The Federal Council presents itself to FIFA

What is the difference between the Zollikofen-Münchenbuchsee BE rabbit breeders’ association and the billion-dollar world football association Fifa? There is no! At least not for federal tax officials.

Both are considered associations with an ideal purpose. So both benefit from tax reductions. Unlike companies, they only have to pay half of the tax rate of 4.25 percent. Fifa saves many millions every year in this way. And if the Federal Council has its way, it will stay that way.

The Greens are going against the grain. Group leader Aline Trede (39) finally raised her hat during the World Cup in Qatar last December: “Fifa’s ban on ‘One Love’ tapes is absolutely the last straw.”

“This is outrageous!”

A specially made bracelet was seen as a protest against the laws of World Cup host Qatar, which criminalize homosexuality, among other things. But FIFA did everything it could to prevent the action and threatened sanctions against the players. Until the connection broke.

That angered the Greens. They therefore called for the end of Fifa tax breaks in Switzerland. That a global company with a turnover in the billions “enjoys the same tax conditions as a rabbit breeders’ association is unheard of!”

The party is committed to ensuring that Fifa is taxed in the same way as other companies of its size. “FIFA should no longer be allowed to abuse its status as a ‘non-profit association’ as a tax loophole,” demands Trede. “Because FIFA is just a non-profit organization on paper.”

It’s not about the size of the club or the size of the profit

But the Federal Council wants nothing to do with it. Again. Because the Left-Green has already made several attempts in parliament to show the FIFA headquarters in Zurich the yellow card.

The world football association does not claim non-profit status, the Federal Council has now made clear. That is why the association is not tax-free. Like all other associations or foundations, it only benefits from a tax reduction.

When determining the tax rate, the law makes a distinction according to legal form, ie whether it is, for example, an association or a limited liability company. But it’s not about the size of the club or the size of the profit.

The Federal Council sees equal treatment in jeopardy

If large and small clubs were taxed differently, it would violate the principle of equal treatment in the federal constitution and the principle of taxation based on economic performance, the state government continues.

The Federal Council sees no reason “why clubs with high sales or profits should be taxed more than clubs with low sales or low profits,” he clarified. And so the next attempt to ask Fifa to pay more must also fail in parliament. (dba)

Source:Blick