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comparing tax in switzerland with united states

SwitzerlandUnited StatesDifference in United States
Gross Income 33,698.97 CHF / 30,000.00 GBP 37,699.47 USD / 30,000.00 GBP - 0.00 GBP
Tax Due 6,639.98 CHF / 5,911.14 GBP 7,352.85 USD / 5,851.16 GBP - 59.98 GBP
Net Income 27,058.99 CHF / 24,088.86 GBP 30,346.62 USD / 24,148.84 GBP + 59.98 GBP
Overall Tax Rate 19.7 % 19.5 % - 0.20 %.

Figures based upon 1 CHF = 0.89023492 GBP.

Figures based upon 1 USD = 0.79576716 GBP.

In Switzerland, an income of 33,698.97 CHF / 30,000.00 GBP is more than the lowest average advertised salary of 33,400.00 CHF / 29,733.85 GBP and less than the country's average income of 96,000.00 CHF / 85,462.55 GBP.

In United States, an income of 37,699.47 USD / 30,000.00 GBP is more than the lowest average advertised salary of 24,694.00 USD / 19,650.67 GBP and less than the country's average income of 60,000.00 USD / 47,746.03 GBP.

Here are how much some common purchases cost in Switzerland vs United States:

SwitzerlandUnited StatesDifference in United States
Water Bottle (1.5L) 1.23 CHF / 1.09 GBP 1.75 USD / 1.39 GBP + 0.30 GBP
Milk Bottle (1L) 1.59 CHF / 1.42 GBP 0.82 USD / 0.65 GBP - 0.77 GBP
Pint of Beer 7.00 CHF / 6.23 GBP 4.00 USD / 3.18 GBP - 3.05 GBP
Bread (500g) 2.63 CHF / 2.34 GBP 2.58 USD / 2.05 GBP - 0.29 GBP
Chicken Breasts (1kg) 25.22 CHF / 22.45 GBP 8.48 USD / 6.75 GBP - 15.70 GBP
Petrol UK Gallon 7.36 CHF / 6.55 GBP 3.27 USD / 2.60 GBP - 3.95 GBP
Volkswagen Golf or Equivalent 24,000.00 CHF / 21,365.64 GBP 21,845.00 USD / 17,383.53 GBP - 3,982.11 GBP
Broadband Internet Monthly 59.83 CHF / 53.26 GBP 62.44 USD / 49.69 GBP - 3.57 GBP
Rent One Bedroom Apt. In City (Monthly) 1,398.76 CHF / 1,245.22 GBP 1,261.46 USD / 1,003.83 GBP - 241.40 GBP
Purchase One Bedroom Apt. In City 386,872.15 CHF / 344,407.10 GBP 89,561.15 USD / 71,269.82 GBP - 273,137.28 GBP

Part of Europe, Switzerland covers an area of 39,524 square kilometers.

Switzerland has a Gross Domestic Product (PPP) of 494.30 ($ Billion) from a population of 8,454,083.

Three types of taxes are levied - Federal, Cantonal and Municipal with a progressive tax system aside from a few cantons.

Tax bands are as follow:

Below 18300 CHF - 0%

Between 18300 CHF and 32800 CHF - 0.77%.

Between 32800 CHF and 42900 CHF - 0.88%.

Between 42900 CHF and 57200 CHF - 2.64%.

Between 57200 CHF and 75200 CHF - 2.97%.

Between 75200 CHF and 81000 CHF - 5.94%.

Between 81000 CHF and 107400 CHF - 6.6%.

Between 107400 CHF and 139600 CHF - 8.8%.

Between 139600 CHF and 182600 CHF - 11%.

Between 182600 CHF and 783200 CHF - 13.2%.

Above 783200 CHF - 11.5%.

Here we use Zurich at Canton and Municipal level for comparative purposes (City of Zurich with a 1.19% municipal tax factor).

Below 6900 CHF - 0%

Between 6900 CHF and 11800 CHF - 2.38%.

Between 11800 CHF and 16600 CHF - 3.57%.

Between 16600 CHF and 24500 CHF - 4.76%.

Between 24500 CHF and 34100 CHF - 5.95%.

Between 34100 CHF and 45100 CHF - 7.14%.

Between 45100 CHF and 58000 CHF - 8.33%.

Between 58000 CHF and 75400 CHF - 9.52%.

Between 75400 CHF and 109000 CHF - 10.71%.

Between 109000 CHF and 142200 CHF - 11.9%.

Between 142200 CHF and 194900 CHF - 13.09%.

Between 194900 CHF and 263300 CHF - 14.28%.

Above 263300 CHF - 15.47%.

Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHV), Disability Insurance (IV), and Income Compensation (EO): 5.3% of gross salary

Unemployment Insurance (ALV): 1.1% of gross salary up to CHF 148,200

Occupational Pension (BVG): Rates vary based on age and salary, typically around 3.5-9% of salary. Here we'll use 6.25%.

Social security contributions are deductible from gross income for tax purposes.

Mandatory health insurance deduction of 1,700 CHF applied and added as a Social contribution in lieu of health contribution.

Commuting costs and work meal costs are deductible. We will use a flat amount of 2,000 CHF.

Source: https://www.estv.admin.ch/estv/en/home.html.

Source: XE.com (Currency Conversion).

Source: SalaryExplorer.com (Averages from average salaries in major job categories).

Source: Numbeo.com (Cost of living).

Part of North America, United States covers an area of 9,144,930 square kilometers.

United States has a Gross Domestic Product (PPP) of 18,561.93 ($ Billion) from a population of 326,474,013.

The United States has both Federal and State taxes. For comparative purposes we will use New York state here.

A progressive tax system spread over 7 bands ranging from 10% to 37%.

2024 Federal Tax bands are as follow:

Below 11600 USD - 10%

Between 11600 USD and 47150 USD - 12%.

Between 47150 USD and 100525 USD - 22%.

Between 100525 USD and 191950 USD - 24%.

Between 191950 USD and 243725 USD - 32%.

Between 243725 USD and 609350 USD - 35%.

Above 609350 USD - 37%.

The standard single person's deduction is 14,600 USD and the personal exemption is now 0 USD (2024). The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced personal exemptions to zero for tax years 2018 through 2025.

The PEP provision (personal exemption phaseout) tapers the personal exemption when income is over 261,500 USD. 2% reduction for every 2,500 USD over the limit.

FICA Taxes: Social security tax is 6.2% on up to 168,600 USD of gross income (2024).

Medicare hospital insurance tax is 1.45% of all gross income - increased to 2.35% on income over 200,000 USD (single person).

The average 401(k) contribution (workplace pension) rate is typically around 7% of an employee's salary. It is deducted from salary before calculating taxes (federal, state and city).

New York state taxes are spread across 10 bands ranging from 4% to 10.9%

Below 8950 USD - 4%

Between 8950 USD and 13900 USD - 4.5%.

Between 13900 USD and 21400 USD - 5.25%.

Between 21400 USD and 80650 USD - 5.9%.

Between 80650 USD and 215400 USD - 6.09%.

Between 215400 USD and 1077550 USD - 6.41%.

Between 1077550 USD and 5000000 USD - 6.85%.

Between 5000000 USD and 25000000 USD - 9.65%.

Between 25000000 USD and 50000000 USD - 10.3%.

Above 50000000 USD - 10.9%.

New York state tax has a standard deduction of 8,000 USD for a single filer.

Residents of New York City also pay city income tax, which range from 3.078% to 3.876%.

Below 12000 USD - 3.078%

Between 12000 USD and 25000 USD - 3.762%.

Between 25000 USD and 50000 USD - 3.819%.

Above 50000 USD - 3.876%.

Source: https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/tax-code-regulations-and-official-guidance.

Source: XE.com (Currency Conversion).

Source: SalaryExplorer.com (Averages from average salaries in major job categories).

Source: Numbeo.com (Cost of living).

Help

This calculator allows you to calculate income taxes and social contributions equivalent for Switzerland and United States and allow comparison between both. You can choose the preferred currency for the input amounts and displayed calculation. For example: If you choose GBP as your preferred currency, then the income entered will be converted to Switzerland's and United States's native currencies for the calculation so that correct income equivalent is used. The results will then be shown in the native currencies and GBP.

How we compare world taxes

We have trawled through the quagmire of tax legislation for 16 of the World's major economies and created a comparable position as close to the UK's PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system for employed people.

We look at each country's taxation for employed people, as well as things like medical care which are part of social contributions for some countries or require mandatory purchase of health insurance.

Combining this information lets us calculate taxes for each of the 16 countries and then do not only a taxation comparison but also a comparison of buying power based upon commonly purchased items.

It is quick and easy to use and you can get a detailed result at the click/tap of a button!

Compare tax using these examples:

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