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AHV settlement for startups in Paudex: rules, deadlines, best practice

Between VAT, social contributions and the year-end close, a Swiss SME juggles dozens of deadlines a year. This page focuses on AHV settlement in Paudex: what the law requires, what can be automated, and when to delegate.

The Swiss legal frame for AHV settlement

Swiss accounting law has been unified in the Code of Obligations since 2013: the same bookkeeping rules (art. 957a CO) and retention rules (art. 958f CO — 10 years for books, vouchers and reports) apply regardless of legal form. AHV settlement sits squarely within this frame, including for companies based in Paudex.

The good news: the Swiss frame is stable and predictable. Structure AHV settlement once — chart of accounts, document flow, calendar — and the same organisation pays off for years.

Salaries and social contributions: the rates to know

Expense claims are payroll in the broad sense: actual reimbursements against receipts, or flat rates approved by the cantonal tax office in an expense policy. Without a clear rule, every reimbursement becomes a debate.

For AHV settlement, 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

January: salary declaration to the compensation office and salary certificates. End of February, May, August, November: quarterly VAT returns (effective method), each to be filed and paid within 60 days after the quarter ends. Within six months of year-end: approved annual accounts. Then: the tax return under cantonal deadlines, with extensions possible.

An SME in Paudex that holds its calendar twelve months straight changes its position: fewer official reminders, easier extensions — and AHV settlement stops being a source of worry.

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Digitalising AHV settlement: what actually works

Digitising does not mean hoarding PDFs: without the document-entry link, a digital file is as opaque as a box of archives — true in Paudex as everywhere.

Electronic archiving is fully recognised: Swiss bookkeeping regulation admits electronic retention of records provided integrity and readability are guaranteed for the 10 years of art. 958f CO. A paper binder is no longer an obligation — provided the archiving system is serious.

Paudex: what changes, what does not

Working with a fiduciary from Paudex no longer depends on geography: the documents of a business in Paudex are shared online, while the canton Vaud keeps its own deadlines for the tax return.

For a business in Paudex, that means VAT returns identical to anywhere in Switzerland, but a tax return and family allowances governed by the canton Vaud.

Frequently asked questions

What is simplified bookkeeping and who can use it?

Sole proprietorships and partnerships under CHF 500,000 of revenue may limit themselves to recording income, expenses and assets (art. 957 para. 2 CO). Once over the threshold — or upon founding a Sàrl or an SA — full accounts with balance sheet, income statement and notes become mandatory. The CHF 500,000 threshold is assessed the same way in Paudex.

Do you need a fiduciary for AHV settlement, 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 Paudex.

Can AHV settlement be automated with AI?

Largely, yes: automatic document reading, posting suggestions, bank reconciliation via QR references and VAT exports. Human approval remains essential — AI prepares, the professional checks. That is exactly how MyFiducia.ai approaches AHV settlement.

Does MyFiducia.ai work for a business based in Paudex?

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 Paudex manages its documents, VAT and exports exactly as anywhere in Switzerland.

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

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

The application is operated in French.