After the OECD’s yes to tax reform: now it’s probably raining subsidies

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Rarely has there been a bigger yes to economic reform: 78.5 percent of the Swiss say yes to the OECD minimum tax. From 2024, internationally operating companies with an annual turnover of 750 million euros or more must pay a minimum of 15 percent tax on their profits.

75 percent of the extra income remains in the cantons, the rest goes to the federal government. This division was the point of contention. And the battle for billions is not over after Sunday.

The law is likely to come in 2026

Firstly, due to lack of time, the Bundesrat has not regulated the minimum tax in a law, but in a general constitutional amendment and an ordinance. The law has yet to come – according to Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (59) after 2026. “Then we will know better how much additional tax revenue can really be generated.”

Then the distribution battles start all over again. SP co-chair Cédric Wermuth (37) first announced on Blick TV that his party would demand a higher federal share, “so that the money does not stay with the rich companies, but comes down”.

subsidies for higher taxes

Second, the left will watch eagle-eyed as the cantons – especially Basel and Zug, now seen as major beneficiaries of the reform – use the extra revenue. It is expected that they will reach into the subsidy box and specifically support those companies that have to pay more tax.

Economiesuisse demands that the Confederation and the cantons invest the extra resources in strengthening new location factors. For the umbrella organisation, this not only concerns daycare centers and good train connections, but also subsidies for a company to use climate-friendly heating. The possibilities are great. A supplement to specialist wages and pension premiums would also be possible. In this way, companies would even be relieved of the wage payments and employee contributions to the pension fund.

Wermuth therefore fears that the new tax revenue will simply end up with the corporations again. That would not be a problem for FDP chairman Thierry Burkart (47), because they would create jobs. That would benefit people.

Source:Blick