Previously, married couples in Switzerland were taxed jointly. In most cases, married couples pay higher taxes because they file one joint return.
When both spouses are high earners, they pay higher taxes. The amount of their income is subject to high tax rates.
The guidelines are intended to implement an initiative that advocates individual taxation regardless of marital status.
Under the proposed changes, married couples would file two separate tax returns and would be subject to the same rules as unmarried couples.
Also, the amount of the child deduction applicable to direct federal tax will be increased from 6,600 to 12,000 francs.
The process of introducing new principles of individual taxation will be gradual and the decrease in budget revenues will not be felt for several years.