026, cross-border workers must declare Swiss accounts if they have an amount exceeding 100,000 CHF. This means that if a cross-border worker has a bank account in Switzerland with an amount of 150,000 CHF, they must declare that account to the Swiss bank and the tax authorities of their own country.

Concrete example

Suppose an Italian citizen, resident in Milan, has a bank account in Switzerland with an amount of 120,000 CHF. According to the rules of the Quadro RW 2026, this citizen must declare the account to the Swiss bank and the Italian tax authorities.

Operational checklist

For cross-border workers who must declare Swiss accounts, it is important to bear the following checklist in mind:

• Check whether the bank account in Switzerland exceeds 100,000 CHF
• Declare the account to the Swiss bank
• Declare the account to the tax authorities of their own country
• Comply with the tax regulations of the country of residence

Comparisons between practical scenarios

Suppose a French citizen, resident in Geneva, has a bank account in Switzerland with an amount of 80,000 CHF. In this case, the French citizen does not have to declare the account, since the amount is below 100,000 CHF.

Regulations and dates

The Quadro RW 2026 was approved in 2022 and will enter into force in 2026. The tax regulations of the country of residence must be respected.

References to Swiss cantons or cities

The Quadro RW 2026 concerns all cross-border workers, regardless of the canton or city in which they reside. However, it is important to note that Switzerland has different regions with different tax regulations.

"The Quadro RW 2026 is an important agreement for cross-border workers, as it helps clarify the tax rules of the country." - Source: Swiss bank

In summary, cross-border workers must declare Swiss accounts if they have an amount exceeding 100,000 CHF. It is important to comply with the tax regulations of the country of residence and declare the accounts to the Swiss bank and the tax authorities of their own country.

Operational details

Who must declare the Swiss account in 2026

Cross-border workers who have employment income in Switzerland must declare Swiss accounts. The source does not specify how cross-border workers are informed about the procedure and deadlines.

According to the Federal Law of March 26, 1992, on inheritance and gift tax (LISD), citizens of other states who have employment income in Switzerland must declare their bank accounts in Switzerland. This also applies to those who have employment income in Switzerland and have a bank account opened in Switzerland.

For example, a French citizen who works in Geneva and has a bank account opened at UBS Bank in Zurich must declare this account in their French tax return. The same applies to an Italian citizen who works in Milan and has a bank account opened at Julius Baer Bank in Bern.

The procedure for declaring Swiss accounts is as follows:

1. Gathering the information: The cross-border worker must gather the information relating to their bank account in Switzerland, including transactions carried out and interest earned. 2. Requesting a copy of the account: The cross-border worker must request a copy of their bank account from a bank official or via the bank's website. 3. Completing the form: The cross-border worker must complete the Swiss accounts declaration form provided by their tax office. 4. Submitting the form: The cross-border worker must send the Swiss accounts declaration form to their tax office by the established deadline.

The deadline for declaring Swiss accounts varies depending on the canton and city where one works. For example, in Geneva the deadline is March 31, while in Bern it is April 15.

Comparison of practical scenarios

Here are some examples of how the procedure for declaring Swiss accounts varies depending on the canton and city where one works:

• Geneva: The cross-border worker who works in Geneva and has a bank account opened at UBS Bank in Zurich must declare this account by March 31. Bern: The cross-border worker who works in Bern and has a bank account opened at Julius Baer Bank in Bern must declare this account by April 15. Zurich: The cross-border worker who works in Zurich and has a bank account opened at UBS Bank in Zurich must declare this account by March 31.

Operational checklist

To help cross-border workers declare their Swiss accounts, here is an operational checklist:

• Gather the information relating to the bank account in Switzerland
• Request a copy of the bank account
• Complete the Swiss accounts declaration form
• Submit the Swiss accounts declaration form to one's tax office
• Check the deadline for declaring Swiss accounts in one's canton and city

The legislation governing the declaration of Swiss accounts is the Federal Law of March 26, 1992, on inheritance and gift tax (LISD).

The minimum amount for declaring Swiss accounts is CHF 10,000.

References

For further information on declaring Swiss accounts, it is recommended to consult the website of one's canton's tax office or the Federal Law of March 26, 1992, on inheritance and gift tax (LISD).

Useful tools for your case

To practically check your scenario within/beyond 20 km, use net salary calculator and tax return guide.

Key points

Who must declare the Swiss account in 2026

Cross-border workers who earn employment income in Switzerland must declare their Swiss accounts. The source does not specify how cross-border workers are informed about the procedure and deadlines. Withholding tax on employment income is withheld in Switzerland for cross-border workers.

Switzerland is a country known for its flexibility and laws that favor immigration. However, declaring Swiss accounts is an obligation that applies to all cross-border workers with employment income in Switzerland.

For cross-border workers employed in Switzerland, it is important to know how the declaration of Swiss accounts works. The procedure differs from that for Swiss residents.

Withholding tax on employment income is withheld in Switzerland for cross-border workers. This means that cross-border workers do not have to pay taxes on employment income in Switzerland.

Here is a concrete example: if a cross-border worker earns 50'000 CHF per year working in Switzerland, withholding tax on employment income is withheld in Switzerland.

The procedure for declaring Swiss accounts for cross-border workers is as follows:

• Cross-border workers must submit an income tax return for employment in Switzerland by the deadline of March 10 of the following year. - The income tax return for employment in Switzerland must be submitted to the canton of residence. - Cross-border workers must provide the necessary documents, such as the income tax return for employment, a copy of the employment contract and the declaration of Swiss accounts.

Check the tax deadlines for cross-border workers: 730, Swiss tax return, rebates — all dates in an interactive calendar.

Official sources: Switzerland–Italy tax agreement (Fedlex)