Donations are twice as rewarding — they support good causes and reduce your taxable income. In Switzerland, you can deduct donations to charitable organisations from your Swiss tax return, provided certain conditions are met.
What counts as a charitable donation?
A charitable donation (voluntary contribution) is any payment or transfer of assets made without receiving anything in return. This includes contributions to:
- Public institutions (federal government, cantons, municipalities)
- Non-profit or public organisations that are tax-exempt due to their charitable purpose
Claiming donations without receipts
In some cases, you can declare door-to-door or small "house donations" without formal receipts. However, there's no guarantee the tax office will accept them — and it may request proof at any time.
How much can you deduct?
Most Swiss cantons allow you to deduct up to 20% of your net income (individuals) or 20% of net profit (companies). Donations must typically total at least CHF 100 per year.
Which organisations qualify for tax deductions?
For a donation to be deductible, the recipient must be non-profit or public-serving and tax-exempt.
The Zewo seal of approval
The Zewo Foundation certifies trustworthy Swiss charities based on transparency and impact. Donations to Zewo-certified organisations are always tax-deductible.
Other ways to verify eligibility
Not all non-profits are listed with Zewo. You can confirm their tax-exempt status through cantonal tax administrations. Many cantons publish lists of recognised non-profit organisations. Even if an organisation isn't Zewo-certified, it can still be eligible — as long as it is tax-exempt and pursues charitable or public objectives.
Which donations are not tax-deductible?
Donations to purely religious organisations are generally not deductible, unless the organisation also pursues a charitable or public purpose and your donation is used specifically for that purpose.
How to ensure your donations are tax-deductible
- Verify that the organisation is tax-exempt
- Look for the Zewo seal or your canton's official list
- Keep all donation receipts
- Confirm the donation serves a public or charitable purpose
Giving that counts
Donating is one of the most rewarding ways to make a difference — and with the right documentation, it can also bring tangible tax benefits. Request a personalised assessment or get an instant tax return quote below.