The Swiss “Inheritance Tax Initiative.”

If a proposed 50% inheritance and gift tax passes, wealthy Swiss residents may consider moving out of the country. The federal government will levy this tax in addition to municipal or cantonal taxes.

Currently, there are no federal taxes at the federal level.

The taxes will vary from canton to canton, usually over certain thresholds.

Taxpayers can claim a one-off tax exemption of all gifts and estate after the enactment of CHF 50 million (about $59 million).

The Federal Chancellery certified that they had secured enough signatures to hold an initiative vote on the controversial proposal.

Credits: TaxNotes, William Hoke