Posts Tagged ‘tax’

May 18th, 2012

To renounce or not to renounce?

This week I was surprised to learn that, to the delight or chagrin of many, Michele Bachmann, a conservative United States Representative from the state of Minnesota, former Republican presidential candidate and Tea Party darling, became a naturalized Swiss citizen.

Apparently she was eligible to become a Swiss citizen, because her husband, the son of Swiss immigrants to the United States, was already the proud owner of a red passport. Bachmann’s dual citizenship status was, however, short-lived.

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February 3rd, 2012

Financial Lepers

It’s just as hard-earned and honest as any other franc, but to an increasing number of Swiss banks and financial institutions, if it’s in the hands of an American, they are politely saying, ‘no, thank you.’

(Keystone/Martin Ruetschi)

US citizens, living in Switzerland, are finding everyday banking and investing more and more difficult in their adopted country. (more…)

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April 11th, 2008

Climbing the north face of the Eiger

After 11 years of living in Switzerland I’ve finally scaled the Eigernordwand. Or its metaphorical equivalent. I’ve just completed my tax forms for the first time. All by myself.

You may not be impressed, but it isn’t easy. As we all know, filing a tax return is a uniquely awful combination of unproductive, obligatory, boring, and complicated. And that’s in English. When you have to stumble through the arcane vocabulary in a foreign language it’s virtually impossible.

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