Cantons should be able to compensate for the abolition of imputed rental value
Published: Thursday, Dec 19th 2024, 10:20
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The cantons are to be given the option of compensating for the loss of income resulting from the abolition of the imputed rental value with a substitute tax. Parliament has approved a corresponding amendment to the constitution.
Following the National Council, the Council of States also approved the introduction of a property tax on second homes on Thursday. After the small chamber voted 21 to 18 with 5 abstentions, it approved the bill in the overall vote by 22 to 16 with 6 abstentions.
Many members of the Council of States grudgingly voted yes because the day before, the National Council's unpopular concept to abolish the imputed rental value had prevailed. According to this, there is to be a complete change of system. The imputed rental value is to be abolished for owner-occupied primary and secondary properties.
For a long time, the Council of States called for only primary residences to be exempt from imputed rental value taxation. One of the reasons it gave for this was the resistance of many cantons to exempting second homes, as this would result in a large reduction in income. As compensation, the possibility of levying a property tax is now to come into force at the same time. However, the cantons would be free to levy such a tax.
The two bills now have to survive the final votes on Friday (tomorrow). Even after that, it is likely to be some time before the imputed rental value is actually abolished. The new property tax is subject to a mandatory referendum. Its introduction therefore requires a yes vote from the people and the cantons. In view of the sometimes great skepticism from various camps, the referendum is likely to be a high hurdle.
©Keystone/SDA
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