Guides
Office work, explained clearly
What goes on an invoice? When do you become liable for VAT (MWST)? What do you deduct from salaries? Here you'll find the answers for sole proprietorships (Einzelfirma) and small businesses in Switzerland - with examples of how to handle it all in Easly.
Starting out
- Starting outInsurance for SMEs and the self-employedUVG, BVG, daily sickness allowance, family allowances, liability, property, cyber and legal cover: what's mandatory, what it costs, what to check.15 min read
- Starting outStarting a sole proprietorship: step by stepAHV registration, commercial register from CHF 100'000, business name, VAT, insurance and bookkeeping: starting your sole proprietorship in Switzerland.11 min read
- Starting outSelf-employed on the side: what you need to knowSelf-employed alongside your job: the CHF 2'500 AHV exemption limit, taxes, VAT, your employer and duty of loyalty, accident insurance, pillar 3a.8 min read
- Starting outHow to calculate your hourly rate when self-employedHow much should you charge per hour? Target income, billable hours, AHV, retirement provision and costs - with a worked example for the self-employed.7 min read
- Starting outSole proprietorship or GmbH? The comparisonLiability, setup costs, taxes, AHV and bookkeeping: sole proprietorship vs. GmbH compared - with a decision guide for the self-employed and small SMEs.9 min read
- Starting outCalculating AHV contributions for the self-employed in 2026AHV/IV/EO for the self-employed in 2026: 10%, sliding scale from CHF 10'100, CHF 530 minimum, provisional contributions, default interest, examples.7 min read
- Starting outRetirement provision for the self-employed: AHV, BVG, 3aPensions for the self-employed: avoid AHV gaps, voluntary pension fund, large pillar 3a up to CHF 36'288 (2026), catch-up, risk cover, vested benefits.7 min read
Billing
- BillingCreating a QR-bill: what you need to knowPayment part layout, IBAN or QR-IBAN, reference types and structured addresses: how to create correct QR-bills as a sole proprietor.7 min read
- BillingFrom quote to paid invoiceQuote, mandatory invoice details, payment terms, dunning notices and default interest: how sole proprietors and small SMEs in Switzerland get paid.7 min read
- BillingSubscription invoices: maintenance, licenses, hostingRecurring invoices for maintenance, licenses or hosting: term, notice, price changes, VAT and reminders - and how to automate them.7 min read
- BillingSending invoices by email: how it worksPDF invoices by email: legally valid, VAT-compliant and reliably delivered. Sender, templates, proof and data protection for sole proprietorships and SMEs.6 min read
- BillingCash flow under control: open items at a glanceKeep track of open invoices, set short payment terms, ask for down payments on large jobs and plan cash flow simply - for sole proprietorships and SMEs.7 min read
- BillingDebt enforcement and collection: when a customer still won't payRequest for debt enforcement, payment order, objection, dismissal, costs, limitation and collection agencies: how to collect unpaid invoices.20 min read
- BillingPost bank statements automatically: camt.053, camt.054 and QR paymentscamt.053, camt.054 and the QR reference explained simply: how to match payments to your invoices - with a monthly routine and common pitfalls.14 min read
Receipts and taxes
- Receipts and taxesReceipts and VAT made easyKeeping and digitizing receipts, VAT liability from CHF 100'000, effective method or net tax rate: an overview for sole proprietors and SMEs.7 min read
- Receipts and taxesYear-end closing: what your accountant needsIncome statement, open invoices, fixed assets, salary certificates, VAT, private use: the documents your accountant needs for your year-end closing.8 min read
- Receipts and taxesReading receipts with AI: getting it rightHow AI reads the supplier, date, amount and VAT from receipts, where it makes mistakes, what you need to check and what data protection requires.7 min read
- Receipts and taxesTax return for the self-employed: a guideSupplementary form, income statement, deductions, private shares, pillar 3a and deadlines: tax returns for sole proprietors - and the AHV settlement.7 min read
- Receipts and taxesVAT return step by stepFiling VAT online in the FTA portal: AGOV login, the key boxes, effective method and net tax rate, deadlines, payment and corrections.7 min read
- Receipts and taxesBookkeeping for sole proprietorships: what's required?Simple or double-entry bookkeeping? What sole proprietorships must keep under Art. 957 CO, receipts, retention, separating private and business.6 min read
- Receipts and taxesChart of accounts and double-entry bookkeeping explainedDebits and credits, balance sheet and income statement, the Swiss SME chart of accounts and sample entries: double-entry bookkeeping made simple.20 min read
Team and payroll
- Team and payrollPayroll in a small business: 2026 deductionsYour first employee: registrations, 2026 deductions for AHV/IV/EO, ALV, NBU and BVG, a worked example and the salary certificate at year-end.6 min read
- Team and payrollYour first employee: contract, vacation, terminationEmployment contract, duty to inform, probation, notice periods, vacation, sick pay and personnel file: how to hire your first employee the right way.8 min read
- Team and payrollFilling in the salary certificate: figures, deadlines, mistakesHow to fill in the salary certificate (Lohnausweis, form 11): who gets one, the key figures, expenses, boxes F and G and common mistakes in small firms.7 min read
- Team and payrollExpenses and expense regulations in a small businessReimbursing expenses correctly: CO rules, actual or flat-rate expenses, 2026 rates, expense regulations, salary certificate figure 13 and AHV.8 min read
- Team and payrollContinued pay, vacation and working hoursIllness, accident, maternity, military service, vacation, public holidays, overtime and time recording: what you must pay and observe as an employer.23 min read
Travel and office
- Travel and officeMileage claims: billing business trips correctlyPrivate or company car, CHF 0.75 per km since 2026, logbook, private share and re-billing: how to claim business trips correctly.7 min read
- Travel and officeHome office: what self-employed people can deductAn office in your own home: when the deduction is allowed, how to calculate your share of rent and utilities, and what records you need.6 min read
Inventory and shipping
- Inventory and shippingInventory and fixed assets in a small businessStock or fixed assets, serial numbers, FTA depreciation rates, warranties and statutory warranty: how to keep track of your equipment.6 min read
- Inventory and shippingShipping parcels as a sole proprietorship or SMEPostPac Economy or Priority, printing your own labels, Signature and Assurance, Swiss Post liability and tracking: an overview for small businesses.5 min read
Online presence
Security and data
- Security and dataData protection for small firms: what the FADP requiresPrivacy notice, records of processing, processors, data security and breach notification: what the Swiss FADP requires of sole proprietors and SMEs.8 min read
- Security and dataSecure login: passkeys and two-factor in a small businessWhy passwords alone aren't enough, authenticator app or SMS, passkeys with Windows Hello or Face ID - and what helps if you lose your phone.7 min read
- Security and dataData backup for small businesses: doing it rightThe 3-2-1 rule, ransomware protection, why OneDrive isn't a backup and who backs up what in the cloud: data backup for sole proprietors and SMEs.6 min read
- Security and dataRecord retention: archiving receipts correctly10 years from the end of the financial year, digital under GeBüV, scanning receipts, VAT and liquidation: how to archive receipts and records properly.18 min read
The articles give a clear overview of the rules in Switzerland as of the date stated. They are no substitute for advice from your accountant (Treuhänder) or the competent authority.
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