Social security contributions fees in Onex: the practical guide
Swiss accounting law (art. 957 ff. of the Code of Obligations) sets a precise frame, yet day-to-day practice often stays fuzzy. This guide walks through what actually matters for a business based in Onex.
The Swiss legal frame for social security contributions
AHV audits and VAT audits follow the same logic: start from the documents, trace to the entries, check consistency. A business in Onex with a clean audit trail sails through these exercises.
One simple principle drives social security contributions: every franc in or out must be explainable by a document, an entry and an account. All of Swiss accounting law fits inside that traceability requirement.
Salaries and social contributions: the rates to know
Two of these contributions are set by law: AHV/IV/APG at 5.3% and unemployment at 1.1%, both payable by the employer. The others — LPP, accident insurance, possibly daily sickness benefits and family allowances — depend on the insurer, the industry and the pension plan. The total surcharge usually falls between 12 and 20% of gross pay, and employee deductions between 10 and 15%: these are orders of magnitude, not statutory rates.
For social security contributions, the practical challenge is the calendar: AHV instalments during the year, salary declaration to the compensation office in January, salary certificates for staff, and final LPP/accident settlements. A clean payroll base avoids unpleasant catch-up invoices.
A Swiss SME's accounting calendar
Three families of deadlines shape the year: federal (VAT within 60 days, salary declaration in January), cantonal (tax return, extensions depending on the canton, including in Onex) and internal (closing, general meeting within six months). Mixing them up is the leading cause of delays.
For social security contributions, year-end is prepared in October: last invoices, investment decisions, provisions to assess — December is too late to act, January is for recording.
Outsource social security contributions or keep it in-house?
Responsibility stays with the client: the fiduciary executes with care, but the signed accounts bind the company. Understanding what you sign is not optional.
A business in Onex can combine the models: internal day-to-day entry, monthly external supervision, closing and taxes with the specialist — social security contributions splits very well.
Onex: what changes, what does not
Sole proprietorship, Sàrl or SA in Onex: the AHV contact remains the competent compensation office, and taxes follow the scales of the canton Geneva.
Onex requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 1213 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.
Frequently asked questions
Which social contributions does a Swiss employer pay?
AHV/IV/APG: 5.3% employer share (the same is withheld from the employee); unemployment insurance: 1.1% each up to CHF 148,200 a year; occupational pension (LPP) by age and plan (employer at least 50%); occupational accident insurance paid by the employer; family allowances by canton. For an employer in Onex, family allowances follow the canton's rates.
Do you need a fiduciary for social security contributions, or can you do it yourself?
Both are defensible. Below CHF 500,000 of revenue, a sole proprietorship may keep simplified accounts itself. As soon as payroll, VAT and a closing with tax stakes are involved, professional support prevents mistakes that cost more than the fees. With a shared platform, the fiduciary does not even need to be in Onex.
Does MyFiducia.ai work for a business based in Onex?
Yes: the platform runs online, the rules applied are federal (VAT, CO, AHV), and the file can be shared with any fiduciary. A business in Onex manages its documents, VAT and exports exactly as anywhere in Switzerland.
What are the current Swiss VAT rates?
Since 1 January 2024: 8.1% (standard), 2.6% (reduced — for example food and medicines) and 3.8% (accommodation). Returns must be filed and paid within 60 days after the period ends (quarterly under the effective method, semi-annually under the net tax rate method). These federal rates apply unchanged in Onex.
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MyFiducia.ai automates social security contributions for businesses in Onex: AI-read documents, posting suggestions, VAT and exports ready for your fiduciary. Try the platform or browse our other guides.
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