Switzerland taxes income at three levels: federal direct tax, canton, and municipality. This tool uses a transparent approximation: standard OASI/ALV bases, a federal-style bracket scale, and a per-canton **effective factor** on the same taxable base as a stand-in for canton + commune (Steuerfuss varies by town). Always validate with a Treuhänder for your exact postcode, church tax, and pillar-2 rules.
Why the canton dominates the headline rate
Two families with identical federal tax can still have very different cash in the bank because Geneva,
Vaud, or Basel-Stadt stack high cantonal and communal burdens, while Zug or Nidwalden are structurally
lighter. Our factor is calibrated for “typical” urban burden; rural communes can shift the result.
Self-employed OASI and half-deduction
AHV/IV/EO for self-employed is charged at the full social rate on relevant income; roughly half of what
you pay is deductible when computing taxable income. We model that split so freelance is not compared
unfairly to a salary line that already had employer OASI “in the background”.
Health insurance (LAMal)
Premiums are shown as a cash line you pay from net — not a payroll withholding like in some countries.
Adjust the annual figure to your franchise and insurer; the default is indicative only.
FAQ
Is withholding tax (Quellensteuer) modelled?
No — the tool assumes ordinary tax filing for residents. Cross-border or B-permit cases need a specialist.
Are church tax and military exempt included?
Not in this release; add a margin in your planning if they apply to you.