Switzerland has federal, cantonal and municipal taxation. The federal income tax is only one layer; cantons and municipalities set their own tax rates, multipliers and deductions. That is why a city-to-city comparison can matter more than a simple Switzerland-wide salary estimate.

Yes, it is designed to be useful for expats and internationally mobile employees, not only Swiss residents. It includes withholding-tax language, canton and municipality comparison, and scenarios that people search for when moving to Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Zug, Vaud or Ticino.

Withholding tax, often called source tax, is deducted directly from salary for many foreign employees without a C permit. The applicable tariff depends on canton, marital status, children, religion and income. In many cases, people earning at least CHF 120,000 per year go through subsequent ordinary assessment.

Yes. Enter net wealth to include cantonal and municipal wealth tax in the profile. This matters because a low-income-tax municipality is not always the cheapest once wealth, family deductions and local rules are considered.

Often yes, especially for high-income households. But the calculator deliberately shows monthly and 10-year differences so you can compare the tax saving with rent, property prices, commuting, health insurance premiums and childcare costs.

Pillar 3a contributions reduce taxable income up to the statutory maximum. For employees with a pension fund, the maximum is CHF 7,258 in 2025 and 2026. The tax value depends on canton, municipality, income and marginal tax rate.

Yes, but the switch is deliberately off by default. When enabled, the calculator subtracts the 2026 BAG adult premium for the standard model with accident cover, based on canton and selected deductible. Married households count two adult premiums. Child premiums and individual insurance models are not included yet, and the premium is not a tax; it is a private cost paid after payroll.

The calculator separates taxes from estimated social security. AHV, IV, EO and ALV can be modelled fairly consistently, while BVG pension-fund and NBU accident-insurance deductions depend more on employer plan, age and insurance setup.

There is no single answer. Zug-area municipalities often rank well, but the cheapest place can change for families, retirees, wealthy households, church-tax situations or source-tax profiles. Use the ranking for your own inputs rather than relying on a generic canton list.