EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Limited is a Swiss company with registered seats in Switzerland providing services to clients in Switzerland.
Select your location
Local sites
Office
Zurich, Switzerland
Benno is a Swiss certified Tax Advisor, with a B.A. and an executive Master's degree in European and international business law from the University of St. Gallen.
In his 25 years of professional tax advisory experience, of which 15 years were spent as leading tax partner with the Big4, and 5 years as an in-house tax Director with a leading Swiss Bank, he led Swiss and international projects. He is also the president of the VAT commission of EXPERTsuisse and a member of the VAT consultancy body of the Swiss Federation.
Benno's latest thinking
The introduction of a new VAT exemption rule and changes in the practice of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA) require a thorough review of the VAT qualification of all services provided to investment foundations. As a result, contracts need to be amended consequently – ERP systems, VAT reporting, invoicing, input VAT corrections, pricing and profitability calculations need to be adjusted.
27 Jan 2025
Benno Suter
Governmental Funding – Incentives lead to input VAT reductions
For various reasons, the government may financially support businesses. VAT-wise public incentives such as investment contributions or cost sharing regularly qualify as subsidies. Subsidies are not subject to VAT but may limit the business’ input VAT deduction right.
04 Sept 2024
Benno Suter
Death of an intermediary – how recent court decisions on VAT impact the financial sector
The VAT exemption for securities intermediation is essential for the financial sector. Recent rulings further limit this exemption. Find out more here.
16 Aug 2024
Benno Suter
Partial revision of VAT Act agreed
After detailed discussion of the legislative proposal for the partial revision of the VAT Act in the National and State Councils, differences were resolved in the summer session of 2023 and the new law was passed in the final vote on 16 June 2023. It is currently assumed that the amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2025 - an optional referendum against the amendment to the VAT Act (with temporal effects on its entry into force) is generally possible, but unlikely.
19 Jun 2023
Benno Suter
Planned change of practice for cross border use of private cars
On 27 February 2023, a motion to improve conditions for businesses near the border was accepted by the National Council which had previously been approved by the Council of States. With the acceptance of the motion in both Chambers of the Parliament, the Federal Council is requested to amend the legal regulations (e.g., customs ordinance) so that the use of foreign registered and non-customs cleared private vehicles by cross-border commuters / weekly residents as part of their employment will be permitted for business purposes in Switzerland.
27 Mar 2023
Benno Suter
Increase in VAT rates as of 1 January 2024 already relevant in 2023
When are your systems ready to reflect the new VAT rates?
15 Dec 2022
Benno Suter