Switzerland's Fiscal Year: January 1 – December 31

Simple & Aligned with Calendar Year

Switzerland uses the term "fiscal year" (Rechnungsjahr / exercice comptable / esercizio finanziario)—not "financial year." It runs:

Applicability

• Federal, cantonal, communal governments
• Most corporations (Swiss Code of Obligations Art. 958d)
• Tax assessments (federal direct tax, cantonal/communal taxes)
• Financial reporting (Swiss GAAP FER, IFRS, Swiss GAAP RPC)

Exceptions

• Companies may choose a different fiscal year (Art. 958d CO) if disclosed in statutes/articles—common for subsidiaries aligning with foreign parents
• Some non-profits/foundations use different years
• VAT periods are quarterly (Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, Jul–Sep, Oct–Dec)

Key Dates

Practical Note

For US/UK entities used to April/March or October/September fiscal years: Swiss calendar-year alignment simplifies consolidation for calendar-year parents but requires adjustment for non-calendar parents.