What new cross-border commuters should bear in mind
(Place of residence: Austria / Place of work: Switzerland / Liechtenstein)

The employment contract is signed!
What do new cross-border commuters have to bear in mind?

Employer

The new employer is always responsible for registering with the foreign authorities or funds. As a rule, the new employer also takes care of applying for the cross-border commuter permit.

Further information on this topic
–> Cross-border commuter permit for Switzerland

Employees

Notification to the responsible tax office:

Every new cross-border commuter must register immediately with the tax office at their place of residence. To do this, you must either complete the cross-border commuter questionnaire and send it to the tax office together with your employment contract and a copy of your ID, or you can use the online service of the Austrian tax office. Via FinanzOnline you can easily fill in the cross-border commuter form online, save it temporarily and submit it. You can find the form under “Further services” and “Further applications”.

Based on your information, the tax office will calculate your expected tax and send you the cross-border commuter registration card. In Austria, you will then pay your tax in advance on a quarterly basis (February 15, May 15, August 16 and November 15).

Martin Häusler (Managing Director of B-Quadrat): “We have put together an all-round carefree package for cross-border commuters and are therefore naturally also happy to help with registration with the tax office.”

Health insurance:

New cross-border commuters have the option of being exempted from compulsory health insurance in Switzerland, Liechtenstein or Austria and taking out private insurance instead. We will be happy to help you choose the right insurance and the right tariff. Benefit from our know-how. We have been advising cross-border commuters since 2003, free of charge and without obligation.

Further information on this topic
–> Cross-border commuters & health insurance
–> General information on health insurance for cross-border commuters
–> Request a non-binding quote

Professional cross-border commuter advice incl. net salary calculation

> Free and non-binding advice since 2003
> Net wage calculation & practical tax tips
> Best and cheapest health insurance for cross-border commuters
> Help with choosing the right bank account
> Help with registering with the tax office and much more

Tax consultant:

For new cross-border commuters, it may make sense to talk to a tax advisor, as from now on you will have to make quarterly tax prepayments in Austria. Ask the tax office or a tax advisor to work out approximately how much you will have to pay so that you can put the money aside. However, if you only need a rough calculation to get you started, you can also do this with one of our experts. However, a tax advisor also makes sense due to the increasingly complex and mandatory income tax equalization. There are also special deductions for commuters, such as the commuter allowance and the commuter euro. Private health insurance can also be declared when equalizing income tax. If you do not know a tax consultant, please ask us. We will be happy to recommend a competent contact person.

Further information on this topic
–> Preparation for the tax consultant
–> Net wage calculation for cross-border commuters
–> Cross-border commuters & tax (general tax information)

TIP: Company vehicle

The issue of company vehicles is currently a very sensitive one. A new regulation has been in place since 2014. In any case, it is important that the car is listed on your payslip and that this is also reported to the tax office. The use of company cars is now only permitted for employees; managing directors no longer fall under this rule. Furthermore, this must also be clearly stated in the employment contract. The employment contract, as well as the employer’s certificate that the car may be used for company trips, must be carried in the car. Otherwise the vehicle may even be confiscated and customs clearance may be required. The border officials pay particular attention to Austrians with Swiss or Liechtenstein license plates.

Further information on this topic
–> Cross-border commuters & company cars

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