Invoice scanning paperless in Vallon: what every SME should know
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 Vallon.
Digitalising invoice scanning: 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 Vallon as everywhere.
For invoice scanning, migrating history must not block the start: begin on day one of the current financial year and import the history later if needed.
QR-bills and friction-free collections
The QR-bill is generated from the accounts, not the other way round: the document is born with its reference, amount and due date already linked to the receivable entry — a clear win for SMEs in Vallon.
A business in Vallon can collect by QR-bill even without sophisticated software: what matters is that every incoming payment finds its invoice, manually or automatically.
The Swiss legal frame for invoice scanning
Three documents summarise the health of a Swiss business: the balance sheet (what it owns), the income statement (what it earns) and the notes (what else you should know). All the work of invoice scanning converges on those three pages, in Vallon too.
For invoice scanning, the classic early mistake remains mixing private and business: a dedicated bank account and documented private withdrawals eliminate half the discussions with the tax office.
A well-structured SME chart of accounts
A good chart of accounts tells the story of the business: classes 1 and 2 describe what it owns and owes, class 3 what it sells, classes 4 to 6 what it consumes. Private accounts (sole proprietorships) and shareholder current accounts (Sàrl/SA) must stay spotless: they are the first thing examined in a tax audit.
For a business in Vallon, the Sterchi/Käfer structure also eases benchmarking: banks and fiduciaries reason on those standard classes to situate an SME's invoice scanning.
Vallon: what changes, what does not
Sole proprietorship, Sàrl or SA in Vallon: the AHV contact remains the competent compensation office, and taxes follow the scales of the canton Fribourg.
For a business in Vallon, that means VAT returns identical to anywhere in Switzerland, but a tax return and family allowances governed by the canton Fribourg.
Frequently asked questions
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 Vallon.
What is the difference between a limited and an ordinary audit?
The ordinary audit applies to companies exceeding, for two consecutive years, two of three thresholds: CHF 20 million balance sheet total, CHF 40 million revenue, 250 full-time positions. Others fall under the limited audit, and those with no more than ten full-time positions on annual average can opt out with all shareholders' consent. These federal thresholds do not depend on the registered seat — in Vallon as anywhere.
How long must records related to invoice scanning be kept?
Ten years from the end of the financial year concerned (art. 958f CO). Electronic retention is permitted if the integrity and readability of the records are guaranteed — a serious digital archive validly replaces paper binders. A business in Vallon can therefore archive fully digitally.
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 Vallon, family allowances follow the canton's rates.
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MyFiducia.ai automates invoice scanning for businesses in Vallon: 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.