Joint Stock Company
Joint stock companies are the most popular type of businesses in Switzerland among foreign investors for both large corporations or small and medium-sized companies. The Swiss AG is a legal entity with limited liability to company assets and it can perform activities in the trading, production, holding or financing business.
Advantages and Benefits
- International Credibility
- Flexible and creative corporate structures for international business
- Ability to conduct business with or maintain professional contact with accountants, trust companies, investment advisors or any other similar professions.
- Bearer shares or registered shares possible.
- Ability to maintain bank accounts in Switzerland.
- Asset protection and privacy.
- Ability to manage the company from any place in the world.
- Audit is not compulsory.
- There are no nationality restrictions for executives.
- Liability is limited with the company assets/share capital.
- Anonymity of capital investors in the case of bearer shares.
- Limited liabilities of shareholders.
- Simple regulation of inheritance.
- Flexibility while developing a company charter.
- Double taxation treaties to more than 70 countries.
- Special tax exemption status for certain activity.
- Local meetings
Jurisdiction | Switzerland |
Type of Entity | Joint Stock |
Type of Law | Swiss Civil Code |
Tax Exemptions | On certain type of activities |
Time to establish a new company | 3-4 weeks |
Bearer shares allowed | Yes |
Double Taxation treaty access | Yes(to more than 70 countries) |
Standard currency of share capital | CHF |
Other permitted currencies of capital | No |
Minimum paid up share capital | 100,000 CHF |
Usual authorized capital | 100,000 CHF |
Minimum number of Directors/Managers | 1 |
Local Directors/Managers required | Yes |
Ordinary Tax base | Worldwide income |
Withholding tax on license fees and royalties | None |
Corporate Tax Rate | 8% to 30% |
Withholding tax on dividents | 35% |
Value added tax rate | 8% |
Publicly accessible record of directors | Yes |
Locations of directors meeting | Anywhere |
Minimum number of members | 1 |
Disclosure of beneficial owner | No |
Company secretary required | No |
Requirement for audited accounts | Depends on activity, financial accounts, total employees |
Submission of accounts | No, only with tax authorities |
Publicly accessible accounts | No |
Requirement to file annual return | Yes |
Change in Domicile permitted | Yes |