Switzerland requires non-resident businesses with no fixed establishment in the country to appoint a local fiscal representative when registering for VAT. This applies to businesses established outside Switzerland, including those from the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries.
The fiscal representative acts as the liaison between the foreign company and the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA), ensuring compliance with VAT obligations. Responsibilities include VAT registration, filing VAT returns, handling communications with the tax authorities, and maintaining proper records.
The requirement to appoint a fiscal representative may be waived in specific cases where the foreign business can demonstrate it is capable of managing its VAT compliance independently and receiving communications directly from the FTA. This exemption is limited and subject to approval by the Swiss tax authorities.
Avalara offers a global Fiscal Representative service as part of its international VAT and GST registration and returns service. It helps thousands of businesses of all sizes accurately and easily manage their tax compliance obligations on a fully automated service.
Explore global VAT updates, new e-invoicing mandates, and key U.S. sales tax changes in this annual Avalara report.
Read the report to learn about key industry trends, emerging issues, and challenges faced by cross-border sellers and shippers.
Manage international tax with cross-border solutions for VAT, HS code classification, trade restrictions, and more.