Accounting for
expats in Zürich —
in plain English
Zürich has over 130,000 foreign residents. Swiss tax rules — Quellensteuer, cantonal returns, AHV contributions — are complex enough in German. We handle all of it in English, on a fixed monthly fee, from our office at Stockerstrasse 21.
Quick enquiry
Tell us your situation — we'll call you back within one business day.
Swiss accounting is hard enough
without the language barrier
Every expat in Zürich faces the same problems: tax rules that differ by permit type, salary withholding that may under- or over-charge you, and mandatory filings buried in German. Here is what we solve.
Quellensteuer confusion
B-permit holders have tax withheld at source — but the rate is often wrong. If your gross income exceeds CHF 120,000 per year, you must also file a Nachträgliche ordentliche Veranlagung (NOV). We check both and reclaim any overpayment.
Self-employment & freelancing
Working as a freelancer or running a Einzelfirma in Switzerland means filing quarterly AHV contributions and annual tax returns. Without proper bookkeeping, you risk penalties. We handle all filings — in English, on time.
Company formation as a foreigner
Opening a GmbH or AG as a non-Swiss resident requires at least one locally resident director with signature authority. We advise on structure, handle the commercial register filing, and can provide a domicile address at Stockerstrasse 21.
VAT registration for foreign businesses
If your Swiss turnover exceeds CHF 100,000 per year, VAT registration is mandatory — even for non-resident companies. We act as your Swiss VAT fiscal representative and file quarterly MWST returns.
Unclear deductions
Swiss law allows deductions most expats never claim: professional expenses, commuting costs, childcare, and Pillar 3a contributions. We review your situation and maximise your allowable deductions within Swiss law.
Dealing with Swiss authorities
All cantonal tax authority correspondence arrives in German. We handle every letter, deadline, and objection on your behalf — and explain what is happening in English at every step.
Full-scope accounting
for expats and foreign businesses
Whether you are an employed expat, a self-employed freelancer, or running a Swiss company, we cover every financial and tax obligation — in English, on fixed fees.
Corporate and personal tax, Quellensteuer review, Nachträgliche Veranlagung, withholding tax.
AHV/ALV registration, salary processing, payslips, Quellensteuer deduction management.
Swiss VAT registration, fiscal representation for foreign companies, quarterly returns.
GmbH and AG formation for foreign nationals. Commercial register, capital deposit, domicile.
Limited and ordinary audits for GmbH & AG. RAB-registered. Reports in English or German.
Up and running in four steps
Free consultation
30-minute call or meeting. We assess your tax situation, permit type, company structure, and which services you need. No jargon.
Fixed-fee proposal
We send a clear proposal within one business day — one monthly fee, no hourly rates, no surprise invoices.
Onboarding
We take over from your previous accountant or set up from scratch. We register with tax authorities, set up bookkeeping, and brief you on what to send us each month.
We handle everything
Monthly bookkeeping, tax filings, authority correspondence — all in English. You focus on your work; we manage compliance.
Fixed fees. No surprises.
All prices exclude VAT. Annual financial statements and corporate tax filing included in every plan.
Startup
per month
- Bookkeeping up to 100 transactions/month
- Annual financial statements
- Corporate tax return
- Dedicated accountant
- English-language service
SME
per month
- Bookkeeping up to 400 transactions/month
- Quarterly management accounts
- Corporate tax + VAT returns
- Payroll up to 5 employees
- Priority 24h response
- Quellensteuer management
Enterprise
Price on request
- Unlimited transactions
- IFRS or Swiss GAAP reporting
- Statutory audit included
- Transfer pricing documentation
- Dedicated senior partner
Personal tax return add-on: CHF 350/year. Full pricing details →
"After relocating our holding structure to Zürich, Alexander's team handled the full accounting setup within three weeks. Everything was explained in English — from the commercial register filing to the first VAT return. The fixed-fee model meant no nasty surprises."
CEO, Harrington Trading AG — relocated from London
Expat accounting
questions answered
Still unsure? Call us on +41 58 788 00 01 — we will answer in English.
Book free callIt depends on your permit type and income level. B-permit holders normally pay Quellensteuer (withholding tax) through their employer and do not file a full return — unless their gross salary exceeds CHF 120,000/year. C-permit holders are treated like Swiss residents and must file annually. Self-employed expats always file. We assess your exact situation at the free consultation.
Quellensteuer is Swiss withholding tax deducted from your salary by your employer each month. It covers cantonal, federal, and municipal income tax. The rate is set by the tax authority based on your permit, marital status, and salary. If the rate applied is wrong — which happens often — you may have overpaid or underpaid. We review your Quellensteuer calculations and file corrections where needed. See the Canton Zürich Quellensteuer guide for official rates.
Yes. Swiss law requires at least one director with sole signature authority who is resident in Switzerland. If you live abroad, we help you appoint a qualified resident director or arrange a domicile solution at our Stockerstrasse 21 address. Our company formation service covers the full process — articles of association, commercial register, capital deposit, and ongoing compliance.
Yes. All client communication, reports, and advice are provided in English. We handle all German-language correspondence with Swiss tax authorities, the commercial register, AHV offices, and MWST on your behalf. You will never need to understand a German tax letter again.
Fixed monthly retainers start from CHF 149/month (Startup). Most expat entrepreneurs use our SME plan at CHF 299/month, which covers bookkeeping, annual statements, corporate tax, and VAT returns. Personal tax return filing is CHF 350/year as an add-on. No hourly billing, no hidden fees. See full pricing →