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Tax advisory for construction companies in Fey: the practical guide

Tax advisory for construction companies in Fey rests on three pillars: federal law that applies across Switzerland, cantonal deadlines worth knowing, and tools that eliminate re-keying. This guide puts it all in order, fact by fact.

The Swiss legal frame for tax advisory

Responsibility for the books is personal: in an SA, organising the accounting is one of the board's non-transferable duties (art. 716a CO); in a Sàrl, the managing directors carry the same duty. Outsourcing the execution never transfers that underlying responsibility, including for a company based in Fey.

One simple principle drives tax advisory: 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.

Outsource tax advisory or keep it in-house?

Splitting roles clearly avoids duplication: the company captures documents and approves payments; the fiduciary checks postings, closes the year and defends the file before the authorities. Each side does what it does best — and nobody keys the same invoice twice.

For tax advisory, a quarterly 30-minute check-in with the fiduciary beats an annual marathon: questions get handled while they are small.

Swiss VAT: rates, threshold and filings

Three rates coexist in Switzerland: 8.1% for most supplies, 2.6% for everyday essentials and 3.8% for accommodation. Businesses staying under CHF 100,000 a year are exempt from registration but may opt in voluntarily — useful to reclaim input VAT on investments.

Returns are filed quarterly (effective method) or twice a year (net tax rate method). Either way the rule is identical: file and pay within 60 days after the end of the period. An annual reconciliation with the accounts is required — this is where sloppy data entry gets expensive.

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Year-end closing: how the mechanics work

Depreciation follows rates accepted by tax practice (property, machinery, IT): staying within those ranges avoids reassessments. Exceeding them is justified — and documented, in Fey as anywhere.

The notes complete the figures: valuation principles, liabilities towards pension institutions, contingent liabilities, or the number of full-time positions. Careful notes reduce questions from the auditor and the banks.

Fey: what changes, what does not

Fey (postal code 1044, canton Vaud) applies the same federal rules as the rest of the country: what changes in Fey are the cantonal counterparts — tax administration, compensation office, commercial register.

Fey requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 1044 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.

Frequently asked questions

Effective VAT method or net tax rate: how to choose?

The effective method deducts actual input VAT and files quarterly; the net tax rate method applies a flat industry rate to turnover, semi-annually, with no separate input VAT deduction. The flat rate suits low-cost structures; as investments grow, the effective method usually wins again. The choice rests on the company's own figures, in Fey as anywhere.

When is entry in the commercial register mandatory?

A Sàrl and an SA only come into existence with their registration. A sole proprietorship must register from CHF 100,000 of annual revenue; below that, registration stays voluntary but adds credibility and protects the business name. Registration goes through the canton's commercial register office — for Fey too.

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 Fey.

Which documents should be prepared for the year-end closing?

Bank and cash statements at the closing date, the inventory of stock and work in progress, final AHV/LPP/accident settlements, contracts signed or amended during the year, invoices straddling two years and the detail of accruals. With an up-to-date document archive, most of it is already there. The list is identical in Fey: the CO dictates it, not the commune.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

MyFiducia.ai automates tax advisory for businesses in Fey: AI-read documents, posting suggestions, VAT and exports ready for your fiduciary. Try the platform or browse our other guides.

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    Tax advisory for construction companies in Fey — Swiss guide