Kempt
In short
A Swiss tax return for an employee needs the salary certificate from each employer, the pillar 3a and any pension buy-in certificates, a tax statement for every bank account and securities account at 31 December, certificates for debts and mortgage interest, and receipts for what you deduct: health costs not reimbursed, childcare, commuting and training.Bring last year’s assessment too. Deadlines and some deductions differ by canton. Kempt finds these papers on your Mac by what they say and tells you which one is missing.
Without any app
Income
The salary certificate (form 11) from every employer of the year. Add the certificates for pensions (AHV/AVS, pension fund), unemployment or sickness benefits, and any alimony you received. The self-employed bring their annual accounts.
Assets at 31 December
A tax statement from each bank for every account: balance at 31 December and interest paid. For securities, the tax statement of the custody account: it lists dividends and the 35% withholding tax you can reclaim by declaring them. Add the surrender value of life insurance and the year-end value of any crypto.
Deductions
The pillar 3a certificate, any pension fund buy-in certificate, health insurance premiums, the insurer’s statements for medical costs not reimbursed, childcare invoices, a public transport pass or commuting costs, training costs and donation receipts. What counts, and the caps, depend on your canton.
Debts and property
The certificate of debts and interest at 31 December for a mortgage or loan. Owners add the tax value or rental value of the property and the invoices for upkeep.
Last year and the form
Last year’s return and assessment notice, and the letter with your access code if you file online. Your canton’s tax office lists the deadline and how to ask for an extension.
| Document | Issued by | Why it’s needed |
|---|---|---|
| Salary certificate (form 11) | Each employer | Income and social contributions |
| Tax statement at 31 Dec | Each bank | Balances and interest (wealth and income) |
| Securities tax statement | Bank or broker | Dividends, 35% withholding tax to reclaim |
| Pillar 3a certificate | Bank or insurer | Deductible contributions |
| Pension buy-in certificate | Pension fund | Deductible buy-in |
| Health insurance premiums and statements | Health insurer | Premiums and medical costs not reimbursed |
| Debt and mortgage interest certificate | Bank or lender | Deductible interest, debts at 31 Dec |
| Childcare invoices | Nursery or childminder | Childcare deduction |
General list for employees; deductions, caps and deadlines vary by canton. Check your canton’s tax office for your year.
With Kempt
- 1
Each paper, found by what it says
Open Ask your files and type “salary certificate 2025” or “UBS tax statement”: Kempt reads the PDFs and scans on your Mac and shows the one you mean, with its page.
- 2
Their list, checked against your Mac
Paste your fiduciary’s email or list into Prepare the papers: Kempt reads it in French or English, finds the papers you have, says what’s missing and lists anything it can’t judge for you to check yourself.
- 3
One reply, written by you
Kempt opens a draft in Mail with the papers attached in their order. You check it and press Send; nothing leaves your Mac before that.
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Questions people ask
What documents do I need for my Swiss tax return?
Your salary certificate, pillar 3a certificate, tax statements for every bank and securities account at 31 December, debt and mortgage interest certificates, and receipts for health costs, childcare, commuting and training. Bring last year’s assessment.
What do I give my fiduciary for my tax return?
The same papers, plus the letter with your access code and any change in your situation (marriage, birth, move, new job). Most fiduciaries send a list each spring; answer it with one email and everything attached.
Where do I find my salary certificate?
Your employer issues it early in the year, usually with the January or February payslip or in the payroll portal. Ask HR if it’s missing.
How do I get back the 35% withholding tax?
By declaring the securities and their income in your return, with the bank’s tax statement. The canton credits or refunds it.
How long should I keep my tax papers in Switzerland?
Keep what supports your return for as long as the year can be reviewed; businesses must keep accounting records for ten years (Code of Obligations, art. 958f).