Mountain cantons reject system change for residential property taxation
Published: Friday, Nov 22nd 2024, 14:20
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The mountain cantons reject a change in the system of residential property taxation and the introduction of a property tax on second homes. This was decided by the intergovernmental conference on Friday. The reason given was that a change of system would result in major tax losses for the Confederation and the cantons.
In addition, the mountain cantons would be disproportionately affected at a time when austerity programs are being put together everywhere, it was further argued.
The mountain cantons also reject the proposed introduction of a new property tax to compensate for the loss of revenue, according to a press release issued by the intergovernmental conference on Friday. This would raise numerous new legal and demarcation issues and increase bureaucracy. It was therefore rejected by 19 of the 26 cantons.
At 50 percent or more, the proportion of home ownership is significantly higher in the mountain cantons than in urban areas, where it is less than 30 percent. The number of second homes is also higher in the mountain cantons than in the midland cantons.
Tax losses of 120 million francs
"Not taxing secondary properties alone would result in tax losses of around CHF 120 million per year in the cantons of Valais and Graubünden," warns the Intergovernmental Conference of the Mountain Cantons.
According to estimates by the Federal Tax Administration, the resolutions passed by the National Council in September would result in a loss of revenue of around CHF 1.7 billion for the Confederation, cantons and municipalities at an interest rate of 1.5 percent, the compensation of which would not be acceptable in the current debate on savings, according to the Intergovernmental Conference of the Mountain Cantons.
The responsible Council of States committee wants to approve a compromise proposal from the National Council. According to this, the imputed rental value should also be abolished for second homes and not just for primary residences. However, the Council of States committee wants to use a clause to ensure that the cantons have the option of levying a property tax on second homes at the same time.
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