Verrechnungssteuer Declaration on Dividends (Form 102)
When a Swiss company pays dividends (or other capital distributions) to shareholders, it must withhold 35% Verrechnungssteuer and declare it to the ESTV within 30 days. Form 102 (Meldung der verrechnungssteuerpflichtigen Leistung) is the declaration of taxable performance subject to withholding.
Who this applies to
- Swiss AG paying dividends to shareholders
- Swiss GmbH paying dividends to Gesellschafter
- Swiss cooperatives distributing surplus
- Swiss entities paying interest on bonds or certain bank deposits above CHF 200
What to file
Form 102 (available on estv.admin.ch): company details, tax period, total gross dividend paid, withholding tax amount (35%), net amount paid to shareholders, shareholder details, and declaration signature. Payment of the withheld 35% to the ESTV must accompany the filing.
How to file
Form 102 is submitted to the ESTV directly (not via the cantonal authority — Verrechnungssteuer is a federal tax). Online submission available via the ESTV portal. Payment to ESTV by bank transfer. IBAN published on the ESTV website.
Payment due
Simultaneously with Form 102 — 30 days after dividend payment. No grace period. Interest at 5% per year applies from day 31 onwards on any unpaid Verrechnungssteuer.
Penalties for missing this deadline
Interest at 5% per year from the due date. Failure to withhold and remit is the company's liability — the ESTV can assess the gross-up amount on the company (i.e. if CHF 65,000 was paid without withholding, the ESTV treats the CHF 65,000 as the net amount and demands CHF 35,000 additional tax). Criminal penalties apply for wilful evasion.
Filing checklist
- Board resolution and AGM minutes approving the dividend amount and payment date
- Calculation of gross dividend, 35% withholding, net payment
- IBAN for payment to ESTV
- Form 102 completed in full
- Shareholder register excerpt confirming share ownership at dividend record date
- Evidence of dividend payment to shareholders
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing 30 days after the resolution date rather than the actual payment date — the clock runs from payment, not resolution
- Using Form 106 (notification procedure) without prior ESTV approval — only available for qualifying inter-group dividends with prior authorisation
- Paying only the net dividend without withholding and then trying to recover the 35% from shareholders after the fact
- Not filing when distributing share capital reduction or nominal value reductions (these may also be treated as taxable distributions)
Never miss a Switzerland deadline
AccountsOS tracks every Federal Tax Administration (ESTV/FTA) and Commercial Register (Handelsregister) — Zefix deadline and reminds you weeks ahead.
Try Free