Current status of indirect tax measures to mitigate the economic impact of the spread of coronavirus
by Christina Rinne, Gregor Lichtenthäler
On 20 March 2020, the Federal Council approved a comprehensive package of measures amounting to CHF 32 billion for mitigating the economic consequences of the spread of the coronavirus. After the announcement of the grant of loans with joint and several guarantees by the Swiss Confederation amounting to CHF 10 billion on 13 February 2020, and a further CHF 20 billion decided on 25 March 2020, more than CHF 60 billion is now available to provide targeted assistance to affected sectors and individuals if necessary.
Through the Ordinance on the Temporary Waiver of Interest in the Event of Late Payment of Taxes, Incentive Levies and Customs Duties and the Waiver of Loan Refunds by the Swiss Society for Hotel Credit, which entered into force on 21 March 2020, the Federal Council also created the legal basis (SR 641.207.2) for reducing the economic consequences of the spread of the coronavirus in the area of taxes.
In general, all authorities have communicated a strong desire that the measures will be implemented swiftly and applied in an uncomplicated manner in order to improve the economic situation in Switzerland. The following contains an overview on the current status of the measures in the area of indirect taxes.