Register for Value Added Tax

Do you have to register your company for VAT? Send us the details of your company directly online.

Preparation for online registration

Good preparation for the VAT registration will make it easier for you to complete it. Have the following documents/information ready:

• Details of the company/enterprise such as extract from the commercial register and VAT number.
• For legal forms such as sole proprietorship, simple partnership, association or foundation, you will need the national insurance number. This can be found on your AHV/IV insurance certificate or your health insurance card.
• Turnover forecast for the first financial year or, in the case of already active companies, balance sheet and income statement for the last six financial years at most.
• Foreign companies: To complete the registration process you will need the details of your tax representative and the signed Statement of Tax Representation for Switzerland.

Please note:

• The transfer of commercial register data to the UID register can take up to three working days. The date of publication in the Central Business Index www.zefix.ch is decisive for the commercial register.

Questions & answers about VAT registration

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about registering for VAT.

• What technical requirements (browser etc.) must be met?

  You need a browser and a PDF reader to use our online service. The online registration is optimised for the following browsers:
  

  • Internet Explorer (from version 8.0)
  • Firefox (from version 3.5)
  • Safari (from version 4)
  • Chrome (from version 4)
    

  Online registration is based on the Web 2.0 standard. AJAX technology (AJAX = Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is used for the ongoing validation of the input. To do this, your browser must allow the execution of JavaScript (activation in the "Settings" section of the browser).
  

• How should general, work, engineering or architectural consortia be registered?

  As a rule, these have the legal form of a simple partnership. If the simple partnership is already entered in the UID register, you will find your company in the search bar. For companies without a UID, please click on "manual". Then select "Simple partnership".
  

• How can I cancel the completion of the online VAT registration?

  You can cancel all entries with the «Restart» button. Start a new registration or close the page if you want to cancel the entry.

• Will I receive confirmation of an online VAT registration?

  Once the online VAT declaration has been submitted, confirmation of the submission will be displayed, together with the PDF of your declaration. You can download the PDF for your records.
  

• Where can I change the language of submission for an online VAT registration?

  The language can be changed at the top right of the navigation bar. You can choose German, French or Italian.
  

• Have you only recently entered your company in the commercial register, and you cannot find your company in the search bar?

  Please note that it may take a few days for your company to appear in the list. Please try again later.
  

• What is a national insurance number?

  The former AHV number became the social insurance number and was given a new format. It consists of 13 digits. The easiest way to find your social insurance number (AHV number) is on your AHV-IV insurance certificate or your health insurance card.
  

• Can I still change my data after electronic submission?

  Once you have submitted the online VAT return, it is no longer possible to make corrections. Before submitting, make sure that you have entered all the data completely and correctly.
  

• What documents do I need to complete the online VAT registration?

  We recommend that you have the following documents and details to hand:
  

  • Details of the company/enterprise such as an extract from the commercial register and VAT number.
  • For legal forms such as sole proprietorship, simple partnership, association or foundation, you will need the national insurance number. This can be found on your AHV/IV insurance certificate or your health insurance card.
  • Turnover forecast for the first financial year or, in the case of already active companies, balance sheet and income statement for the last six financial years at most.
  • Foreign companies: You will need the details of your tax representative to complete the declaration of authorisation.
    

• How soon will I receive a reply to my electronically submitted online VAT return?

  Your application will be checked quickly. You will receive a written response from us within a few days.
  

• Who can help me with questions?

  Give us a call (German) or send us your question using our contact form.

• Where can I express my opinion on online VAT registration?

  Send us your message using our contact form.
  

EasyGov.swiss

EasyGov.swiss - The online counter for businesses

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us using the contact form.

Specific enquiries (German)

• Inquiries regarding declarations
• Legal inquiries
• Questions about payment

Federal Tax Administration FTA
Main Division Value Added Tax
Schwarztorstrasse 50
3003 Berne