How to declare the value of a private car in the tax declaration?

Williams

Hi everyone,

I am filling in my first Swiss tax return (for 2018) right now. I own a car and have to declare it. How do I determine its tax value? I purchased it last year (also in 2018) as I move to Switzerland. The price was CHF 28,000.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!
Williams

Bell

Williams

Hello Williams

Actually, you have to declare at its current market value. You can obtain this value online looking on websites for purchasing cars.

However, there is a much simpler way. You can amortize your car at a constant annual rate of 40% (for Zurich) subtracting it from its remaining value.

A simple example. Purchase price CHF 28,000. Year of purchase 2018. The tax value for the tax return 2018 would be 28,000 * (1-40%) = CHF 16,800.

For the next year it would be then 16,800 * (1-40%) = CHF 10,080

So, you can see it’s pretty simple.
Hope it helps.

Best,
Bell

Montgomery

Hello Williams

All depends from the cantonal rules. In Zurich it is possible to amortize your car, as Bell already wrote. But as for example in Aargau the tax value of the 8-year-old car will be CHF 0. In Schwyz you have to declare the market price of the same car.
So I recommend you to contact with your treuhander and ask him about the rules in your canton.

Best regards,
Montgomery

Jansen

Hi experts,

I have a question concerning my collectible car. Should I declare the current market value or can I amortize my car?
Using of the market value is not convenient in my case.

Thanks,
Jansen

Montgomery

Hello Jansen

Usually vintage or collectible cars have to be declared at their fair market value. You can`t amortize your car.

Best regards,
Montgomery

CartCar

If you want to declare the car, you need to take into account the model, year of manufacture and price of the car, and as discussed Montgomery, the cantonal rules. As example Audi A8, 2015 year of manufacture, the price is CHF 105’000.
In 2019 must be declared:
In cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Basel-Stadt (if the car is used for daily use), St. Gallen and Uri – CHF 0.
Canton of Aargau (15% of historic value) – CHF 15’750.
Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden (10% of historic value) – CHF 10’500.
Canton of Bern (12% of historic value) – CHF 12’600.
Canton of Freiburg – CHF 30’106.
Canton of Glarus– CHF 17’647.
Canton of Graubünden– CHF 21’000.
Canton of Luzern – CHF 17’850.
Canton of Nidwalden– CHF 8’400.
Canton of Schwyz– from CHF 35’000 to CHF 50’000.

Best regards

Montgomery

Hello everyone

Here you can find more information about the value of the private car in a tax declaration according to cantonal rules https://treuhand-suche.ch/blog/steuerwert-privat-auto/

Unfortunately it`s in German but it is simple to use google translate 😀

Best regards,
Montgomery

HaroMonkey

Hi guys

What if I have a car in my homeland? I left my car in Spain. Now my brother uses it, but officially it is still my property. Should I still declare this? Should I apply the same rules? I have been living in Basel since last year.

Thank you in advance.

Aho

Hello HaroMonkey
You must declare all your property - in Switzerland and in other countries. Whether you use it or not is not very important. So you must declare the vehicle, as long as you are the official owner of it. In Basel-Stadt the value of car is 0, unless you have some luxury or retro car.

Regards