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Sole proprietorship checklist in Cazis: the practical guide

Sole proprietorship checklist in Cazis 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.

Choosing the structure: Sàrl, SA or sole proprietorship

A Sàrl requires CHF 20,000 of fully paid-in capital; an SA CHF 100,000 of which at least CHF 50,000 paid in. Both require a notarised deed and entry in the commercial register. A sole proprietorship arises from mere activity — registration only becomes mandatory from CHF 100,000 of annual revenue.

A Sàrl and an SA must also appoint an auditor, unless they opt out (no more than ten full-time positions on annual average and unanimous shareholder consent). Many young companies start without one, then appoint an auditor when growth or investors demand it.

Digitalising sole proprietorship: what actually works

The classic digitalisation traps are avoidable: scanning without quality control (unreadable records), stacking disconnected tools (double entry in disguise), or neglecting access rights. One single flow from document to entry, with clear roles, beats five shiny apps.

For an owner in Cazis, a dashboard only has value if the data is fresh: automating data entry means, first of all, buying up-to-date information about your own business.

The Swiss legal frame for sole proprietorship

Whether a business sits in Cazis or elsewhere in Switzerland, the same federal law applies — one of the strengths of the Swiss system for sole proprietorship. Cantonal differences concentrate on taxation (rates, filing deadlines); bookkeeping itself follows art. 957 ff. CO everywhere.

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

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Swiss VAT: rates, threshold and filings

Taxable consideration is not limited to the invoiced price: barter, set-offs and benefits in kind count too. The safe reflex: every economic advantage received is documented and qualified.

A business in Cazis that crosses the threshold mid-year must register without delay: retroactive registration with interest always costs more than signing up on time.

Cazis: what changes, what does not

Sole proprietorship, Sàrl or SA in Cazis: the AHV contact remains the competent compensation office, and taxes follow the scales of the canton Grisons.

Cazis requires no special bookkeeping: the Code of Obligations applies at postal code 7408 as everywhere else, and a well-kept digital file transfers smoothly to any auditor in the canton.

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 Cazis.

When must a business register for VAT?

As soon as its worldwide annual turnover reaches CHF 100,000 (CHF 250,000 for non-profit sports or cultural associations). Below that, voluntary registration remains possible and often makes sense to reclaim input VAT on investments. The threshold is federal: it applies in Cazis as everywhere in Switzerland.

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 Cazis: the CO dictates it, not the commune.

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 Cazis.

Also worth reading

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Switch to accounting that keeps itself up to date

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

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