Terrorist threat against Switzerland is heightened, expert says; ‘Quickzoll’ users are now be able to declare their purchases abroad more accurately; and more news in our roundup on Monday.
Experts believe terrorist threat against Switzerland is heightened
According to the Federal Intelligence Service (FIS), the terrorist threat against Switzerland has grown stronger, especially from the jihadist movement.
“The greatest threat comes from isolated individuals or small groups targeting locations that are difficult to protect,” FIS said.
The agency is monitoring “notable individuals” on jihadist websites, social networks, and forums. The number of these users has increased from 922 to 958 since last November.
So far this year, the intelligence service is keeping an eye on 44 persons deemed to pose a serious security risk in Switzerland.
‘Quickzoll’ users will now be able to declare their purchases abroad more accurately
There is good news for ‘shopping tourists’ from Switzerland who shop abroad and use the Quickzoll app.
Until now, users could not distinguish between the two Value Added Tax (VAT) rates – the standard 8.1 percent and the reduced 2.6 percent.
But now they can enter their purchases separately: products subject to the 8.1-percent rate and those subject to 2.6 percent can be declared in two distinct categories. The app then automatically calculates the VAT due.
This change should be particularly helpful for people who buy a lot of food abroad, since many food items qualify for the reduced rate.
Where your taxes go: Government spends 50 billion francs on public subsidies
More than 20,000 recipients benefit from federal financial assistance, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office.
Social welfare – including the state and disability pensions – takes the biggest chunk out of state coffers – 50.6 billion francs in 2025.
Next (but far below) is transportation (8.3 billion), as well as education and research (8.2 billion), followed by lesser amounts spent on agriculture (3.6 billion), international cooperation (2.3 billion), and economy (1.9).
Government contributions to the environment, culture, security, as well as healthcare fall below the 1-billion mark.
Zurich resident pursued for 5 centimes in unpaid taxes
Tax debts are taken very seriously in Switzerland, as one Zurich resident found out.
He received a letter from the local Debt Enforcement Office informing him that he underpaid his taxes by 5 cents.
As a result, debt enforcement proceedings had been initiated against him, and he ultimately had to pay 36.25 francs in punitive fees.
“I found that a bit excessive,” he said, not understanding why the missing 5-cent amount could not have just been added to his next tax bill.
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