The ‘subsequent ordinary assessment’ explained

I couldn't help but wonder... can tax returns be a love language too?

Letters, poems, love songs: finding just the right words to express our love has always been the peak of romance. Anyone who falls in love with Switzerland – the place where peaks and romance meet – initially expresses their affection through Swiss withholding tax. But when infatuation turns into true love, it's time for the NOV (nachträgliche ordentliche Veranlagung). This ‘subsequent ordinary assessment’ is the proof of true love: If it's NOV, it's LOVE!

Let's discuss when it's time to declare your love for Switzerland – and how to find the right words (and figures).

'Tax me baby, one more time': What is a subsequent ordinary assessment?

Like the first "I love you," the withholding tax is fairly easy to understand: non-Swiss citizens who earn an income are automatically taxed. This applies, for example, to foreign employees with a B or L permit, cross-border commuters, or artists who perform in Switzerland.

This makes it all the more confusing when you still wind up getting a letter from the tax office - and having to fill out a tax return. It's almost as if Switzerland added a ‘but’ to its declaration of love. Actually, what we call a ‘subsequent ordinary assessment’, is an even greater proof of love:

The NOV means that you are even more closely connected to Switzerland than you thought. For example, through assets or a higher income to be taxed.

'I just called to say: I love you." But when is the NOV necessary?

The three magic words in Swiss taxation are therefore ‘subsequent ordinary assessment’. And someone has to say them first – either you or Switzerland. The subsequent ordinary assessment is either mandatory or you opt for it voluntarily. Either way, in many cases you have to register for it yourself. And you have to do so within the deadline.

1. The mandatory subsequent ordinary assessment

All romance aside, the mandatory NOV is really just about facts and figures. If you earn more than CHF 120,000 gross or own residential property in Switzerland, the NOV will be applied. You will then receive a (love) letter from the tax office.

In addition, there are different thresholds depending on the canton. On the one hand, for taxable assets – from bank accounts and gold to shares, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, this can be a lot (yes, even assets in foreign accounts!). On the other hand, there are thresholds for additional income, such as interest and dividends or family allowances. As the following table shows, these thresholds are not always that high.

Exemplary thresholds in selected cantons (as of 2025)

Canton	Income that’s not subject to withholding tax	Taxable assets
Aargau	from CHF 10,000	from CHF 100,000
Schwyz	from CHF 2,000	from CHF 50,000
train	from CHF 2,000	from CHF 100,000
Zurich	from CHF 3,000	from CHF 80,000

Please note: ‘Mandatory’ does not equal ‘automatic’

This is where it gets tricky, because the Swiss tax office does not necessarily know when you exceed the thresholds. And this often happens faster than you think. So you need to keep an eye on this yourself—and also register yourself in good time for subsequent ordinary assessment.

Many people don't do this because they don't know any better. But ignorance does not protect you from punishment. As a tax boutique, we are often called in to help file the first tax return with a C permit, only to realise that the NOV would have been necessary long ago. In such cases, the only thing that helps is a voluntary disclosure without penalty. And you can only use this opportunity once in your lifetime.

You're better off talking to us directly about your NOV. Because at taxum AG we speak the language of love AND taxes, we'll be happy to help you with this. We know the thresholds in all cantons and whether you need to file a tax return.

2. The voluntary subsequent ordinary assessment

If you do not exceed any thresholds, you can voluntarily opt for the NOV. This allows you to claim deductions  that are not taken into account in withholding tax: for example, childcare costs, alimony payments, continuing education, or contributions to pillar 3a.

'I will always tax you,' says Switzerland. Because the NOV is here to stay!

'Look well before you leap' also applies to subsequent ordinary assessment. Once you have registered, you must complete the NOV every year. Sooner or later, many then apply for a C permit and submit a normal tax return.

Others forego the C permit in order to benefit from the lower withholding tax rate in the long term. After all, in the 21st century, not everyone wants to be committed! This can make sense, for example, for married couples or in municipalities with high tax rates.

You should therefore only opt for voluntary NOV if it is worthwhile in the long term – the same applies to the C permit. We will be happy to calculate this and give you an individual recommendation. Let's talk about it.

'My tax will go on' – how to submit a subsequent ordinary assessment

Whether voluntary or mandatory due to a threshold value, you must report the NOV to the tax office by the end of March of the following year at the latest! This is a strict deadline that you must not miss. Therefore, do not hesitate to show your affection for Switzerland.

Then things become less romantic again, as you will receive a tax return to fill out. Once correctly completed, it will indicate your tax rate and your taxable income and assets. The withholding tax paid to date will be considered an advance payment and credited accordingly.

This checklist explains what you can deduct from your taxes. But you can save yourself the heartache and get direct support from taxum AG. We love that!

Does Switzerland have 'Hungry Eyes?' Why you may have to pay additional taxes.

If you claim a lot of deductions, you have probably paid too much withholding tax. In this case, you will receive a refund. If the advance payment is insufficient, you will receive a supplementary claim. This may cause heartache, but there is usually a good reason for it.

The most common reasons for additional tax payments

1. You may live in a municipality with a higher tax rate. As withholding tax is calculated on an average basis for the entire canton, the effective tax rate in your municipality may be higher. (However, a refund may also be possible if the tax rate is lower.)

2. You may have income that is not subject to withholding tax, or you may have assets that are taxed. If these are particularly high, it increases the tax bill.

3. 3. You are married, because in that case the incomes are added together in the tax return, often resulting in a higher tax burden on the total income. Withholding tax is only calculated on the respective income of each spouse, which can lead to additional payments. (Yes, many Swiss people are not ‘crazy in love’ with this marriage penalty either.)

Is the NOV still 'unwritten'? We can help you with that.

Are the butterflies in your stomach not caused by love, but by nerves because you have received a letter from the tax office? Are you still unsure how serious you really are about Switzerland? Or do you not want to be tempted into paying more tax than necessary? We would be happy to advise you on your subsequent ordinary assessment. Because we know whether you should be sweet-talking Switzerland or giving it the cold shoulder. Just make an appointment for a  free first consultation.

And just like that... NOV becomes the greatest proof of love for Switzerland.