Switzerland

Switzerland is the enigma of Europe, IMO. Politically and culturally arguably similar to the US, more so than the highly socialist structures of Germany/France.

 

For starters, technically, Switzerland isn't Europe. It sits right in the middle of Europe, but isn't part of it. So it has its own currency, customs and everything.

Rumor goes that income taxes are very low, but that only is valid if you live in a populated area.

I don't know the politics, but the swiss I've met were very german-like when it came to lifestyle.

That's all I know ...

 

Switzerland is very very selective in who gets a residence visa. You have to pay to play there.

 

Live in China. Many more opportunities. Its the wild West right now.

Europe is boring after Asia...

 

Do you mean the "old" German style or the "new" style.
The old is more of a very strict, disiplined, orderly type, while the new is far more liberal, crazy, and almost "French"

I assume it's the old style since it's different from the rest of Europe.

 

Wasn't aware of the new german style, but I definitely meant strict, disciplined, and somehow cold.

BTW, I'd aim for Asia too!!! Most likely much more interesting!

 

That's the way I like my Germans Great people, most of them. Well the older ones at least

 

There are four seasons. Winters include several inches of snow. Summers are warm, but not especially humid; I'd guess highs are probably around 85-90ish.

I'd guess it's not part of the EU or UN because it would see that as a movement away from its strict neutral position. IIRC, Switzerland has been neutral for the better part of a thousand years.

Not familiar with their economic situation, but last time I was there, people weren't starving.

 

Forget any tax haven status if you are a US citizen. You pay regardless of where you live.

To me, its well worth the cost.

 

Ya, but don't they pay alot less?? And what's being a US citizen have anything to with it??

Monnaco's a tax shelter too , but the cost is much higher to join

 

Doesn't matter that its a shelter for everyone else, you pay US taxes based on your worldwide income.

 

Hi Westworld, I'm a Swiss now living here in Canda I would like to give you some information:

1) In Switzerland we have 4 national languages, (Italian, French, German, Rumantsch)

2)The population is around 6.6 mio

3) We are in the top 5 richest country in the world

4) East and major of North is German speaking, Western is French speaking and south Italian speaking, Rumantsch is south-west.

5) Actually taxes are highest in dense populated area, an example is Zuerich Kanton [2.2 mio. people] were taxes are 120%, instead in Tessin [200k people] around 70%

6) Weather depends where do you live. In some places you can reach -35 C in winter [St. Moritz], and in Tessin [where I come from] speaking as of now it is 4 C with no inches of snow. Usually in Summer we reach 35-40 degrees C.

7) We are not part of UE not because we are afraid of losing neutrality, but just in the 90's there has been a public vote and we voted against since the population thought that it would not be beneficial to enter UE, for example our sales taxes are 7% in the UE are 20% so this means that if we enter we need to raise our taxes too.

8) No it is not particulary tax heaven, just that we take very much in consideration privacy of people. We do not have paparazzi or nothing like that, everybody minds their own business. Usually houses are fenced with gated doors and trees so that you can't see in.

Hope this helps.

The major information you can find them at http://www.ch.ch/urn:ch:en:ch:ch:01

Cheers ilo

 

I was the youngest executive at the largest management consulting company in the world at age 21. They had a $100m project underway that they needed a chief technical architect for and they tapped my shoulder.

The company had a temporary HQ in Frankfurt, but moved to Geneva after four months of my stay there. When we arrived, they had two offices, one on each border. One on the French side in Ferney Voltaire and the other on the Swiss side in Geneva.

To this day I tell everyone that the best irish pub I've ever been to was in France. If you go, go to Paddy's Pub in Ferney Voltaire and get their Chicken Sandwich with a Guiness. To die for.

At any rate, the Swiss/French countryside is amazing, and EXPENSIVE. This is not a place that you can go and stay/tour cheaply. Everything is astronomical, from gas to groceries... the cool thing is that it's about 4 hours from anywhere you want to go in Europe- and an American passport gives unfettered access.

I highly recommend the trip with two caveats:

1. Have an expense account or a fat personal wallet

2. Have gastro-bypass surgery so eating is of little concern.



Have fun!

 

PS - Switzerland is not exactly known for it's crazy nightlife. Live there when you are rich and married or retired.

 

Short answer: yes.

As long as you are a US citizen, you pay US taxes on your worldwide income. Period.

 

If you live outside of the US for 5 or more years CONSECUTIVELY you don't have to pay any Federal Income Tax, unless you make more than (currently) 75000.00 per year.

My sister has lived in Venezuala for 15 years and I speak to her often and visit her often and we've discussed this many times. She makes less than 75000.00 per year so she doesn't pay federal income tax. She still FILES on some special form and her deadline isn't April 15, it's in June, because she lives outside the country.

 

Well, that's only partially true. If you are out of the country a certain number of days out of a 365 day period, the first $X are not taxable. In the early 90's, IIRC, it was be out of the country for 330 days of a 365 day perdiod, the first $70K was non-taxable.

 

You say that now. But at the end of the day, there is no place like home. Try living overseas for a while, anywhere, before you make the plunge.

We considered getting a small flat in Switzerland, but we would actually prefer a place in the NC mountains instead.