EU Threatens Tiny Switzerland Over Low Taxes

[Sallow]

So lets see,Switzerland is doing quite well economically while the EU is on the brink of chaos & ruin. Hey maybe the Swiss are onto something? Whada ya think EU? Just a thought anyway.

the swiss also have national healthcare, forced service in the military and massive cradle to grave entitlements.......

how you like them now?

Yeah..but they really don't have much of a military. They don't contribute anything to the overall defense of the EU. Which is why they do so well.

 

[bripat9643]

Yeah..but they really don't have much of a military. They don't contribute anything to the overall defense of the EU. Which is why they do so well.

None of the EU countries contribute much of anything for the defense of the EU. The United States pays for it all.

 

[editec]

So the EU BankSTERS are attempting to strongarm the most SOCIALIST society in Europe?

Yeah, those Banksters are like that.

They absolutely hate successful socialist countries.

 

[BOBO]

...tried to intimidate the Swiss. Incredibly so did the Americans! People that are herd/group oriented are intimidated by individuality as their too weak to stand on their own two feet.

 

[paulitician]

Leave the Swiss alone. They were the only ones smart enough to stay out of the EU. They're prospering while the EU is in full collapse-mode. They're just looking for a scapegoat. They have brought a whole lot of suffering to their People. They should actually follow Switzerland's lead. Then they might be able to rebuild their nations.

 

[Avorysuds]

LOL, it's like the "tax the rich." "It's THEIR fault we are failling!" lol!!!

 

[Dragon]

Switzerland Tax Rates

Swiss tax rates:

Income tax -- 22.4-44.2%

Corporate tax -- 13-22%

VAT -- 8%

Healthcare in Switzerland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Healthcare in Switzerland is universal[1] and is regulated by the Federal Health Insurance Act of 1994 (Krankenversicherungsgesetz - KVG). Health insurance is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland (within three months of taking up residence or being born in the country)."

Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) - FSIO online

"Switzerland has a solid and effective social insurance network. This situation must also continue in the future, in both good economic times and bad, because a strong social safety net is a major contributor to social harmony.

"The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) is the national centre of expertise on policies related to old-age, invalidity and the family. It plans, manages and monitors the corresponding social insurance systems to ensure that they function effectively. The FSIO also initiates and coordinates reciprocal social security agreements with other countries.

"The Swiss Confederation spends about one quarter of its budget on social welfare. In recent years this amounted to between CHF 13 and 14 billion."

Those of you who are thinking of Switzerland as a bastion of free-market individualistic Randianism against those evil socialistic EU countries, maybe should think again and consult a few facts.

 

[paulitician]

Switzerland Tax Rates

Swiss tax rates:

Income tax -- 22.4-44.2%

Corporate tax -- 13-22%

VAT -- 8%

Healthcare in Switzerland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Healthcare in Switzerland is universal[1] and is regulated by the Federal Health Insurance Act of 1994 (Krankenversicherungsgesetz - KVG). Health insurance is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland (within three months of taking up residence or being born in the country)."

Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) - FSIO online

"Switzerland has a solid and effective social insurance network. This situation must also continue in the future, in both good economic times and bad, because a strong social safety net is a major contributor to social harmony.

"The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) is the national centre of expertise on policies related to old-age, invalidity and the family. It plans, manages and monitors the corresponding social insurance systems to ensure that they function effectively. The FSIO also initiates and coordinates reciprocal social security agreements with other countries.

"The Swiss Confederation spends about one quarter of its budget on social welfare. In recent years this amounted to between CHF 13 and 14 billion."

Those of you who are thinking of Switzerland as a bastion of free-market individualistic Randianism against those evil socialistic EU countries, maybe should think again and consult a few facts.

Not that important. They're a sovereign nation. They can do what they want. Their Taxes are still lower than the EU. And they seem to be doing fine. Now how's the EU doing? Looks like they could learn a thing or two from the Swiss no? Just a suggestion anyway.

 

[Dragon]

Not that important. They're a sovereign nation. They can do what they want. Their Taxes are still lower than the EU.

Apparently not. Of the 27 member nations in the EU, four have corporate tax rates below the LOWEST Swiss rate, and ALL 27 have corporate tax rates below the HIGHEST Swiss rate. About half the EU countries have lower income tax rates than Switzerland, too. All of them seem to have higher VATs, though. Overall, it comes out about even.

 

[PLYMCO_PILGRIM]

So wait the EU is admitting that low taxes attracts business which would create more jobs for citizens of the country the businesses go to?

Hmmmmmmm.....I wonder if we could use that fact to attract more businesses to come to the USA and create jobs?

 

[paulitician]

So wait the EU is admitting that low taxes attracts business which would create more jobs for citizens of the country the businesses go to?

Hmmmmmmm.....I wonder if we could use that fact to attract more businesses to come to the USA and create jobs?

You're giving the EU too much credit. They're not that smart. They're actually angry with Switzerland and are badgering them to raise their Taxes. They're just looking for a scapegoat at this point. The EU is on its death bed. The Swiss were absolute geniuses in not joining. And the EU is obviously pissed about that. The Swiss should just laugh this off and watch the EU continue to crumble.

 

[Dragon]

So wait the EU is admitting that low taxes attracts business which would create more jobs for citizens of the country the businesses go to?

That's the impression the OP wants to create, but it is FALSE. Switzerland DOES NOT have lower corporate tax rates than the EU countries, it just has chaotic ones set independently by each canton.

If you want to learn a lesson from something factual, it's important to, you know, get the facts CORRECT.

You're giving the EU too much credit. They're not that smart. They're actually angry with Switzerland and are badgering them to raise their Taxes.

This, too, is FALSE. The EU wants Switzerland to STANDARDIZE its taxes -- not to raise them. Swiss corporate taxes are already higher in some cantons than those in any EU country.

 

[paulitician]

So wait the EU is admitting that low taxes attracts business which would create more jobs for citizens of the country the businesses go to?

That's the impression the OP wants to create, but it is FALSE. Switzerland DOES NOT have lower corporate tax rates than the EU countries, it just has chaotic ones set independently by each canton.

If you want to learn a lesson from something factual, it's important to, you know, get the facts CORRECT.

You're giving the EU too much credit. They're not that smart. They're actually angry with Switzerland and are badgering them to raise their Taxes.

This, too, is FALSE. The EU wants Switzerland to STANDARDIZE its taxes -- not to raise them. Swiss corporate taxes are already higher in some cantons than those in any EU country.

How bout this? Switzerland just tells the EU to go straight to Hell and mind their own business. Switzerland is a sovereign nation which is not a member of the EU. So who the Hell does the EU think they are? They think they have the right to bully and dictate policies to any sovereign nation they choose? Well to Hell with em. Switzerland is doing just fine without them.

 

[Dragon]

How 'bout we not confuse the issue? The intent of the OP was to give the impression of a high-tax EU that can't compete with low-tax Switzerland so as to give a boost by example to advocates of cutting taxes in the U.S.

Frankly, I consider trade negotiations between Switzerland and the EU a European matter and don't much care about them, but let's at least recognize that the OP's point is not made by the facts of this example.

 

[Toro]

So wait the EU is admitting that low taxes attracts business which would create more jobs for citizens of the country the businesses go to?

That's the impression the OP wants to create, but it is FALSE. Switzerland DOES NOT have lower corporate tax rates than the EU countries, it just has chaotic ones set independently by each canton.

If you want to learn a lesson from something factual, it's important to, you know, get the facts CORRECT.

You're giving the EU too much credit. They're not that smart. They're actually angry with Switzerland and are badgering them to raise their Taxes.

This, too, is FALSE. The EU wants Switzerland to STANDARDIZE its taxes -- not to raise them. Swiss corporate taxes are already higher in some cantons than those in any EU country.

What business is it of the EU that cantons have different tax rates?

 

[SFC Ollie]

Do not our states, even our counties have different tax rates?

What's the problem?

 

[Euroconservativ]

The top federal income tax rate is 11.5%. And flat 8.5% for corporations. Low federal taxes is what allows cantons to engage in tax competition. With two extremes: liberal, pro-welfare and urban Geneve; and conservative and rural Zug, where they have almost one company headquartered for each inhabitant. Inside the same country you can choose cantons where the wealthy barely pay a tax rate of 20%.

Competition and choice are the words. Competition between cantons/states tend to make them more responsible, efficient, pro-business and taxpayers friendly.

The Swiss tax burden is undeniably much lower than in any Western Europe neighbour. The 8% VAT is two or three times lower than in any EU country (Brussels fixes a minimum rate of 15%).

Yes, they enjoy universal health care (mandatory private insurance) without a national social security system. Most social programs are run at local level. In fact the central government is responsible of 1/3 of overall spending, compared with 2/3 in USA and most Europe.

More differences: They have a serious immigration policy. Both economically and culturally. For example, for a low-skilled job, europeans must be given preference by employers over non-europeans. The swiss population is quite stable. The US population grows by 30 million each decade: it only takes 3 years to add as many units as all the people living in Sweden.

Swiss unemployment rate is around 3%, with a 82% activity rate, despite low taxes Their economy is not all about finances. They have a strong manufacturing sector, with exports worth 200 billion euros a year.

Swiss tax rates:

Income tax -- 22.4-44.2%

Corporate tax -- 13-22%

VAT -- 8%

"Healthcare in Switzerland is universal[1] and is regulated by the Federal Health Insurance Act of 1994 (Krankenversicherungsgesetz - KVG). Health insurance is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland (within three months of taking up residence or being born in the country)."

"Switzerland has a solid and effective social insurance network. This situation must also continue in the future, in both good economic times and bad, because a strong social safety net is a major contributor to social harmony.

"The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) is the national centre of expertise on policies related to old-age, invalidity and the family. It plans, manages and monitors the corresponding social insurance systems to ensure that they function effectively. The FSIO also initiates and coordinates reciprocal social security agreements with other countries.

"The Swiss Confederation spends about one quarter of its budget on social welfare. In recent years this amounted to between CHF 13 and 14 billion."

Those of you who are thinking of Switzerland as a bastion of free-market individualistic Randianism against those evil socialistic EU countries, maybe should think again and consult a few facts.

 

[KissMy]

Switzerland is way Karl Marx Socialist. They don't need to tax their citizens for this government generosity. Their government makes most of their money from their huge banks like UBS. These banks rob tax money from other countries by laundering money of the rich to evade taxes from other countries. The small Swiss country gets to tax & launder most of the vast fortunes of the largest economies like the US & European Union. The UBS Bank in Switzerland is twice the size of the entire Swiss economy.

How do you think the rich in the US only pay only 17% tax rates when their tax bracket is 35%? They use Swiss banks.

 

[BluePhantom]

EU Threatens Tiny Switzerland Over Low Taxes

Despite not being a member of the European Union, Switzerland is under intense pressure from Brussels to raise taxes as companies flee high-tax EU welfare states in favor of more business-friendly Swiss cantons. And if the nation refuses to bow down soon, so-called “eurocrats” are threatening retaliation.

Oh jeez.....according to liberals taxation has nothing to do with businesses relocating to foreign nations. I just had a very long argument about that on a different thread. Well lookie there.

 

[SFC Ollie]

EU Threatens Tiny Switzerland Over Low Taxes

Despite not being a member of the European Union, Switzerland is under intense pressure from Brussels to raise taxes as companies flee high-tax EU welfare states in favor of more business-friendly Swiss cantons. And if the nation refuses to bow down soon, so-called “eurocrats” are threatening retaliation.

Oh jeez.....according to liberals taxation has nothing to do with businesses relocating to foreign nations. I just had a very long argument about that on a different thread. Well lookie there.

Taxation is part of it. The cost of labor comes into play also.... Can you hear that Unions?