Filing your tax return costs time and nerves. The St. Gallen tax office checks closely, but leaves interesting room for optimisation with correct declaration in the 2025 tax period. That makes it all the more important to know your legal options — and to use the cantonal maximums in full. Our approach to your financial planning is simple: you pay only what you actually owe.
We have analysed the five most effective deductions and show you how to use them well.
Prefer to keep your head clear? Before you work through the forms yourself, take a look at our dedicated landing page for the St. Gallen tax return. There you will find everything about our smooth, fully digital process.
1. Insurance & Health Insurance Premiums
Your private premiums for health, accident, life, or annuity insurance — and savings interest — are deductible up to a fixed maximum in Canton St. Gallen. Heads-up: received premium reductions must be deducted from the total.
Maximum deduction (married):
- CHF 6,800 for cantonal and communal tax.
- CHF 3,700 for direct federal tax.
Maximum deduction (other taxpayers):
- CHF 3,400 for cantonal and communal tax.
- CHF 1,800 for direct federal tax.
The FIN tip: If you have not contributed to a pension fund (2nd pillar) or Pillar 3a, this deduction increases at cantonal level by CHF 1,100 (married) or CHF 500 (single). Do not forget the additional deduction of up to CHF 1,100 (canton) or CHF 700 (federal) per child.
More info: Comprehensive guide to Swiss insurance deductions
2. Job-Related Education and Training Costs
The tax authorities reward investment in your education. You can deduct self-paid costs for job-related training and continuing education (provided you do not yet hold a Secondary II qualification).
Maximum deduction:
- CHF 13,000 for cantonal and communal tax as well as direct federal tax.
The FIN tip: A St. Gallen specialty: if you are employed, the canton grants you a lump-sum deduction of CHF 400 without proof for smaller expenses. As soon as your costs are higher, you must back them up with invoices. If you needed a laptop specifically for the course and can also use it privately, the tax office accepts at most 50 % of the purchase cost.
More info: How to deduct education costs — a practical guide
3. Pillar 3a (Restricted Private Pension)
The classic of tax optimisation. Contributions to approved Pillar 3a solutions reduce your taxable income directly.
- Maximum deduction (with pension fund): CHF 7,258.
- Maximum deduction (without pension fund): 20 % of net earned income, up to CHF 36,288.
The FIN tip: Spread your 3a balance across up to three accounts. That lets you withdraw the funds in stages later and break the tax progression on payout. Always factor in future pension fund withdrawals when you plan, to avoid unpleasant tax effects in retirement.
More info: Pillar 3a maximum amounts and investment strategies
4. Pension Fund Buy-In (2nd Pillar)
Voluntary buy-ins into your pension fund are fully deductible and reduce your taxable income in the year of payment.
Maximum deduction: limited by your individual coverage gap (see your current pension certificate).
The FIN tip: Mind the statutory three-year lock-up period. If you make a capital withdrawal from your pension fund within three years of a buy-in (e.g. for home ownership), the tax office reverses the deduction. So do not buy in if you plan a withdrawal in the near term.
More info: Pension fund buy-ins: building wealth and saving tax in one move
5. Third-Party Childcare Costs
If your children (under 14) are looked after externally, you can deduct those costs — provided they are directly connected to your work, education, or incapacity to work.
Maximum deduction (per child):
- CHF 26,700 for cantonal and communal tax.
- CHF 25,800 for direct federal tax.
The FIN tip: Meal costs do not count as childcare costs. If the day-care or child-minder invoice does not show meal costs separately, the St. Gallen tax office cuts your deduction by a flat CHF 8 per day.
More info: Childcare and taxes in Switzerland
Canton comparison
Where does St. Gallen stand in the Swiss comparison?
At a glance: maximum cantonal deductions side by side.
Insurance premiums (married, cantonal)
Education & training costs (cantonal)
SG your canton: Plus CHF 400 lump-sum deduction without receipts.
Third-party childcare per child (cantonal)
SG your canton: Highest cantonal deduction in Switzerland. Minus CHF 8/day if meals not shown separately.
Your Path to a Smooth Tax Return
Filing on your own takes time and carries the risk of errors. If you want clarity and peace of mind, we handle it for you. Our expert team analyses your situation and delivers your tax return ready to file.
Profit from our modern approach: no paperwork, clear communication, transparent flat rates. Go directly to the FIN landing page for the St. Gallen tax return .
Sources and Further Information
The tax guidance is based on the official 2025 Canton St. Gallen tax return guide (PDF) . Further cantonal forms and guides are available from the Cantonal Tax Office of St. Gallen .