Gold taxation in Switzerland: what you need to know
Wealth tax, capital gains and VAT: the Swiss legal framework.
Swiss taxation of precious metals is overall more favorable than in most European countries. The essentials to remember:
VAT: Pure gold (≥ 995‰) in bars and coins is 0% exempt. Silver, platinum, and palladium are taxed at 7.7%. Gold jewelry is taxed at 7.7% regardless of purity.
Capital Gains Tax: In Switzerland, capital gains realized by individuals on movable assets (including precious metals) are not taxed if the gold is not held for professional purposes (regular commercial activity).
Wealth Tax: Physical gold is included in the base for cantonal wealth tax. It must be declared at its market value at the end of the fiscal year. The recommended reference value is the closing price on December 31.
Inheritance: Precious metals transmitted by inheritance are subject to cantonal inheritance taxes. Some cantons (Vaud, Fribourg) apply exemptions for direct linear transmissions. Consult a local notary.