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"I couldn’t help but wonder: how complicated is the Swiss tax system really…?"
Welcome to Tax and the City – the blog and podcast from taxum AG, your personal tax boutique in the heart of Zurich.
This is about something that affects us all, but that few people really like to talk about: taxes. Easy to understand, relevant to everyday life, and with a touch of humor - for reading and listening.
Whether you’re an expat just arriving in Switzerland or a self-employed individual navigating issues like AHV, VAT, and tax returns - we bring clarity to complex questions. Without complicated jargon. Instead, with professionalism, style, and genuine expertise.
It’s now also available as a podcast - personal, clear, and to the point.
Tax and the City stands for personalized service rather than anonymity, and for a boutique approach rather than mass processing.
Because we believe that good tax advice doesn’t have to be dry. It should be relevant - and to the point. Whether it’s on our blog or in our podcast, the main thing is that it sticks.
You can listen to the podcast here
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From Dream Home to Tax Trap: When the New Kitchen in Your Property Suddenly Isn’t Tax-Deductible – with Jürg Furter
In dieser Folge von Tax and the City spricht Julia Tatje mit Immobilienunternehmer Jürg Furter über Renovationen in der Schweiz - und darüber, warum Bauchgefühl allein weder eine Baustelle noch eine Finanzierung trägt.
Julia Tatje
5 days ago3 min read
Why do so many women leave their finances in their partner’s hands - until life suddenly takes a different turn from what they’d planned? With Clara Creitz
Julia Tatje talks to financial planner and Finelles founder Clara Creitz about financial independence, part-time work, pension gaps, the ‘marriage penalty’ and the financial risks of cohabitation.
Julia Tatje
Sep 233 min read
How to object to your Swiss tax assessment decision
I couldn't help but wonder … are the best intentions ever good enough for the Swiss tax authorities?
The same rendezvous can feel completely different to two people. You might go home feeling newly in love, only to find out later that your date didn’t feel the same way – or vice versa. It’s just as frustrating when your tax return doesn’t match your tax assessment.
Julia Tatje
Sep 155 min read
American in Switzerland? These Tax & Investment Traps Could Cost You with Arielle Tucker
In this episode, Julia Tatje speaks with Arielle Tucker, CFP® and IRS Enrolled Agent at Connected Financial Planning, about what happens when Swiss and US tax and financial planning collide.
Julia Tatje
Sep 93 min read
What happens to your home when life suddenly takes you somewhere else? With Andreas Delis
Julia Tatje talks to Andreas Delis, founder of Smart Depart, about the realities of renting out a furnished home temporarily, why trust matters more than perfect photos, and why the most stressful part of going abroad often happens just before you leave.
Julia Tatje
Aug 262 min read
Preliminary tax bill: Should I pay or adjust?
Yet another tax bill in your mailbox? Learn what a preliminary tax bill in Switzerland is and when you need to pay.
Julia Tatje
Aug 187 min read
The One Where Insurance Isn't Boring Anymore with Carole Janser
In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Carole Janser, insurance specialist at SIFA , to uncover the biggest insurance misconceptions in Switzerland especially for internationals, entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals.
Julia Tatje
Aug 122 min read
Moving to Switzerland Without the Stress - Relocation, Taxes & Expat Life with Julia Kaufmann
In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Julia Kaufmann, co-founder of Alliance Relocation, who has spent years helping international professionals and their families successfully settle into life in Switzerland.
Julia Tatje
Jul 293 min read
If the professionals don't pay attention, you'll end up paying the price with Christine Manger
In dieser Folge unterhält sich Julia Tatje mit Christine Manger, Senior Art Directorin und Kommunikationsdesignerin über das Gefühl, bei der eigenen Steuererklärung nur eine Nummer zu sein.
Julia Tatje
Jul 152 min read
7 toxic tax mistakes that really hurt!
I couldn't help but wonder … how can you do everything right if you don't even know what's wrong? Anyone who’s ever been in a toxic relationship knows the feeling: your partner expects you to do everything right and to guess their every wish. And heaven forbid you say the wrong thing or make a mistake. Filing your tax return can feel pretty similar. The Swiss tax office also expects you to get everything right and not forget a thing. However, tax mistakes in Switzerland happe
Julia Tatje
Jul 86 min read
Building Financial Foundations Before Chasing Returns - Financial Planning That Actually Makes Sense with Nadine Hunkeler
In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Nadine Hunkeler, founder and CEO of Finance Phoenix, certified financial planner, educator, and passionate advocate for financial literacy in Switzerland.
Julia Tatje
Jul 13 min read
Pressure, Paperwork & Peace of Mind - Why Taxes Feel Heavier Than They Are with Catherine Peloquin
Julia Tatje sits down with Catherine Peloquin, executive coach supporting leaders who communicate and perform under pressure, to explore why taxes trigger such intense stress responses, especially for highly capable, internationally mobile professionals who otherwise seem to handle everything.
Julia Tatje
Jun 222 min read
Swiss tax workshop: A valuable employee benefit in 2026
Truly understanding Swiss taxes: With our tax workshops as an employee benefit, it's possible without boredom or technical jargon.
Julia Tatje
Jun 94 min read
The episode in which we ask ourselves: Why do we talk about weddings - but not about what happens when life doesn't go as planned? with Seraina Herold
We plan weddings, real estate purchases, and careers down to the last detail - but when it comes to topics like prenuptial agreements, wills, or power of attorney, things suddenly go quiet. Why is that, anyway? In this episode of Tax and the City, Julia Tatje speaks with Zurich-based attorney Seraina Herold about the very conversations that many people put off for too long - even though these are the very issues that can later determine their peace of mind, potential conflict
Julia Tatje
Jun 32 min read
RSUs and Vesting – What No One Tells You About the Tax Impact with Willem Roux and Bastian Thurneysen
RSUs can look simple until they vest and the tax bill arrives. In this episode of Tax and the City, Julia Tatje, Willem Roux, and tax lawyer Bastian Thurneysen unpack how Restricted Stock Units are taxed in Switzerland, why vesting creates taxable income, and how international professionals can avoid costly surprises with equity compensation and cross-border taxation.
Julia Tatje
May 72 min read
Real estate abroad – taxes in Switzerland?
Do you have to pay taxes in Switzerland for a property abroad? We explain the declaration and taxation
Julia Tatje
May 65 min read
You Can Afford It. That Doesn’t Mean You Can Buy It - The Truth About Buying Property in Switzerland with Peter Bloemsma
Can foreigners buy property in Switzerland? Many assume budget is the only barrier, but Swiss law tells a different story. In this episode of Tax and the City, Julia Tatje and Peter Bloemsma explain Lex Koller, property restrictions for internationals, and why permission determines what you can buy. Learn how residency status, permits, and tax rules shape Swiss real estate ownership.
Julia Tatje
Apr 292 min read
Why Waiting to Invest Costs You Thousands (Especially for Women in Switzerland) with Cristina Jaeger
Investing for women often gets postponed, not because of a lack of ambition, but because of uncertainty. In this episode of Tax and the City, Julia Tatje and Cristina Jaeger explore why delaying financial decisions can become costly, especially for internationally mobile women. Learn how investing, pension planning, and financial confidence shape long-term wealth and why waiting even two years can make a significant difference.
Julia Tatje
Apr 153 min read
ANobAG or self-employed? A guide to working across borders.
As an ANobAG, you have to take care of certain things yourself. Here you can find out whether, in Switzerland’s eyes, you are truly self-employed. Or if, as an employer, you are unintentionally employing an ANobAG. And we help you navigate the rules and regulations.
Julia Tatje
Apr 135 min read
What to do before imputed rental value becomes history? With Bastian Thurneysen
Julia Tatje talks to Bastian Thurneysen, a lawyer at Burckhardt, about the mistakes being made right now and why today's decisions will have long-lasting effects – even after 2028.
Julia Tatje
Apr 12 min read
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