VAT declaration (Switzerland)

This article describes how to set up and generate a value-added tax (VAT) declaration for Switzerland in the official XML format (eCH-0217 eMWST standard). It also describes how to preview the VAT declaration in Microsoft Excel.

To automatically generate the report, you must first create enough sales tax codes to keep a separate VAT accounting for each box on the VAT declaration. Additionally, in the application-specific parameters of the Electronic reporting (ER) format for the VAT declaration, you must associate sales tax codes with the lookup result of the lookups for the boxes on the VAT declaration.

For Switzerland, you must configure three lookups: Turnover lookup, Report field lookup, and Other cash flow lookup. For more information about how to set up application-specific parameters, see the Set up application-specific parameters for VAT declaration fields section later in this article.

In the following table, the "Lookup result" column shows the lookup result that is preconfigured for a specific VAT declaration row in the VAT declaration format. Use this information to correctly associate sales tax codes with the lookup result and then with the row of the VAT declaration.

VAT declaration overview

The VAT declaration in Switzerland contains the following information.

SECTION I - TURNOVER

Line XML element Description Lookup Lookup result
200 totalConsideration The total amount of agreed or collected consideration, including consideration from supplies where the option for taxation has been exercised, transfers of supplies according to the notification procedure, and supplies that are provided abroad (worldwide turnover). Turnover lookup TaxableSupplies TaxableSupplies22 SuppliesToForeignCountries SuppliesAbroad TransferNotificationProcedure SuppliesExemptFromTax VariousDeduction
205 opted Consideration that is reported in line 200 from supplies that are exempt from the tax without credit (article 21), and where the option for taxation according to article 22 has been exercised. Turnover lookup TaxableSupplies22
Deductions
220 suppliesToForeignCountries Supplies that are exempt from the tax, such as exports (article 23), and supplies that are provided to institutional and individual beneficiaries that are exempt from liability for tax (article 107, paragraph 1, lit. a). Turnover lookup SuppliesToForeignCountries
221 suppliesAbroad Supplies that are provided abroad (the place of supply is abroad). Turnover lookup SuppliesAbroad
225 transferNotificationProcedure Transfers of supplies according to the notification procedure (article 38). You should submit Form 764. Turnover lookup TransferNotificationProcedure
230 suppliesExemptFromTax Supplies that are provided in Swiss territory that is exempt from the tax without credit (article 21), and where the option for taxation according to article 22 hasn't been exercised. Turnover lookup SuppliesExemptFromTax
235 reductionOfConsideration Reduction of consideration, such as discounts and rebates. Turnover lookup ReductionOfConsideration
280 variousDeduction Miscellaneous, such as land value and purchase prices in the event of margin taxation. Turnover lookup VariousDeduction
289 Not applicable Total lines 220 through 280. Total 220 + 221 + 225 + 230 + 235 + 280
299 Not applicable Taxable turnover (Line 200 minus Line 289). Total 200 – 289

SECTION II - TAX CALCULATION

Tax due

Line XML element Description Lookup Lookup result
303 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies from January 1, 2024, at a standard rate. Report field lookup SuppliesStandardRate2024
313 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies from January 1, 2024, at a reduced rate. Report field lookup SuppliesReducedRate2024
343 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies from January 1, 2024, at an accommodation rate. Report field lookup SuppliesAccomodationRate2024
383 acquisitionTax / tax rate tax amount Acquisition tax for supplies from January 1, 2024. Report field lookup SuppliesAcquisitionTax2024
UseTaxAcquisitionTax2024 (This result is also reported in full on line 400.)
UseTaxInvestmentsAquisitionTax2024 (This result is also reported in full on line 405.)
Non-deductible tax amount, if any is reported on line 415
302 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies from January 1, 2018, at a standard rate. Report field lookup SuppliesStandardRate
312 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies from January 1, 2018, at a reduced rate. Report field lookup SuppliesReducedRate
342 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies from January 1, 2018, at an accommodation rate. Report field lookup SuppliesAccomodationRate
382 acquisitionTax / tax rate tax amount Acquisition tax for supplies from January 1, 2018. Report field lookup SuppliesAcquisitionTax
UseTaxAcquisitionTax (This result is also reported in full on line 400.)
UseTaxInvestmentsAquisitionTax (This result is also reported in full on line 405.)
Non-deductible tax amount, if any is reported on line 415
301 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies up to December 31, 2017, at a standard rate. This field is discontinued from January 1, 2024. Report field lookup SuppliesOldStandardRate[DISCONTINUED]
311 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies up to December 31, 2017, at a reduced rate. This field is discontinued from January 1, 2024. Report field lookup SuppliesOldReducedRate[DISCONTINUED]
341 supplierTaxRate / tax rate tax amount Supplies up to December 31, 2017, at an accommodation rate. This field is discontinued from January 1, 2024. Report field lookup SuppliesAccomodationOldRate[DISCONTINUED]
381 acquisitionTax / tax rate tax amount Acquisition tax for supplies up to December 31, 2017. This field is discontinued from January 1, 2024. Report field lookup SuppliesAcquisitionTaxOldRate[DISCONTINUED]
399 Not applicable Total amount of tax due (Lines 301 through 382). Total 302 + 312 + 342 + 382 + 303 + 313 + 343 + 383

Input tax

Line XML element Description Lookup Lookup result
400 inputTaxMaterialAndServices Input tax on the cost of materials and supplies of services. Report field lookup InputTaxMaterialAndServices (reported in full)
UseTaxAcquisitionTax (reported in full)
Non-deductible tax amount, if any is reported on line 415
405 inputTaxInvestments Input tax on investments and other operating costs. Report field lookup InputTaxInvestments (reported in full)
UseTaxInvestmentsAquisitionTax (reported in full)
Non-deductible tax amount, if any is reported on line 415
410 subsequentInputTaxDeduction De-taxation (article 32). You should enclose a detailed list. Report field lookup SubsequentInputTaxDeduction
415 inputTaxCorrections Correction of the input tax deduction, both mixed use (article 30) and own use (article 31). Report field lookup InputTaxCorrections (reported in full but with the sign inverted)
Also non-deductible tax amount of transactions from lines 400, 405 is reported here
420 inputTaxReductions Reduction of the input tax deduction: the flow of funds that aren't deemed to be in consideration, such as subsidies and tourist charges (article 33, paragraph 2). Report field lookup InputTaxReductions (reported in full with the sign inverted)
479 Not applicable Total lines 400 through 420. Total 400 + 405 + 410 – 415 – 420
500 Not applicable The amount that is payable. Total 399 – 479, if 399-479 is positive
510 Not applicable The credit in favor of the taxable person. Total 479 – 399, if 479–399 is positive

SECTION III - OTHER CASH FLOWS

Line XML element Description Lookup Lookup result
900 subsidies Subsidies, tourist funds that are collected by tourist offices, contributions from cantonal water, and sewage or waste funds (article 18, paragraph 2, lit. a through c). Other cash flow lookup Subsidies
910 donations Donations, dividends, payments of damages, and so on (article 18, paragraph 2, lit. d through l). Other cash flow lookup Subsidies

Purchase reverse charge VAT

If you configure sales tax codes to post incoming acquisition tax (reverse charge VAT) by using use tax, associate your sales tax codes with the lookup result of Report field lookup that contains "UseTax" in the name.

Alternatively, you can configure two separate sales tax codes: one for VAT due and one for VAT deduction. Then associate each code with the corresponding lookup results of Report field lookup.

For example, for supplies from January 1, 2018 - acquisition tax, you configure sales tax code UT_S_RC with use tax, and associate it with the UseTaxAcquisitionTax lookup result of Report field lookup. In this case, amounts that use the UT_S_RC sales tax code are reflected on lines 382 and 400 with the full amount, and on line 415 with the non-deductible amount, if there is any.

Alternatively, you configure two sales tax codes:

  • VAT_S_RC, which has a tax rate value of -7.7 percent
  • InVAT_S_RC, which has a tax rate value of 7.7 percent

You then associate the codes with lookup results in the following way:

  • Associate VAT_S_RC with the SuppliesAcquisitionTax lookup result of Report field lookup.
  • Associate InVAT_S_RC with the InputTaxMaterialAndServices lookup result of Report field lookup.

In this case, amounts that use the VAT_S_RC sales tax code will be reflected on line 382. Amounts that use the InVAT_S_RC sales tax code will be reflected on line 400 with full amount, and on line 415 with the non-deductible amount.

For more information about how to configure reverse charge VAT, see Reverse charges.

Configure system parameters

To generate a VAT declaration, configure the UID (company identification number).

  1. Go to Organization administration > Organizations > Legal entities.
  2. Select the legal entity, and then select Registration IDs.
  3. Select or create the address in Switzerland, and then, on the Registration ID FastTab, select Add.
  4. In the Registration type field, select the registration type that is dedicated to Switzerland, and that uses the Enterprise ID (COID) registration category.
  5. In the Registration number field, enter the UID number in the following format: CHE-123.456.789.
  6. On the General tab, in the Effective field, enter the date when the number becomes effective.
  7. Repeat these steps to set up a line with the VAT number. In this case, select the registration type that uses the VAT Id registration category, and enter the number in the following format: CHE-123.456.789 TVA/MWST/IVA.

For more information about how to set up registration categories and registration types, see Registration IDs.

Set up a VAT declaration for Switzerland

Import ER configurations

Open the Electronic reporting workspace, and import the following versions or later of these ER formats:

  • VAT Declaration XML (CH) version 96.16
  • VAT Declaration Excel (CH) version 96.16.9

Set up application-specific parameters for VAT declaration fields

To automatically generate a VAT declaration, associate sales tax codes in the application and lookup results in the ER configuration.

Set up Turnover lookup

Follow these steps to define which sales tax codes generate which boxes in section I, "Turnover."

  1. Go to Workspaces > Electronic reporting, and select Reporting configurations.

  2. Select the VAT declaration XML (CH) configuration, and then select Configurations > Application specific parameters setup.

  3. On the Application specific parameters page, on the Lookups FastTab, select Turnover lookup.

  4. On the Conditions FastTab, set the following fields to associate the sales tax codes and operations.

    Field Description
    Lookup result Select the value of the turnover. For more information about the turnover values and their assignment to VAT declaration rows, see the VAT declaration overview section earlier in this article.
    Tax code Select the sales tax code to associate with the operation. Posted tax transactions that use the selected sales tax code will be collected in the appropriate declaration box. We recommend that you separate sales tax codes in such a way that one sales tax code generates amounts in only one declaration box.
    Transaction classifier

    If you created enough sales tax codes to determine a declaration box, select *Not blank*. If you didn't create enough sales tax codes so that one sales tax code generates amounts in only one declaration box, you can set up a transaction classifier. The following transaction classifiers are available:

    • Purchase
    • PurchaseExempt (tax-exempt purchase)
    • PurchaseReverseCharge (tax receivable from a purchase reverse charge)
    • Sales
    • SalesExempt (tax-exempt sale)
    • SalesReverseCharge (tax payable from a purchase reverse charge or a sales reverse charge)
    • Use tax

    For each transaction classifier, a classifier for the credit note is also available. For example, one of these classifiers is PurchaseCreditNote (purchase credit note).

    Note

    Associate all sales tax codes with lookup results. If any sales tax codes should not generate values in section I, associate with the Other lookup result.

    Application specific parameters page for Turnover lookup.

Set up Report field lookup

Follow these steps to define which sales tax codes generate which boxes in section II, "Tax calculation."

  1. On the Application specific parameters page, on the Lookups FastTab, select Report field lookup.

  2. On the Conditions FastTab, associate the sales tax codes and report fields.

    Note

    Be sure to associate all sales tax codes with lookup results. If any sales tax codes should not generate values in section II, associate them with the Other lookup result.

    Application specific parameters page for Report field lookup.

Set up Other cash flow lookup

Follow these steps to define which sales tax codes generate the amount in section III, "Other cash flows."

  1. On Application specific parameters page, on the Lookups FastTab, select Other cash flow lookup.

  2. On the Conditions FastTab, associate the sales tax codes and other cash flow elements.

    Note

    As the last line in the setup, create a line where you associate the *Not blank* value of the tax code with the Other lookup result. This line indicates that all other sales tax codes that aren't defined in previous rows don't generate amounts in section III.

    Application specific parameters page for Other cash flow lookup.

  3. In the State field, change the value to Completed.

  4. On the Action Pane, select Export to export the settings of the application-specific parameters.

  5. Select the VAT declaration Excel (CH) configuration, and then, on the Action Pane, select Import to import the parameters that you configured for VAT declaration XML (CH).

  6. In the State field, select Completed.

Set up the VAT reporting format for preview amounts in Excel

  1. In the Feature management workspace, enable the VAT statement format reports feature.

  2. Go to General ledger > Setup > General ledger parameters.

  3. On the Sales tax tab, on the Tax options FastTab, in the VAT statement format mapping field, select the VAT declaration Excel (CH) ER format.

    This format will be printed when you run the Report sales tax for settlement period report. It will also be printed when you select Print on the Sales tax payments page.

  4. On the Tax authorities page, select the tax authority, and then, in the Report layout field, select Default.

If you're configuring the VAT declaration in a legal entity that has multiple VAT registrations, follow these steps.

  1. Go to General ledger > Setup > General ledger parameters.
  2. On the Sales tax tab, on the Electronic reporting for countries/regions FastTab, on the line for CHE, select the VAT Declaration Excel (CH) ER format.

Set up electronic messages

Download and import the data package that has example settings for electronic messages

The data package contains electronic message settings that are used to generate the VAT declaration in XML format and preview it in Excel. You can extend these settings or create your own. For more information about how to work with electronic messaging and create your own settings, see Electronic messaging.

  1. In LCS, in the Shared asset library, select Data package as the asset type, and then download CH VAT declaration EM package. The downloaded file is named CH VAT declaration EM package.zip.
  2. In Finance, in the Data management workspace, select Import.
  3. On the Import FastTab, in the Group name field, enter a name for the job.
  4. On the Selected entities FastTab, select Add file.
  5. In Add file dialog box, verify that the Source data format field is set to Package, select Upload and add, and then select the zip file that you downloaded earlier.
  6. Select Close.
  7. After the data entities are uploaded, on the Action Pane, select Import.
  8. Go to Tax > Inquiries and reports > Electronic messages > Electronic messages, and validate the electronic message processing that you imported (CH VAT declaration).

Configure electronic messages

  1. Go to Tax > Setup > Electronic messages > Populate records actions.
  2. Select the line for CH Populate VAT return records, and then select Edit query.
  3. Use the filter to specify the settlement periods to include on the report.
  4. If you must report tax transactions from other settlement periods in a different declaration, create a new Populate records action, and select the appropriate settlement periods.

Preview the VAT declaration in Excel

Preview the VAT declaration in Excel from the Report sales tax for settlement period periodic task

  1. Go to Tax > Periodic tasks > Declarations > Sales tax > Report sales tax for settlement period.

  2. Set the following fields.

    Field Description
    Settlement period Select the settlement period.
    Sales tax payment version

    Select one of the following values:

    • Original: Generate a report for the sales tax transactions of the original sales tax payment or before the sales tax payment is generated.
    • Corrections: Generate a report for the sales tax transactions of all the subsequent sales tax payments for the period.
    • Total list: Generate a report for all the sales tax transactions for the period, including the original and all corrections.
    From date Select the start date of the reporting period.
  3. Select OK, and review the Excel report.

Settle and post sales tax

  1. Go to Tax > Periodic tasks > Declarations > Sales tax > Settle and post sales tax.

  2. Set the following fields.

    Field Description
    Settlement period Select the settlement period.
    Sales tax payment version

    Select one of the following values:

    • Original: Generate the original sales tax payment for the settlement period.
    • Latest corrections: Generate a correction sales tax payment after the original sales tax payment for the settlement period was created.
    From date Select the start date of the reporting period.
  3. Select OK.

Preview the VAT declaration in Excel from a sales tax payment

  1. Go to Tax > Inquiries and reports > Sales tax inquiries > Sales tax payments, and select a sales tax payment line.

  2. Select Print report.

  3. In the Electronic report parameters dialog box, set the fields as explained earlier in this article. Then review the Excel file that is generated for the selected sales tax payment line.

    Note

    The report is generated only for the selected line of the sales tax payment. If you must generate, for example, a corrective declaration that contains all corrections for the period, or a replacement declaration that contains original data and all corrections, use the Report sales tax for settlement period periodic task.

Generate a VAT declaration from electronic messages

When you use electronic messages to generate the report, you can collect tax data from multiple legal entities. For more information, see the Run a VAT declaration for multiple legal entities section later in this article.

The following procedure applies to the example electronic message processing that you imported earlier from the LCS Shared asset library.

  1. Go to Tax > Inquiries and reports > Electronic messages > Electronic messages.

  2. In the left pane, select CH VAT declaration.

  3. On the Messages FastTab, select New, and then, in the Run processing dialog box, select OK.

  4. Select the message line that is created, enter a description, and then specify the start and end dates for the declaration.

    Note

    Steps 5 through 7 are optional.

  5. Optional: On the Messages FastTab, select Collect data, and then select OK. The sales tax payments that were generated earlier are added to the message. For more information, see the Settle and post sales tax section earlier in this article. If you skip this step, you can still generate a VAT declaration by using the Tax declaration version field in the Declaration dialog box.

  6. Optional: On the Message items FastTab, review the sales tax payments that are transferred for processing. By default, all sales tax payments of the selected period that weren't included in any other message of the same processing are included.

  7. Optional: Select Original document to review the sales tax payments, or select Delete to exclude sales tax payments from processing. If you skip this step, you can still generate a VAT declaration by using the Tax declaration version field in the Declaration dialog box.

  8. On the Messages FastTab, select Update status. In the Update status dialog box, select Ready to generate, and then select OK. Verify that the message status is changed to Ready to generate.

  9. Select Generate report. To preview the VAT declaration amounts, in the Run processing dialog box, select Preview report, and then select OK.

  10. In the Electronic reporting parameters dialog box, set the following fields, and then select OK.

    Field Description
    Settlement period Select the settlement period. If you selected Collect data in step 5, you can disregard this field. The report will be generated for the sales tax transactions that are included in the collected sales tax payments.
    Tax declaration version

    Select one of the following values:

    • Original: Generate a report for sales tax transactions of the original sales tax payment or before the sales tax payment is generated.
    • Corrections: Generate a report for sales tax transactions of all the subsequent sales tax payments for the period.
    • Total list: Generate a report for all sales tax transactions for the period, including the original and all corrections.

    If you selected Collect data in step 5, you can disregard this field. The report will be generated for the sales tax transactions that are included in the collected sales tax payments.

  11. Select the Attachments button (paper clip symbol) in the upper-right corner of the page, and then select Open to open the file. Review the amounts in the Excel document.

  12. Select Generate report.

  13. To generate a VAT declaration in XML format, in the Run processing dialog box, select Generate report, and then select OK.

  14. In the Electronic reporting parameters dialog box, set the fields as described earlier in this procedure, and then select OK.

To use the formats to report the VAT declaration for a group of legal entities, you must first set up the application-specific parameters of the ER formats for sales tax codes from all required legal entities.

Follow these steps to set up electronic messages to collect data from multiple legal entities.

  1. Go to Workspaces > Feature management.

  2. Find and select the Cross-company queries for the populate records actions feature in the list, and then select Enable now.

  3. Go to Tax > Setup > Electronic messages > Populate records actions.

  4. On the Populate records action page, select the line for CH Populate VAT return records.

    In the Datasources setup grid, a new Company field is available. For existing records, this field shows the identifier of the current legal entity.

  5. In the Datasources setup grid, add a line for each additional legal entity that must be included in reporting. For each new line, set the following fields.

    Field Description
    Name Enter a value that will help you understand where this record comes from. For example, enter VAT payment of Subsidiary 1.
    Message item type Select VAT return. This value is the only value that is available for all the records.
    Account type Select All.
    Master table name Specify TaxReportVoucher for all the records.
    Document number field Specify Voucher for all the records.
    Document date field Specify TransDate for all the records.
    Document account field Specify TaxPeriod for all the records.
    Company Select the ID of the legal entity.
    User query This checkbox is automatically selected when you define criteria by selecting Edit query.
  6. For each new line, select Edit query, and specify a related settlement period for the legal entity that is specified in the Company field on the line.

    When the setup is completed, the Collect data function on the Electronic messages page collects sales tax payments from all legal entities that you defined.