EDWARD'S LECTURE NOTES:
More notes at http://tanguay.info/learntracker
C O U R S E
Switzerland in Europe
Christa Tobler, University of Basel
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C O U R S E L E C T U R E Swiss Federalism and Corporate Taxation Notes taken on January 27, 2017 by Edward Tanguay |
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The European Commission
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the executive body of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU
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accused Switzerland of predatory tax regimes
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the Swiss cantons played an important role
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the Swiss state structure
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Switzerland is a confederation
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Confoederatio helvetica
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today Switzerland is a federation
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similar to Mexico, Germany, Russia, India, Australia, Canada, and the United States of America
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federations made up by a number of sub-states
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in Switzerland, these are called cantons
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26 cantons
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Canton of Jura became a canton in 1978
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one of chambers of government represents the cantons
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each canton has two representatives there
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six semi-cantons have only one vote
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Basel-Stadt
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the other chamber represents the people
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there are 2300 Swiss municipalities
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income taxation
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levied on three levels
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federation
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cantons
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municipalities
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tax competition between the cantons and municipalities
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from 14% to 30%
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Swiss Federal Tax Harmonisation Act
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allows Cantons to introduce preferential tax regimes with respect to certain types of companies as well as profits