Pension provisionUpdated:
The short answer
Income from securities such as interest and dividends is declared in the list of securities in the tax return. You get back the anticipatory tax levied on it, provided the income is declared in full and on time. Careful and complete recording of all accounts, custody accounts and income is the prerequisite for the refund to proceed smoothly.
The purpose of the anticipatory tax
The anticipatory tax is levied at source on certain investment income, such as interest from Swiss banks or dividends from domestic companies. Its purpose is to ensure that income from assets is declared in full.
Anyone who declares the corresponding income correctly in their tax return can have the anticipatory tax withheld credited as an advance payment or reclaim it. If the declaration is omitted, the entitlement to a refund may be forfeited.
The safeguarding purpose of the anticipatory tax is particularly evident in the fact that a refund is only made if the declaration is proper. This is intended to prevent investment income from escaping taxation.
Completing the list of securities
The list of securities records all bank accounts, securities and other assets together with the corresponding income and tax values. Banks generally provide tax statements for this purpose, which already prepare many of the details.
It is important to record income from both domestic and foreign securities in full. For foreign income, a foreign withholding tax may also play a role, which is treated separately.
In addition to traditional bank accounts and share portfolios, fund units, bonds and, where applicable, cryptocurrencies also belong in the list of securities. For each position, both the tax value at year-end and the income earned are stated.
Anyone who holds a larger number of positions benefits if the bank documents are already prepared in a structured way. Missing or incomplete details can lead to queries from the tax authority and to delays in the assessment.
- Obtain the tax statement from the bank or broker
- List all accounts and custody accounts in full
- Distinguish between income from domestic and foreign securities
- Transfer the tax values at year-end correctly
- Do not forget fund units and bonds
- Check the details on any crypto assets
Refund of the anticipatory tax
The refund is made automatically through the assessment as soon as the income concerned has been declared in the list of securities. A separate application is generally not necessary in Switzerland.
In the case of a late or subsequent declaration, for example as part of a supplementary declaration, the entitlement to a refund may be restricted. A careful tax return submitted on time is therefore important.
In some cases, the anticipatory tax is not refunded directly but offset against a tax owed. For the taxpayer, this makes no economic difference as long as the declaration has been made in full.
Income with a foreign connection
Anyone who holds securities abroad or earns income from foreign sources must also declare this in the list of securities. Depending on the country, a foreign withholding tax may be partially credited.
Such cross-border situations are often more complex and, in case of uncertainty, should be discussed with a specialist, particularly when double taxation agreements apply.
To have foreign withholding taxes credited, a separate form often has to be completed and submitted together with the tax return. The exact requirements may differ depending on the country of origin of the income.
Change of custody account and digital assets
A change of custody account or bank during the tax year requires particular care so that all income is recorded without gaps. It is advisable to request statements from all institutions involved during the year.
Digital assets such as cryptocurrencies are also subject to a general obligation to declare holdings and any income. As practice in this area is constantly evolving, it is worth consulting the current cantonal guidelines.
Overall, the more complete and clearly organised the documents are, the more smoothly the assessment proceeds and the faster the anticipatory tax is refunded.
What you should have ready
- Tax statements from all banks and custody accounts
- Overview of all accounts and securities
- Documents on foreign income and any withholding tax
- Complete recording in the list of securities
- Check of the tax values at year-end
- Submission of the tax return on time
Frequently asked questions
Sources
General information, not individual tax advice. Status: August 2026. The current guidelines of your canton and the official information of the tax authorities are decisive.
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