Minister rejects criticism of French tax deal

Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf has defended a controversial inheritance tax accord with France while the Swiss expatriate community has expressed concerns that the deal could set a precedent for other countries Addressing the Congress of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) in the mountain resort of Davos on Saturday, Widmer-Schlumpf admitted that the deal signed last month is not ideal. But she rejected allegations that Switzerland had failed to achieve a better result in negotiations. “It is better to have an accord on inheritance tax, than to have no deal at all,” she told several hundred delegates to the meeting. She added Switzerland was able to gain a number of assurances from France, which is home to about 180,000 Swiss citizens – its largest expat community. Widmer-Schlumpf mentioned separate concessions for corporate taxes and Swiss citizens who are taxed only eight years after they settle in France. Switzerland vs globalisation The ...