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October 9, 2026
US Child Tax Credit in Switzerland: Don't Lose the $1,700 Refund
You can claim the US Child Tax Credit while living in Switzerland, but choosing the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion often wipes out the refundable part—up to $1,700 per child. Filing the Foreign Tax Credit instead usually preserves it. Here's how the credits work and how to claim them.
Read the insightOctober 8, 2026
US Estimated Tax Payments: 2026 Deadlines, Safe Harbor, How to Pay
If you live in Switzerland and expect to owe the IRS at least $1,000 after withholding, you generally need to make quarterly estimated payments. The expat filing extension does not move the April 15 payment deadline. Safe harbor rules can prevent penalties; payments from Switzerland work via US bank transfer, card, or international wire.
Read the insightOctober 7, 2026
Swiss Wealth Tax for Americans: Canton Rates & Form 1116
Switzerland has no federal wealth tax. Instead, your canton and commune tax your worldwide net assets every year, and the US gives no foreign tax credit for it. Rates vary roughly sevenfold, so the canton you choose can mean a five-figure annual difference.
Read the insightOctober 6, 2026
Behind on US Taxes in Switzerland? The Zero-Penalty SFOP Path
If you live in Switzerland and are behind on US tax returns or FBARs, the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP) is the IRS's zero-penalty catch-up path for non-willful failures. You file three years of returns, six years of FBARs, and Form 14653 — no penalties, just tax and interest due.
Read the insightOctober 5, 2026
Switzerland-US Split Time: How to Close the Health Insurance Gap
If you split time between Switzerland and the US, neither Swiss basic insurance nor Medicare covers both sides. The practical fix is usually mandatory KVG for Switzerland plus an international health plan that either includes or excludes US coverage, depending on how many days you spend stateside.
Read the insightOctober 4, 2026
Swiss Health Insurance 2027: The November 30 Deadline and Your US Taxes
If you want to change your Swiss mandatory health insurance (KVG) provider, deductible, or model for 2027, your written cancellation must reach your current insurer by November 30, 2026. For US filers, premiums may also affect Form 7206 or Schedule A. This guide walks through the mechanics.
Read the insightOctober 2, 2026
Owning a Swiss GmbH or AG as a US Citizen: Form 5471 and NCTI
If you own 10% or more of a Swiss GmbH or AG—or sit on its board—the IRS can tax your share of corporate profits even when the money stays in the company. Form 5471 filing is mandatory, penalties can reach $60,000 per year, and Subpart F/NCTI may apply.
Read the insightSeptember 29, 2026
RSU and Stock Options in Switzerland: FEIE Trap and FTC
RSUs are taxed at vesting, not when you sell. The US treats the fair market value as ordinary income, and Switzerland typically withholds Quellensteuer through sell-to-cover. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion usually won't shield RSUs, but Foreign Tax Credits on Form 1116 can offset Swiss tax. Workday sourcing during the vesting period decides how much is creditable.
Read the insightSeptember 28, 2026
Swiss Savings Life Insurance Isn't 'Life Insurance' Under IRC 7702
A Swiss savings-style cash-value life insurance policy usually does not qualify as a life insurance contract under IRC 7702. That means the policy's cash-value growth is taxed to you as ordinary income each year — even before you can touch the money — and the death benefit exclusion shrinks.
Read the insightSeptember 27, 2026
Swiss Lump-Sum Tax for Americans: Lower Swiss Bill, US Credit Question
A Swiss lump-sum tax (forfait fiscal) can legally lower the Swiss bill for a wealthy, non-working US arrival, but it does not reduce US worldwide tax. The levy is assessed on living expenses, not income, so whether it credits on Form 1116 is genuinely contested.
Read the insightSeptember 26, 2026
Marrying a Swiss Citizen: What Changes on Your US Tax Return
Marriage to a Swiss non-citizen changes your US tax default: you file Married Filing Separately unless you make a 6013(g) election, gifts to your spouse are capped at $194,000 instead of unlimited, the unlimited marital deduction becomes a QDOT issue, and new reporting duties such as Form 3520 and FBAR appear. Most couples decline 6013(g).
Read the insightSeptember 23, 2026
Pillar 3a Early Withdrawal: Legal Grounds and Your US Tax Bill
A Pillar 3a payout is allowed early only on five legal grounds. Switzerland taxes the full amount as a reduced lump sum, while the US side depends on your basis, growth already taxed, and account structure. Here's what to plan before you withdraw for a home, self-employment, disability, or leaving Switzerland.
Read the insightSeptember 22, 2026
FEIE vs Foreign Tax Credit: The Switzerland Decision Guide for Americans
For most Americans in high-tax Swiss cantons, the Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) beats the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555) because Swiss rates exceed US rates and the credit preserves refundable child tax benefits. In low-tax cantons, the FEIE or a hybrid often shelters more. The right choice depends on your canton, income mix and family situation.
Read the insightSeptember 21, 2026
Having a Baby in Switzerland: US Citizenship, Taxes & Allowances
A baby born in Switzerland to a US citizen parent is a US citizen at birth. You'll document that with a CRBA, passport and SSN, then manage two money streams: the US Child Tax Credit and Swiss family allowances. Careful: using the FEIE can wipe out the refundable portion of the credit.
Read the insightSeptember 20, 2026
Congress Drops Phantom Currency Mortgage Relief for Americans Abroad
Congress considered then dropped a narrow fix for phantom foreign currency gains on principal residence mortgages abroad. That leaves Americans with Swiss mortgages facing potential capital gains when they refinance or pay down a CHF loan that strengthened against the dollar.
Read the insightSeptember 19, 2026
Inheriting from Switzerland as a US Citizen: Tax, Form 3520, and Probate
When you inherit from a Swiss estate, Switzerland usually imposes cantonal inheritance tax on non-spouse heirs, while the US has no federal inheritance tax for recipients. You must report foreign inheritances above $100,000 on Form 3520, and inherited Swiss accounts can trigger FBAR. Probate timing varies by canton; plan for reporting deadlines.
Read the insightSeptember 19, 2026
When Your Swiss Life Insurance Policy Is FBAR and Form 8938 Reportable
A Swiss cash-value life insurance policy is a foreign financial account for US reporting if it has surrender value. You may need to file FBAR and Form 8938 when the policy's cash value, combined with other foreign accounts, crosses $10,000 or the higher 8938 thresholds. Here's how to determine what counts and what to report.
Read the insightSeptember 17, 2026
Leaving Your Swiss Employer: Vested Benefits Accounts and FBAR
When you leave a Swiss employer, your Pillar 2 moves into a Freizügigkeitskonto — a vested benefits account that is FBAR-reportable from day one. You can split it into two accounts only at the initial transfer, and ignoring the six-month fallback can create extra steps. Here is the practical sequence and decision framework.
Read the insightSeptember 16, 2026
Swiss Withholding Tax for Americans: Reclaiming the 35%
Swiss investment income is hit with 35% Verrechnungssteuer. Swiss residents reclaim the full amount by declaring the income and the underlying asset on their cantonal tax return. That refundable withholding is not a US foreign tax credit: only genuine, non-refundable Swiss income tax can offset your US bill.
Read the insightSeptember 15, 2026
Swiss Forced Heirship vs. US Testamentary Freedom
If you are an American living in Switzerland, Swiss forced heirship normally applies by default. You can elect US law through a professio juris clause in your will or succession agreement. The 2023 reform cut descendants' reserved shares and removed parents' forced share; the January 2025 PILA update extended the election to Swiss dual nationals.
Read the insightSeptember 14, 2026
Foreign Tax Credits Can't Offset NIIT: 2026 Ruling and Swiss Impact
The August 31, 2026 Federal Circuit ruling in Bruyea and Christensen means foreign tax credits cannot offset the 3.8% NIIT under the Canada-US and France-US treaties. For Americans in Switzerland, this creates double taxation on Swiss-source investment income, but planning can reduce exposure.
Read the insightSeptember 13, 2026
Which Swiss Insurance Policies Do Americans Actually Need?
You don't need every policy Swiss brokers sell. Privathaftpflicht is practically required for renters; Hausrat may be mandatory by canton; legal protection is optional but useful; supplementary VVG is often oversold. US tax rules—especially the 1% excise tax on foreign premiums—add another layer.
Read the insightSeptember 12, 2026
Which Swiss Banks Still Accept Americans in 2026? Real Costs
UBS, PostFinance, ZKB and Swissquote still open accounts for US persons in Switzerland in 2026, but the real cost is rarely the listed fee: FATCA surcharges, custody fees and US tax reporting can push basic banking to several thousand dollars a year. Here's the practical decision guide.
Read the insightSeptember 11, 2026
Swiss Mortgage Amortization for Americans: Direct vs. Indirect
Swiss banks require you to pay a mortgage's second lien down to 65% loan-to-value within 15 years, either directly by reducing principal or indirectly by pledging a Pillar 3a retirement account. For Americans, the indirect route adds FBAR and FATCA reporting, possible PFIC exposure, and a US tax bill Switzerland's deduction doesn't erase.
Read the insightSeptember 10, 2026
Keeping Your US 401(k) or IRA in Switzerland: Reporting and Tax Rules
Yes — you can keep your US 401(k) or IRA after moving to Switzerland. The account still counts toward FBAR and FATCA reporting, and Switzerland taxes it too: traditional accounts follow pension-style rules with no wealth tax until withdrawal, while Roth IRAs are taxed annually as ordinary investment accounts, wealth tax included.
Read the insightSeptember 9, 2026
Swiss AHV/IV and US Taxes: What the IRS Actually Says
AHV/IV contributions are not deductible on your US tax return, but the US-Switzerland totalization agreement exempts you from paying US Social Security and Medicare taxes on the same wages. In retirement, AHV benefits are fully taxable pension income to the IRS — and they're not reportable on FBAR or Form 8938.
Read the insightSeptember 8, 2026
Moving Back to the US from Switzerland: Medicare Part B Timing and the Pillar 2 IRMAA Trap
You have 60 days from the day you land in the US to enroll in Medicare Part B without a lifelong late-enrollment penalty. Separately, a Swiss Pillar 2 pension lump sum you withdraw now can raise your Medicare premiums by roughly $200–$500 a month starting two years later, because Medicare uses your tax return from two years back to set your rate.
Read the insightSeptember 7, 2026
Moving Back to the US from Switzerland: Your Tax and Money Timeline
Moving back to the US from Switzerland overlaps two tax systems, pension deadlines, and a health insurance gap. The key is sequencing: settle Swiss taxes and pension withdrawals before you leave, catch up on any US filing gaps first, and time Medicare decisions around the 60-day window that starts the day you land.
Read the insightSeptember 6, 2026
Privathaftpflicht, Hausrat & Legal Protection: The US Tax Rules
Privathaftpflicht, Hausrat, and legal protection policies are not FBAR-reportable because they have no cash value — but premiums on these everyday Swiss policies technically trigger a little-known 1% federal excise tax under IRC 4371, even though enforcement on small policies is essentially nonexistent.
Read the insightSeptember 5, 2026
Swiss Company Car Taxable Benefit: US and CH Tax Rules Explained
Switzerland taxes company car private use at a flat 0.9% of the purchase price monthly; the IRS uses fair market value or cents-per-mile. Both amounts count as taxable wages. The Foreign Tax Credit offsets most double taxation, but valuation and timing differences between the two systems often leave a small taxable gap.
Read the insightSeptember 4, 2026
Fondsgebundene (Unit-Linked) Insurance: Why It's a PFIC Trap for Americans in Switzerland
A Swiss fondsgebundene (unit-linked) policy wraps insurance around investment funds. For a US person, those underlying funds are almost always PFICs (foreign pooled investments taxed punitively by the IRS), and the insurance label rarely changes that. Expect Form 8621 filings, no treaty relief, and a real reason to look for alternatives before you sign.
Read the insightSeptember 4, 2026
Hospitalized for Months in Switzerland? Your Premium Keeps Running
In Switzerland, your mandatory health insurance (KVG) premium does not pause during a hospital stay—it keeps running in full, on top of any deductible. A separate, optional rider called Prämienbefreiung can waive the premium during long-term disability, but it isn't automatic.
Read the insightSeptember 3, 2026
How Swiss Term Life Insurance Death Benefits Are Taxed in the US and Switzerland
Swiss term life insurance death benefits are not taxed as income by either the US or Switzerland — but the payout can still be pulled into the deceased's taxable estate (US) or, in some cantons, an inheritance tax (Switzerland) depending on ownership and beneficiary designation. The fix is mostly about paperwork, decided years before anyone needs the payout.
Read the insightSeptember 2, 2026
Pillar 3a as an Insurance Policy for Americans: Why the Wrapper Creates US Problems
Pillar 3a can be held as a bank account or an insurance policy, and for US persons the difference matters. The insurance wrapper often triggers foreign trust reporting (Form 3520 and 3520-A) on top of FBAR and FATCA — and if the policy invests in funds, PFIC rules apply too. The bank-account version skips the trust layer.
Read the insightSeptember 1, 2026
Swiss Taggeld and US Taxes: What Americans Need to Know
Swiss Taggeld replaces up to 80% of your salary for up to 720 days during illness — but for Americans, both the premiums your employer pays and the benefits you receive can trigger US tax, and the IRS treats sick pay as unearned income, so the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion never applies.
Read the insightAugust 30, 2026
New IRS-Switzerland Deal Cuts Withholding on Pension Dividends
IRS Announcement 2025-8 (March 2025) confirms a December 2024 arrangement letting qualifying US retirement accounts and Swiss pension plans — including IRAs, 401(k)s, and Pillar 3a — claim exemption from source-country dividend withholding under treaty Article 10(3). It's not automatic: you or your custodian must file the right form, or you're still losing 15-30% to withholding.
Read the insightAugust 29, 2026
BVG Disability Pension and US Taxes: What the IRS Actually Says
Swiss BVG disability pension payments are fully taxable to US persons—as wages before minimum retirement age, as pension income after. There's no Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for these payments since they count as unearned income, but a foreign tax credit for Swiss tax paid is typically available. FBAR and FATCA reporting continue throughout disability.
Read the insightAugust 28, 2026
The IRS Found $6.2 Trillion Unreported. It Fined $80,000.
A 2026 TIGTA audit found the IRS identified 405 Americans with $6.2 trillion in unreported foreign accounts under FATCA's Campaign 896, but examined only 12 cases and assessed just $80,000 in penalties despite spending roughly $683 million implementing FATCA's data infrastructure. The filing requirement itself hasn't changed—only the odds of examination, which remain a poor bet.
Read the insightAugust 27, 2026
Senate Finance Committee's FBAR Reform Bill: What Got Cut, What Got Added
The Senate Finance Committee's July 28, 2026 Chairman's Mark trims expat relief in the FBAR reform bill (S. 3931), dropping FBAR-with-tax-return filing and a wider foreign tax credit threshold. In their place: mandatory Treasury and GAO studies on simplifying reporting, more time to contest math-error penalties, and new rules on Form 3520 deadlines and IRS penalty authority.
Read the insightAugust 26, 2026
Swiss Maternity Insurance and US Taxes: How Mutterschaftsentschädigung Hits Your 1040
Swiss maternity benefits (Mutterschaftsentschädigung) are paid by the government, not your employer, so they don't qualify as foreign earned income under IRC 911. You can't exclude them with the FEIE. Instead, they're reported as other income on Schedule 1, with a possible Foreign Tax Credit if Switzerland taxed them too.
Read the insightAugust 25, 2026
BVG Vested Benefits Accounts (Freizügigkeitskonto): A US Tax Guide
A Freizügigkeitskonto (vested benefits account) holds your Swiss Pillar 2 pension money after you leave an employer without moving directly to a new one. For US persons, it's not a qualified plan — growth is taxed annually, and it must be reported on FBAR and often Form 8938.
Read the insightAugust 25, 2026
Lex Koller 2026: What Americans Buying Swiss Property Need to Know
Switzerland's proposed Lex Koller tightening gained momentum in September 2026 when a National Council committee voted 14-8 to back the rules, which would require Americans with a B permit to get authorization before buying a home. The earliest implementation is late 2027 or 2028 after parliamentary review. Nothing has changed yet, but planning ahead matters.
Read the insightAugust 24, 2026
Are Swiss KVG Health Insurance Premiums Deductible on Your US Tax Return?
Swiss KVG premiums count as medical expenses for US tax purposes, but they rarely reduce your tax bill. You'd need to itemize deductions instead of taking the standard deduction, and total medical costs must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income—a bar most expats using the FEIE or Foreign Tax Credit never need to clear, and rarely do.
Read the insightAugust 23, 2026
Which US Brokerages Still Accept Americans Living in Switzerland in 2026?
Schwab International and Interactive Brokers still accept Americans living in Switzerland in 2026; Schwab has no minimum deposit, and both offer access to US-domiciled ETFs. Fidelity restricts new fund purchases, and Vanguard's 2025 platform migration has pushed many expats out entirely. Opening or preserving a US brokerage account before you move protects you from PFIC taxation.
Read the insightAugust 22, 2026
Swiss Unemployment Insurance (ALV) for Americans: A Complete Guide
Swiss unemployment insurance (ALV) pays 70-80% of your prior salary for 200 to 520 daily allowances, depending on your age and contribution history. Eligibility requires 12 months of contributions in the prior two years. The IRS taxes every franc of it as ordinary income — it does not qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
Read the insightAugust 21, 2026
Swiss Travel Insurance for Americans: What's Necessary, What's Sold
Swiss mandatory KVG health insurance covers emergency care in the EU, EFTA, and UK, but outside that zone it pays only up to twice the Swiss rate and never covers repatriation. If you travel to the US, Canada, Japan, or elsewhere outside Europe, supplementary VVG travel insurance closes a real gap—though not every policy sold to you is necessary.
Read the insightAugust 20, 2026
The Self-Employed Gap: Accident & Disability Coverage in Switzerland
If you're self-employed in Switzerland, you have no automatic accident insurance (UVG) and no automatic disability coverage beyond basic state pension contributions (AHV/IV). You need to arrange both privately — and the premiums and benefits carry specific US tax consequences worth understanding before you buy.
Read the insightAugust 18, 2026
Pillar 3a Retroactive Buy-Ins: What They Really Mean for Americans in Switzerland
Starting in 2026, Switzerland lets you retroactively fund missed Pillar 3a years back to 2025, capped at CHF 7,258 per year. For US persons, the catch-up contribution isn't deductible on your US return, and the IRS still taxes the account's growth annually — so before you buy back a gap, understand the compliance and tax tradeoffs involved.
Read the insightAugust 17, 2026
The Pillar 3a Mortgage Pledge: A Trap for US Persons?
Indirect amortization lets you pledge a Pillar 3a retirement account against your mortgage instead of paying down debt directly. It maximizes Swiss tax deductions but triggers US reporting under FBAR and FATCA, plus annual US tax on account growth. Whether it's worth it depends on your tax bracket, timeline, and tolerance for cross-border paperwork.
Read the insightAugust 16, 2026
The US-Swiss Totalization Agreement Explained: How It Works and Who Benefits
The US-Swiss Totalization Agreement stops you from paying into both AHV and US Social Security at once, and lets you combine credits from both countries to qualify for retirement, survivors, or disability benefits. You claim the exemption with a Certificate of Coverage and apply for benefits using Form SSA-2490-BK.
Read the insightAugust 15, 2026
IRC 4371 and Swiss Health Insurance: Do You Actually Owe the 1% Excise Tax?
In most cases, no. The US-Swiss tax treaty lets major Swiss insurers sign IRS closing agreements that exempt their premiums from the IRC 4371 excise tax entirely — meaning most Americans paying KVG or VVG premiums owe nothing and file nothing. The exception: smaller insurers without an agreement in place.
Read the insightAugust 14, 2026
BVG Voluntary Buy-Ins: What Americans in Switzerland Need to Know
A BVG voluntary buy-in (Einkauf) reduces your Swiss taxable income, but the US doesn't automatically mirror that deduction. Treaty Article 21 offers some relief, though it isn't automatic — you need to track your contribution basis carefully to avoid double taxation when you eventually withdraw the funds.
Read the insightAugust 13, 2026
IRS Quietly Ends Penalty-Free Path for Late FBAR Filers: What Changed
In early July 2026, the IRS removed the webpage that promised no penalty for certain late FBAR filers. The underlying IRS guidance for reasonable-cause explanations still exists, but there's no longer a published assurance of automatic relief — late filers now need a stronger case and, often, professional input before filing.
Read the insightAugust 12, 2026
Term Life vs. Swiss Cash-Value Life Insurance: What US Persons Need to Know
For most US persons in Switzerland, term life insurance (Risikolebensversicherung) is simpler and more tax-efficient than Swiss cash-value policies, mainly because cash-value contracts rarely qualify as 'life insurance' under IRC 7702 and often trigger FBAR/FATCA reporting that term life avoids entirely.
Read the insightAugust 11, 2026
FBAR Filing for Americans in Switzerland: 2026 Deadlines and Rules
If the combined maximum balance of your Swiss accounts (bank, brokerage, pillar 2, pillar 3a, cash-value insurance) topped $10,000 at any point in 2025, you must file an FBAR by October 15, 2026. It's a separate filing from your tax return, made directly with FinCEN, not the IRS.
Read the insightAugust 10, 2026
Legal Protection Insurance in Switzerland: Coverage, Cost, and US Tax Rules
Swiss legal protection insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung) covers lawyer and court fees for tenant, employment, traffic, and consumer disputes for about CHF 250-400/year. Premiums generally aren't deductible on either return, and the policy itself creates no FBAR or FATCA reporting because it holds no cash value.
Read the insightAugust 9, 2026
Form 8621 and PFIC Reporting: A Guide for Americans in Switzerland
Form 8621 is the IRS form US persons file for each passive foreign investment company (PFIC) they hold — including most Swiss mutual funds and ETFs. You generally need to file when you cross reporting thresholds, sell shares, make an election, or receive a distribution, with a separate form required per fund.
Read the insightAugust 8, 2026
Quellensteuer for Americans in Switzerland: How Swiss Withholding Tax Works and What You Report to the IRS
Quellensteuer is Switzerland's at-source income tax for foreign workers without a C permit. Your employer withholds it monthly from salary. If you earn under CHF 120,000 with no other triggers, it's usually final — but you can still claim it as a foreign tax credit on IRS Form 1116.
Read the insightAugust 7, 2026
Swiss Health Insurance Premiums Rising 5% in 2027: What Americans Need to Know
Swiss mandatory health insurance premiums are projected to rise about 5% in 2027, after a 4.4% jump in 2026. Unlike US health premiums, Swiss KVG premiums aren't deductible on your US tax return — but you do have real, legal ways to manage the growing cost.
Read the insightAugust 7, 2026
How OECD Tax Reforms and Safe Harbour Rules Could Ease the Burden for Americans in Switzerland
Recent OECD international tax reforms and new Safe Harbour provisions offer narrow but real relief for some Americans living in Switzerland—primarily those facing inadvertent permanent establishment triggers from cross-border work or remote assignments. According to Deloitte's July 2026 survey of 1,010 senior tax leaders, 39% expect recent OECD Model Tax Convention updates to reduce unintended small permanent establishments, and approximately 80% anticipate their organizations will benefit from four new Safe Harbours introduced under the Pillar Two framework. Critical reality check: these reforms affect corporate tax structures and certain employment arrangements, not the core US citizenship-based taxation system. Your worldwide income filing obligations, FATCA reporting, and FBAR requirements remain completely unchanged.
Read the insightAugust 6, 2026
Hausrat Insurance in Switzerland: What Household Contents Coverage Actually Protects
Hausrat insurance protects your household contents against theft, fire, and water damage at replacement value, but it's not legally required and premiums aren't tax-deductible in Switzerland or the US. The real risk for expats is underinsurance: setting coverage too low at move-in triggers a proportional payout cut under Swiss law when you file a claim years later.
Read the insightAugust 5, 2026
Swiss Health Insurance Franchise Explained: A Guide for Americans
A Swiss franchise (Franchise/franchise) is the annual amount you pay 100% out of pocket before insurance starts covering costs, at which point a 10% coinsurance kicks in, capped at CHF 700. This is structurally different from a US deductible, and the tier you choose can shift your annual costs by well over CHF 1,000.
Read the insightAugust 4, 2026
Pillar 3a Insurance vs. Bank Account: How US Tax Reporting Differs
Both Pillar 3a bank accounts and Pillar 3a insurance policies are reportable to the IRS, but the insurance version can add a Form 3520 foreign trust question and reportable cash value before any distribution — a distinction most Swiss advisers never mention because it isn't a Swiss tax issue.
Read the insightAugust 2, 2026
UVG Accident Insurance in Switzerland: What Americans Need to Know
UVG is Switzerland's mandatory accident insurance, covering full medical costs and 80% of income up to CHF 148,200 (2026). It splits into BU (work accidents) and NBU (non-work accidents, employee-paid). Self-employed Americans, part-timers, and job changers face specific coverage gaps worth understanding before, not after, an accident happens.
Read the insightAugust 1, 2026
Privathaftpflicht in Switzerland: What Personal Liability Insurance Covers
Privathaftpflicht is Swiss personal liability insurance covering accidental damage you cause to others—like flooding a neighbor's apartment or damaging a rental. It's not legally mandatory, but most landlords require it. Typical cost runs CHF 50-200/year for singles, and premiums are not tax-deductible in either Switzerland or the US.
Read the insightJuly 31, 2026
Swiss VVG Supplementary Insurance: What Americans Need to Know
VVG is optional Swiss health coverage—private rooms, dental, and worldwide emergency care—layered on top of mandatory KVG basic insurance. Not every expat needs it, and premiums vary since VVG can reject applicants. Certain cash-value or fund-linked VVG products may also trigger FBAR reporting or PFIC tax treatment for Americans, so evaluate before buying.
Read the insightJuly 30, 2026
Swiss IV Disability Insurance for US Expats: What to Know
Swiss IV is Switzerland's mandatory disability insurance, paying up to CHF 2,520/month for a full disability rating of 70%+. For US citizens, IV benefits are generally taxable as ordinary income on your US return, and related accounts may trigger FBAR reporting if balances exceed $10,000. Eligibility and tax treatment depend on your specific work history and residence timeline.
Read the insightJuly 29, 2026
The Hidden US Tax Traps in Swiss Insurance Policies for Americans
Swiss insurance policies create three US tax traps for Americans: a 1% federal excise tax on premiums (IRC 4371), likely PFIC treatment for unit-linked policies, and FBAR/FATCA reporting for cash value. Most Swiss policies also fail IRC 7702's tests to qualify as life insurance under US law.
Read the insightJuly 27, 2026
13th AHV Payment and Retroactive Pillar 3a: What Changes for Americans in Switzerland in 2026
Starting in 2026, Americans in Switzerland receive two pension changes: a 13th AHV payment each December (a full extra month's pension, paid automatically) and the option to make retroactive Pillar 3a contributions for gaps since 2025, up to 10 years back. Both are taxable US income, and Pillar 3a contributions are not US tax-deductible.
Read the insightJuly 26, 2026
Why Your Tax-Free Roth IRA Becomes Taxable Income in Switzerland
A Roth IRA's qualified distributions are 100% tax-free in the US, but Switzerland doesn't recognize that status. Once you're a Swiss tax resident, Switzerland taxes Roth IRA distributions as ordinary investment income — the same way it treats a regular brokerage account. The 1996 US-Switzerland tax treaty doesn't extend special protection to Roth IRAs. The mismatch calls for planning before retirement, not after.
Read the insightJuly 24, 2026
US Citizenship Renunciation: What the 2025 Surge and New $450 Fee Mean for Americans in Switzerland
In 2025, 4,900 Americans renounced their citizenship—the highest number in years—and in April 2026 the State Department cut the renunciation fee from $2,350 to $450. For Americans living in Switzerland, where dual-tax systems and FATCA compliance create ongoing friction, renunciation is a question many consider but few rush into. The process is irreversible, the tax consequences can be significant, and the decision requires a clear-eyed look at what you gain, what you lose, and whether the relief from US reporting obligations outweighs losing your passport, consular protection, and future flexibility. This article explains the numbers, the process, the IRS exit tax rules, and how to approach the decision if you're weighing your options.
Read the insightJuly 23, 2026
Swiss Banks Releasing US Accountholder Information to IRS: What Americans in Switzerland Need to Know Right Now
On July 15, 2026, the Swiss government announced it will allow Swiss banks to release US accountholder information to the IRS as part of a new enforcement program involving fines to avoid indictments. If you're an American living in Switzerland with a Swiss bank account, this development directly affects your compliance obligations—but it's not cause for panic. The situation is fixable if you understand your reporting requirements and act before the IRS contacts you. Here's what the announcement means, how it differs from the original 2013 Swiss Bank Program, and what steps you should take now.
Read the insightJuly 22, 2026
Switzerland FATCA Model 1 Switch Postponed to 2028: What US Expats Need to Know
On January 26, 2026, Switzerland's State Secretariat for International Finance announced a one-year postponement of the FATCA Model 1 Intergovernmental Agreement implementation, now set for January 1, 2028 instead of 2027. For Americans living in Switzerland, this means your Swiss bank will continue reporting your accounts directly to the IRS under the current Model 2 framework—with your consent—for another year. The eventual shift to Model 1 will eliminate the consent requirement and move to automatic government-to-government exchange, but your compliance obligations remain essentially unchanged during the transition.
Read the insightJuly 21, 2026
US-Switzerland Tax Treaty Update: Lower Dividend Withholding and Stricter LOB Rules
The US Treasury has ranked Switzerland as its top priority for treaty modernization in 2026, targeting two key changes: reducing dividend withholding tax from 5 percent to 0 percent for corporate shareholders with at least 10 percent voting stakes, and tightening Limitation on Benefits provisions to restrict treaty shopping. If you hold Swiss corporate investments or receive dividends through Swiss pension vehicles, these updates could materially change your withholding obligations and treaty-benefit eligibility once the amendments take effect.
Read the insightJuly 20, 2026
529 College Savings Plans for US Expats in Switzerland: Do They Still Make Sense?
A 529 college savings plan keeps its US federal tax advantages when you live in Switzerland — earnings grow tax-free for qualified education expenses — but Switzerland treats it as a regular taxable account subject to wealth tax and income tax on distributions. Whether it makes sense depends on how long you'll stay in Switzerland, where your children will study, and whether the US tax benefit outweighs the Swiss tax friction and compliance complexity.
Read the insightJuly 19, 2026
Pillar 2 Basis Tracking for US Expats: Avoiding Double Taxation on Swiss Pension Withdrawals
Your Swiss Pillar 2 occupational pension creates a tax mismatch: employer contributions, employee contributions and investment growth are taxed by the IRS as current income, yet the entire balance sits in Switzerland untouched. If you don't track your cumulative US tax basis—every dollar you've already paid US tax on—the IRS will tax the entire distribution again when you withdraw or transfer funds, effectively doubling your tax bill on money you've already reported.
Read the insightJuly 18, 2026
Self-Employment in Switzerland as a US Citizen: AHV, US Self-Employment Tax & the Totalization Agreement Explained
If you're self-employed in Switzerland as a US citizen, you navigate two social security systems — but you don't pay twice. The US-Swiss totalization agreement exempts you from US self-employment tax when you pay into AHV, Switzerland's social insurance scheme. The catch: you must file the right paperwork with both systems to claim the exemption, you still owe quarterly estimated US income tax, and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion shelters your earnings from US income tax but not from self-employment tax unless you qualify for totalization.
Read the insightJuly 18, 2026
Buying a Home in Switzerland as a US Citizen: Mortgages, Lex Koller, and US Tax Implications
US citizens with Swiss residence permits (B or C) can generally buy property freely in their canton of residence, exempt from Lex Koller restrictions that block most foreign ownership. Swiss mortgages allow up to 80% loan-to-value with interest-only structures and strict affordability tests, while US tax treatment of mortgage interest and rental income requires coordination between both systems. The decision to buy versus rent turns on more than just payments: currency exposure, estate planning under Swiss forced heirship rules, and the real opportunity cost of tying up capital all play into whether ownership makes strategic sense for your situation.
Read the insightJuly 18, 2026
Swiss Mutual Funds, ETFs and the PFIC Tax Trap: What US Expats Must Know
Most Swiss-domiciled mutual funds and ETFs are classified as PFICs (Passive Foreign Investment Companies) by the IRS, subjecting American investors to punitive tax treatment that can exceed the actual gains. The default PFIC regime taxes distributions and gains at ordinary income rates up to 37 percent, adds compounding interest charges for each holding year, and eliminates long-term capital gains treatment. Every PFIC position requires annual Form 8621 reporting, even without sales. The good news: PFIC taxation is entirely avoidable through strategic fund selection—US-domiciled ETFs, individual stocks, and certain structures offer the same diversification without the tax penalty.
Read the insightJuly 18, 2026
How the IRS Uses AI to Cross-Reference FATCA and FBAR Data (and What It Means for You)
The IRS now deploys automated systems that cross-reference FATCA reports from your Swiss bank, your FBAR filings, and Form 8938 disclosures in real time. These AI-driven tools flag discrepancies—unreported accounts, mismatched balances, missing income—before a human ever reviews your return. For Americans in Switzerland, this means one thing: your various filings must tell the same story, down to the franc. The good news? If you file accurately and consistently, these systems work in your favor by reducing random audits. This piece walks you through exactly what the IRS is matching, what triggers a closer look, and how to keep your reporting aligned without anxiety.
Read the insightJuly 17, 2026
2026 Social Security COLA Increase and New Senior Tax Deduction: What US Expats in Switzerland Need to Know
If you're a US citizen in Switzerland collecting Social Security, two changes are coming in 2026: a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment to your monthly benefit starting January, and a new $6,000 tax deduction for those 65 and older that could reduce how much of your benefit is taxable. Both sound helpful, but neither works quite the same way for expats as it does for people in the US — thanks to the US-Swiss tax treaty, dual reporting obligations, and the fact that your benefit may already be taxed differently depending on where you live.
Read the insightJuly 17, 2026
Social Security Claiming Strategies for US Expats in Switzerland: Navigating WEP, GPO and Dual Pensions
On January 5, 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) retroactive to January 2024, ending decades of benefit reductions for Americans with foreign pensions. If you work in Switzerland and contribute to Swiss AHV, you now receive your full US Social Security benefit without any reduction — and spousal or survivor benefits are no longer offset by your Swiss pension. The US-Swiss totalization agreement still prevents double taxation and helps you qualify for benefits, but your optimal claiming strategy is now based purely on your US earnings record, health, longevity, and coordination with your spouse's benefits.
Read the insightJuly 16, 2026
UBS to Launch Full-Service Banking for Americans in Switzerland: What It Means for You
Starting mid-2027, UBS will offer everyday banking services—checking accounts, savings, mortgages and lending—to wealthy Americans living in Switzerland, ending the long-standing split where you needed one institution for wealth management and another for basic banking. UBS secured a US national banking charter in 2026 and is trialing the service with employees first. This is the first time a major Swiss bank has built a fully integrated solution for US persons, addressing FATCA compliance costs that drove many banks away from American clients. If you have between two and ten million dollars in investable assets, you're in the target segment; the rollout will test whether the convenience of consolidation justifies UBS pricing and whether smaller institutions respond.
Read the insightJuly 16, 2026
Estate Planning for US Expats in Switzerland: Why It Matters and How to Get It Right
Estate planning for US expats in Switzerland means coordinating two legal systems that rarely align. While the 2026 $15 million US federal exemption (now permanent under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) means most Americans won't face federal estate tax, Swiss cantonal inheritance taxes, forced heirship rules reserving portions of your estate for family, and the statutory treatment of pillar 2 and 3a assets create a distinct planning landscape. Add non-US-citizen spouses (who trigger QDOT requirements), trusts (now subject to Lex Koller rules after a February 2026 Supreme Court decision), and the mechanics of transferring assets across jurisdictions, and the picture becomes clear: cross-border estate planning isn't optional—it's the difference between your wishes being honored and your heirs navigating expensive conflicts between US and Swiss law.
Read the insightJuly 16, 2026
Can US Expats in Switzerland Have Life Insurance? (And What Can It Do for You?)
Yes, US expats in Switzerland can get life insurance—but most Swiss insurers reject American clients due to FATCA compliance costs. After a $77 million penalty against Swiss Life in 2021 for helping US taxpayers evade tax via private placement life insurance policies, many carriers became risk-averse. The good news: specialized insurers in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg do accept US clients, and properly structured policies offer powerful benefits—tax-free death benefits, creditor protection under Swiss law, and tax-optimized capital growth—when you navigate the IRS reporting requirements correctly.
Read the insightJuly 15, 2026
Swiss Real Estate and Trusts: What the 2026 Supreme Court Ruling Means for Americans
Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that transferring Swiss real estate into a trust requires government authorization under Lex Koller—even when the trust is managed by family members. In April 2026, the Federal Council proposed sweeping Lex Koller reforms that would require Americans to obtain authorization even for primary residences and mandate property sale within two years after leaving Switzerland. If you hold Swiss property in a trust or are considering one, you likely need authorization and should review the proposed changes.
Read the insightJuly 15, 2026
2026 Tax Filing Season for Americans in Switzerland: FEIE Changes, IRS AI Enforcement, and What You Must Know
For the 2026 tax filing season, Americans in Switzerland face three major changes: the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion climbs to $130,000 for 2025 income ($132,900 for 2026 income filed in 2027), the IRS has deployed AI-driven enforcement tools specifically targeting expat non-compliance with FBAR and FATCA rules, and a March 2025 treaty clarification affects how certain Swiss pension arrangements are treated for US withholding. If you live and work in Switzerland, these shifts mean higher exclusion relief but also heightened scrutiny—understanding the new rules and taking action now keeps you compliant and penalty-free.
Read the insightJuly 14, 2026
Can a US Expat Get Health Insurance in Switzerland? What You Need to Know
Yes, US expats living in Switzerland are required to enroll in LAMal (mandatory health insurance) within three months of arrival. Unlike US employer plans or marketplace coverage, Swiss premiums aren't income-based and the system operates through competing private insurers under strict federal rules. Missing the deadline triggers retroactive penalties, and certain accounts or employer-sponsored arrangements may create US tax reporting obligations under FBAR or FATCA. Premiums rose 4.4% in 2026 and are projected to rise another ~5% in 2027. Understanding both the Swiss enrollment requirements and your US compliance picture is essential before you choose a plan.
Read the insightJuly 14, 2026
Swiss Pension Plans and US Taxes: Compliance Guide for American Expats
Unlike US 401(k) plans, your Swiss Pillar 2 occupational pension is not tax-deferred in the eyes of the IRS. Employer contributions count as taxable US income in the year they're made, investment growth is taxed annually, and distributions are taxable on amounts above your basis. Pillar 3a voluntary contributions offer no US deduction, may trigger PFIC reporting if invested in Swiss mutual funds, and require FBAR disclosure if your aggregate foreign accounts exceed ten thousand dollars at any point in the year. The bright side: Swiss taxes paid on the same income typically generate foreign tax credits that reduce or eliminate double taxation, and structured reporting keeps you compliant without surprises.
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