This Switzerland capital gains tax calculator estimates the tax due when you sell an asset at a profit. Switzerland splits gains into two very different worlds: movable property (shares, funds, crypto held privately) where private gains are usually tax-free, and real estate where the cantonal Grundstückgewinnsteuer applies.
How it works
For movable assets, a private investor’s gain is normally exempt, so the calculator reports zero tax — unless you are a professional securities dealer, in which case the gain becomes taxable income at your marginal rate.
For real property, the gain is sale price minus your cost base (purchase price plus acquisition costs and value-adding improvements). A progressive cantonal rate is applied, then adjusted for how long you held the property:
Holding < 1 year surcharge (speculation), e.g. +40%
Holding 1–5 years little or no relief
Holding 5+ years discount that grows each year
Holding 20+ years maximum discount (rate floor)This tool uses a representative Zurich-style progressive scale with a long-hold discount as an illustration. Exact rates and discounts differ in every canton.
Example
You sell a flat for CHF 900,000 that you bought for CHF 700,000, with CHF 30,000 of qualifying renovation costs. The taxable gain is 900,000 - 700,000 - 30,000 = 170,000. After a 15-year holding discount the effective cantonal rate drops sharply, so the tax is far lower than on a quick flip of the same gain.
Notes
This is an illustration, not canton-specific advice. Each of the 26 cantons sets its own Grundstückgewinnsteuer scale, holding-period discounts and speculation surcharges, and the federal level does not tax these gains. Confirm the exact figures with the relevant cantonal tax office or a Swiss tax adviser before relying on them.