In the canton of Solothurn, the same deadline applies for the levy as in most other cantons. The tax rate in the canton of Solothurn is slightly above the average of the Swiss cantons. Each year, the Cantonal Tax Administration informs all residents who have reached the age of 18 to submit their tax return.
Tax rate in the canton of Solothurn
In the canton of Solothurn, the tax rate is slightly above the average of all Swiss cantons.
While the average is 33.6 percent, the tax rate in the canton of Solothurn is 33.7 percent.
Residents of the canton are taxed not only by their canton, but also by the federal government and the municipality. In addition, those who belong to the church must pay a church tax. The municipalities levy taxes at different rates, as they set the municipal tax rates and report them to the cantonal tax administration.
In addition to income tax, residents in the canton of Solothurn must pay wealth tax, which is levied on all assets. It is calculated in parts per thousand. Inheritance or gift tax is payable on an inheritance or gift.
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Cantonal Tax Administration of the Canton of Solothurn
Every year, the Cantonal Tax Administration of the Canton of Solothurn asks residents who have reached the age of 18 to submit a tax return in writing. The tax return can be submitted in digital form, as in all cantons. The web address of the Cantonal Tax Administration is https://so.ch/verwaltung/finanzdepartement/steueramt/
Postal address of the cantonal tax administration Solothurn
Tax office
Schanzmühle
Werkhofstrasse 29c
4509 Solothurn
Contact is also possible by phone or via the contact form. The telephone number can be found on the website of the Cantonal Tax Administration. A mouse click there also leads to the contact form.
Anyone with questions about tax returns or deadlines can also contact their local municipal office.
Tax software accepted in the canton of Solothurn
In the canton of Solothurn, as in all other cantons, tax returns can be submitted in digital form. Tax software makes it easier to file your tax return online. Individual cantons accept different tax software. In the canton of Solothurn, the eTax tax software is accepted, which can be accessed via the website of the cantonal tax administration and can be completed online. A download is not required.
Taxpayers must log in with their credentials to use the tax software. A flyer, which can be downloaded from the Cantonal Tax Administration website, provides information on how to use the tax software. In addition, support via e-mail and a telephone hotline are available.
If you want to avoid mistakes in the tax return and make it easier for yourself, you can also have the whole thing filled out by a tax advisor.
Deadlines for filing the tax return in the canton of Solothurn
The individual cantons themselves determine the deadline for submitting the tax return.
As in most Swiss cantons, the tax return in the canton of Solothurn must be submitted by March 31.
This ordinary deadline always applies to the current year. The tax return is filed in the current year for the previous year. The tax return for 2022 must be received by the cantonal tax administration by March 31, 2023.
If it is not possible to file the tax return within the ordinary deadline, an extension of the deadline until the July 31 to be applied for. A form for this purpose is available on the website of the cantonal tax administration. There is no fee for this. If this deadline cannot be met, a further extension of the deadline is possible until November 30 of the current year.
The request must be submitted in writing to the cantonal tax administration, stating the reasons.
A fee of CHF 30 will be charged for this. Only in exceptional circumstances for which the taxpayer is not responsible, for example in the event of an accident, is it still possible to extend the deadline beyond November 30. The request must be submitted in writing with reasons. A fee of CHF 30 will be charged for this as well.
Consequences of failure to comply with the deadline and failure to file the tax return
Anyone who does not submit their tax return on time in the canton of Solothurn and does not submit a request for an extension of the deadline will receive a reminder from the cantonal tax administration. A new deadline is set with the reminder. A reminder fee of CHF 60 will be charged for this. After receipt of the reminder, a request for a grace period may be submitted to the cantonal tax administration. If the taxpayer does not meet this deadline either, he will receive another reminder for which a reminder fee of CHF 60 will also be charged.
Anyone who does not submit a tax return and does not respond to the reminder will be fined at least CHF 200. The fine can also be increased up to CHF 10,000 if the case is serious. A serious case exists in case of repetition and suspicion of tax evasion.
Possibility of payment relief in the canton of Solothurn
In the event of hardship and financial difficulties, taxpayers in the canton of Solothurn may apply in writing to the cantonal tax administration for payment relief after receiving the tax assessment notice. The form for this is available on the website of the cantonal tax administration. Payment relief is possible in the form of installment payments or short-term deferrals. Hardship or financial need must be demonstrated with supporting documentation.
What is tax-free in the canton of Solothurn?
In the canton of Solothurn, the pay of militia firefighters is tax-free up to CHF 10,000 per year if it is granted in connection with the performance of core duties. Winnings from state-licensed money games are also tax-free if they are large games, up to CHF 1 million per game. Winnings from lottery and skill games for sales promotion are tax-free up to CHF 1,000 per game.
What is tax deductible in the canton of Solothurn?
- In the canton of Solothurn, various expenses are tax deductible:
- Expenses for Covid 19 measures for home office as part of professional expenses.
- Costs for travel between home and work by public transport in full amount
- Expenses for travel between home and work by bicycle, motorcycle or car in a lower amount
- Professional expenses, for example for clothing, study room and technical literature
- Professional expenses in the case of sideline employment up to 20 percent of income, minimum CHF 800, maximum CHF 2,400
- Maintenance costs for private real estate
- Special deduction if both spouses are gainfully employed up to CHF 1,000 if both earn a low income
- Costs for external care of children up to the age of 14 up to CHF 12,000 per child and year
- Sickness and accident costs
- Premiums for life, accident and health insurance policies
- Donations to charitable organizations
- Membership fees and donations to political parties up to CHF 20,000
- Education and training costs up to CHF 12,000 per year
- Stakes on winnings from cash games up to CHF 5,000 per game, maximum CHF 25,000 per year
More facts about Solothurn
The canton of Solothurn has an area of 791 square meters. The number of inhabitants at the end of July 2021 was 278,508. The canton has ten districts and 109 communes. The capital of the canton is Solothurn.