Switzerland: The Swiss Federal Tax Administration has opened a consultation on draft VAT guidance for e-sports, covering the taxability of virtual sporting events, entry fees, prize money and online access services. The guidance clarifies that electronic sporting events held in virtual environments are not exempt from VAT, and that entry and registration fees are taxable supplies. Online access services for participants and viewers are treated as electronic services subject to place-of-supply rules.
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VatCalc · 2 months ago
Switzerland is considering legislation to extend the 3.8% reduced VAT rate for hotel accommodation until 1 January 2036, while the standard rate is set to rise to 8.8% in 2026. The current reduced rate expires on 1 January 2028 unless extended, and the Federal Assembly recently blocked any increase beyond 3.8%.
Le News · 4 months ago
The Swiss federal government plans to increase VAT by 0.8 percentage points over a decade (2028‑2038) to raise CHF 31 bn for defence. The proposal requires a constitutional amendment, a new armaments fund law, and a national referendum in summer 2027. Consultation ends in May, with only the Centre party supporting the measure.
VatCalc · 5 months ago
Switzerland is considering a 0.8 percentage‑point increase in its standard VAT rate from 8.1% to 8.9% to raise about CHF 31 billion for defence spending over ten years. The proposal, announced by the Federal Council in January 2026, would need parliamentary approval and a 2027 referendum. A separate 0.7 percentage‑point VAT rise to 8.8% for pension reforms was approved in April 2024 and is expected to take effect on 1 January 2028, pending a 2027 referendum.
Meyka · 5 months ago
On 12 February 2026 the Swiss Federal Supreme Court ruled that Chalet AG, a single‑asset company holding a St Moritz chalet, was used to avoid VAT and ordered repayment of CHF 865,000 in input‑tax credits. The decision clarifies that private‑use assets cannot claim broad VAT input credits and signals stricter scrutiny of form‑over‑substance structures in Switzerland.
Le News · 6 months ago
Switzerland’s Federal Council proposes a temporary 0.8‑percentage‑point increase in VAT to raise CHF 31 billion over ten years, aimed at funding a substantial rise in defence spending. The detailed proposal is due in March, with voters expected to decide in summer 2027 and the hike taking effect in 2028.
Politico · 6 months ago
Switzerland will temporarily increase its VAT rate by 0.8 percentage points from 8.1% to 8.9% starting in 2028 for a decade to raise about 31 billion Swiss francs for defense spending. The change requires a constitutional amendment and a public consultation in spring, and the extra revenue will feed an armament fund with borrowing capacity.
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Key Takeaways
As of 15 July 2026, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration’s draft guidance excludes electronic sporting events from the VAT exemption for sporting events, as they lack substantial physical activity.
As of 15 July 2026, the guidance treats entry and registration fees for domestically supplied electronic sporting events as taxable supplies.
As of 15 July 2026, the guidance classifies prize money received by participants as income from taxable services.
As of 15 July 2026, the guidance applies place-of-supply rules to online access services for participants and viewers when the event occurs exclusively online.
Primary source
Read the full article at Bloomberg TaxThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 18 July 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Switzerland. The original source is Bloomberg Tax.
