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The cost of inheritance
Inheritances and gifts are subject to taxes in some cantons depending on the relationship to the heir or beneficiary. It is good to know that there are often allowances, which are tax-exempt.
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Cost of the notary public
If you instruct a notary public to draw up your will, the fees will often be based on the value of your estate. In the canton of Zurich, the fees range between 0.5% (draft will) and 1% (public testamentary disposition and contract of inheritance) of the net asset. That means that you are likely to be charged between 250 francs and 500 francs for assets amounting to 50,000 francs (as revised in May 2005).
Inheritance and gift tax
Tax is payable on inheritances and gifts in some cantons, although not everywhere. The good news is that heirs are exempt from tax up to a certain inheritance/gift threshold depending on their kin relationship to the testator or donor. These amounts vary from one canton to the next.
If you leave assets, which exceed the tax-exempt allowances, it may make sense to divide the inheritance. Or, while you are alive, you bestow one or more gifts that lie within the tax-exempt allowances. This means that the beneficiaries may be able to profit from your assets without having to pay tax (depending on the cantonal regulations).
Further Information
Swiss Association of Notaries Public
Useful information on the will
Inheritance and gift taxes in the cantons
Leaflet on how to write a testament
If you instruct a notary public to draw up your will, the fees will often be based on the value of your estate. In the canton of Zurich, the fees range between 0.5% (draft will) and 1% (public testamentary disposition and contract of inheritance) of the net asset. That means that you are likely to be charged between 250 francs and 500 francs for assets amounting to 50,000 francs (as revised in May 2005).
Inheritance and gift tax
Tax is payable on inheritances and gifts in some cantons, although not everywhere. The good news is that heirs are exempt from tax up to a certain inheritance/gift threshold depending on their kin relationship to the testator or donor. These amounts vary from one canton to the next.
If you leave assets, which exceed the tax-exempt allowances, it may make sense to divide the inheritance. Or, while you are alive, you bestow one or more gifts that lie within the tax-exempt allowances. This means that the beneficiaries may be able to profit from your assets without having to pay tax (depending on the cantonal regulations).
Further Information
Swiss Association of Notaries Public
Useful information on the will
Inheritance and gift taxes in the cantons
Leaflet on how to write a testament
