Tax and the City

11 - Financial Planning That Actually Makes Sense with Nadine Hunkeler

THE ONE WHERE FINANCIAL PLANNING STOPS BEING ABOUT PRODUCTS Most people think financial planning starts with investing. An ETF. A pension buy-in. A Pillar 3a account. Maybe even a conversation about retirement. But what if that's actually the roof of the house? In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Nadine Hunkeler, founder and CEO of Finance Phoenix, certified financial planner, educator, and passionate advocate for financial literacy in Switzerland. Together, they explore why financial planning is often misunderstood, why so many people postpone it, and why true financial security starts long before investment decisions enter the picture. Nadine shares her own journey of learning financial planning the hard way, despite growing up in a family deeply rooted in banking and finance. Through personal experience, professional expertise, and years of advising clients, she developed a holistic approach that combines education, risk management, financial planning, and practical implementation. The conversation moves far beyond investments and tax deductions. It explores the foundations that protect people when life doesn't go according to plan. IN THIS EPISODE * Why financial planning is about personal risk management, not just investments * The biggest mistake people make: delaying financial planning altogether * Why even financially successful professionals often don't understand their own financial situation * The three major financial risks everyone should consider: disability, death, and retirement * Why disability is often the most overlooked financial risk in Switzerland * How pension funds, insurance, taxes, and investments interact as one system * The importance of emergency funds, legal documents, and financial awareness * Common misconceptions about Pillar 3a accounts and pension planning * Why financial decisions should always be tailored to individual circumstances * The difference between working for money and letting money work for you * Why international professionals often face unique financial planning challenges in Switzerland * How financial planning creates confidence, clarity, and long-term peace of mind THE BOTTOM LINE If you're waiting until retirement to think about financial planning: You're starting far too late. Good financial planning begins with protecting yourself today. If you think investing is the first step: It isn't. Foundations come first: liquidity, protection, pension planning, legal safeguards, and awareness. If you're relying on someone else to handle your finances: Understanding your own situation remains your responsibility. If you keep postponing financial decisions: Time is often the most valuable asset in financial planning. Delays can become expensive. For everyone: Financial planning isn't about predicting the future. It's about building enough clarity and protection to navigate whatever the future brings. HOST AND GUEST Julia Tatje – Swiss tax specialist for internationals and founder of taxum AG. Nadine Hunkeler – Founder and CEO of Finance Phoenix, Certified Financial Planner, financial educator and consultant specialising in financial planning and personal risk management in Switzerland. Through a combination of education, expert advice, and personalised financial planning, Nadine helps individuals, couples and families build long-term financial security and make confident financial decisions. Finance Phoenix focuses particularly on helping people understand the interaction between financial risks, pension planning, taxes, liquidity, and investments so they can create a sustainable financial strategy aligned with their life goals. Website: https://www.financephoenix.ch/ [https://www.financephoenix.ch/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-hunkeler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-hunkeler/] LISTEN AND CONNECT → Website: https://www.taxum.ch/ [https://www.taxum.ch/] → LinkedIn: Julia Tatje – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/] → Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog [https://www.taxum.ch/blog] → Podcast "Tax and the City": https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city [https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city] → Contact Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt [https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt] → Finance Phoenix: https://www.financephoenix.ch/ [https://www.financephoenix.ch/] → Finance Phoenix: https://www.financephoenix.ch/workshop [https://www.financephoenix.ch/workshop] → LinkedIn: Nadine Hunkeler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-hunkeler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadine-hunkeler/] Song: InRp – Golden Hour Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es7EVrnbiBU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es7EVrnbiBU] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your individual circumstances.

10 - Pressure, Paperwork & Peace of Mind - Why Taxes Feel Heavier Than They Are with Catherine Peloquin

THE ONE WHERE THE TAX RETURN BECOMES A STRESS RESPONSE It starts innocently enough. A form. A deadline. A reminder email sitting unopened in your inbox. And somehow, something administrative begins to feel deeply personal. In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Catherine Peloquin, executive coach supporting leaders who communicate and perform under pressure, to explore why taxes trigger such intense stress responses, especially for highly capable, internationally mobile professionals who otherwise seem to handle everything. Catherine has spent years working with executives navigating leadership pressure, burnout risk, communication challenges, and nervous system regulation. And somewhere between discussing leadership, performance, and human behaviour, Julia and Catherine realised something surprising: taxes often trigger the exact same pressure patterns people experience in high-stakes professional situations. Because the issue is rarely just the paperwork. It is the pressure, avoidance, uncertainty, and mental load we quietly carry around it. IN THIS EPISODE * Why highly successful people often freeze when it comes to taxes and administration * The connection between stress, nervous system regulation, and avoidance * Why people mistake stress for weakness instead of recognising it as overload * How internationally mobile professionals experience additional pressure around foreign systems and compliance * Why postponing stressful tasks increases pressure exponentially * The hidden mental load behind tax deadlines and unfinished admin * The importance of trust, human connection, and feeling supported when dealing with finances * Why doing everything alone often becomes part of the problem * Burnout prevention, boundaries, and how leaders build resilience under pressure * Small practical ways to reduce stress before your body forces you to slow down THE BOTTOM LINE If you feel irrationally stressed about taxes: You are probably not stressed about the numbers themselves. You are reacting to uncertainty, pressure, and fear of getting something wrong. If you keep postponing administrative tasks: The task rarely gets heavier. The mental load does. If you think stress is weakness: High-functioning people often carry enormous pressure silently — until the body eventually intervenes. If you are living internationally: Foreign systems, language barriers, and complex compliance create additional layers of cognitive and emotional stress. For everyone: Asking for support earlier is often the most responsible thing you can do — not the weakest. HOST AND GUEST Julia Tatje - Swiss tax specialist for internationals. Founder, taxum AG. Catherine Peloquin - Executive coach supporting leaders who communicate and perform under pressure. Catherine works with executives and professionals navigating stress, leadership pressure, communication challenges, and nervous system regulation in high-performance environments. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinepeloquin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinepeloquin/] Website: https://catherinepeloquin.com/ [https://catherinepeloquin.com/] LISTEN AND CONNECT → Website: https://www.taxum.ch/ [https://www.taxum.ch/] → LinkedIn: Julia Tatje - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/] → Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog [https://www.taxum.ch/blog] → Podcast "Tax and the City": https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city?si=YE6SgrVTCu4pBUsc [https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city?si=YE6SgrVTCu4pBUsc] → Contact Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt [https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt] → Contact Catherine: 30 Minutes Initial Meeting (https://calendly.com/cat-quin-ch/30min?month=2026-05) [https://calendly.com/cat-quin-ch/30min?month=2026-05]) Song: InRp - Golden Hour Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Video Link: InRp - Golden Hour (Vlog No Copyright Music) [https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon_ringo2.png] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual situation.

9 - Hochzeit geplant – und der Rest? mit Seraina Herold

Die Folge, in der wir uns fragen: Warum reden wir über Hochzeiten – aber nicht darüber, was passiert, wenn das Leben anders läuft als geplant? Wir planen Hochzeiten, Immobilienkäufe und Karrieren bis ins Detail - aber bei Themen wie Ehevertrag, Testament oder Vorsorgeauftrag wird es plötzlich still. Warum eigentlich? In dieser Folge von Tax and the City spricht Julia Tatje mit der Zürcher Rechtsanwältin Seraina Herold über genau die Gespräche, die viele Menschen zu lange aufschieben - obwohl gerade sie später über Ruhe, Konflikte oder finanzielle Sicherheit entscheiden können. Die beiden sprechen über Eheverträge, gesetzliche Erbfolgen, internationale Familien, unverheiratete Paare und die oft unterschätzte Verbindung zwischen Recht, Steuern und persönlichen Beziehungen. Und darüber, warum „das Gesetz regelt das schon“ selten die Lösung ist, die man sich wirklich wünschen würde. Zwischen persönlichen Geschichten, echten Fällen aus der Praxis und überraschend ehrlichen Momenten wird schnell klar: Diese Themen haben nichts mit Pessimismus zu tun - sondern mit Verantwortung, Klarheit und Freiheit. IN DIESER FOLGE * Warum Eheverträge oft missverstanden werden - und für wen sie besonders wichtig sind * Gesetzliche Erbfolge: Was passiert, wenn kein Testament existiert * Warum unverheiratete Paare häufig ungenügend abgesichert sind * Internationale Familien und Vermögen: rechtliche und steuerliche Stolperfallen * Typische Fehler bei Nachlass- und Vorsorgeplanung * Reale Fälle aus der Praxis - anonymisiert, aber emotional sehr nah * Warum Vorsorgeaufträge oft vergessen gehen * Wie Klarheit innerhalb von Familien Konflikte verhindern kann * Warum Recht und Steuern immer zusammengedacht werden sollten DAS FAZIT Für verheiratete Paare: Der gesetzliche Güterstand passt nicht automatisch zur eigenen Lebensrealität. Wer Vermögen, Unternehmen oder internationale Bezüge hat, sollte frühzeitig regeln, was im Ernstfall gelten soll. Für Konkubinatspaare: Ohne klare Regelungen kann ein gemeinsames Leben rechtlich plötzlich sehr fragil werden. Besonders im Todesfall entstehen oft Situationen, mit denen niemand gerechnet hat. Für internationale Familien und High Earners: Unterschiedliche Erbrechte, Steuerfolgen und Vermögensstrukturen machen pauschale Lösungen praktisch unmöglich. Hier braucht es Planung statt Annahmen. Für alle: Eheverträge, Testamente und Vorsorgeaufträge sind keine romantischen Themen. Aber sie schaffen genau das, wonach sich die meisten Menschen eigentlich sehnen: Ruhe, Klarheit und Sicherheit. HOST UND GAST Julia Tatje -- Swiss tax specialist for foreign nationals in Switzerland. Founder, Taxum AG, Zürichs Personal Tax Boutique für internationale und unternehmerisch geprägte Klientel. Seraina Herold-- Rechtsanwältin in Zürich und Chur, Partnerin bei Baumgartner Mächler Rechtsanwälte AG Website: https://bmlaw.ch/mitarbeiter/seraina-herold-rechtsanwaeltin/ [https://bmlaw.ch/mitarbeiter/seraina-herold-rechtsanwaeltin/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seraina-herold-6683861b9 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/seraina-herold-6683861b9] Gemeinsam sprechen Julia und Seraina darüber, warum rechtliche Vorsorge nichts mit Misstrauen zu tun hat - sondern mit Verantwortung gegenüber sich selbst und den Menschen, die man liebt. HÖREN UND KONTAKT → Website: https://www.taxum.ch/ [https://www.taxum.ch/] → LinkedIn: Julia Tatje - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/] → Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog [https://www.taxum.ch/blog] → Podcast "Tax and the City": https://youtube.com/@taxandthe_city?si=YE6SgrVTCu4pBUsc [https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city?si=YE6SgrVTCu4pBUsc] → Kontaktiere Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt [https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt] → Kontaktiere Seraina at Baumgartner Mächler Rechtsanwälte AG: https://bmlaw.ch/mitarbeiter/seraina-herold-rechtsanwaeltin/ [https://bmlaw.ch/mitarbeiter/seraina-herold-rechtsanwaeltin/] Song: InRp - Golden Hour Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Video Link: InRp - Golden Hour (Vlog No Copyright Music) Dieser Podcast dient ausschliesslich der Information und stellt keine Rechts- oder Steuerberatung dar. Bitte konsultiere eine qualifizierte Fachperson für deine individuelle Situation.

8 - One Passport Isn’t Enough – Rethinking Mobility, Security, and Belonging with Liana Wäckerli

THE ONE WHERE PASSPORTS BECOME PART OF THE PLAN There was a time when a passport was simply background. You were born somewhere, and that was that. But somewhere between global uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, and a growing desire for optionality, something changed. Passports quietly became part of a life strategy. In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Liana Wäckerli from Henley and Partners Switzerland - a global firm with over 70 offices - to explore what residence and citizenship planning actually looks like in practice. Liana holds three citizenships herself, has lived in three countries, and has spent 12 years guiding high-net-worth families through some of the most personal and complex decisions of their lives. This is not about collecting passports. It is about what comes with them: peace of mind, freedom of movement, and the quiet confidence of knowing you have options. IN THIS EPISODE * Why passports are no longer just identity documents - they are part of a long-term strategy * Citizenship vs. residence: what people think they understand and often do not * How demand has shifted: from emerging market clients to Europeans who never thought they would need a Plan B * Why even strong passports are no longer enough on their own * The reality behind "buying a passport": timelines of seven months to three years, due diligence, and the misconceptions that trip people up * What COVID, geopolitical conflict, and recent global events changed about who asks these questions * Real situations: renewing a passport becoming impossible, losing a job and having to leave Switzerland, planning for children and future generations * Why timing, sequencing, and coordinating with tax and legal advisors matters more than people expect * The emotional layer that sits behind every strategic decision: security, family, and belonging THE BOTTOM LINE If you think this is only relevant for a few ultra-high-net-worth individuals: The conversation has shifted. Internationally mobile professionals, families living in Switzerland on permits, and people from outside Europe are all asking these questions now. If you assume one passport is enough: Recent years have shown that access, flexibility, and optionality cannot be taken for granted. Even people living in Switzerland with stable careers are exploring European options -- not because they plan to leave, but because they want to know they could. If you are living internationally or considering it: Residence, taxation, and legal status are deeply interconnected. A change in one area tends to quietly affect the others. If this feels like a future decision: It is not a fast process. Seven months at the very minimum, often up to three years for European citizenship. Planning early is what creates freedom later. HOST AND GUEST Julia Tatje - Swiss tax specialist for internationals. Founder, taxum AG. Liana Wäckerli - Advisor at Henley and Partners Switzerland. 12 years in investment migration, three citizenships, three countries lived in. She helps international families build mobility portfolios that hold up when life gets complicated. https://www.linkedin.com/in/liana-waeckerli [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liana-waeckerli] Henley and Partners: Residence and Citizenship by Investment | Henley & Partners [https://www.henleyglobal.com/] Listen and Connect → Website: https://www.taxum.ch/ [https://www.taxum.ch/] → LinkedIn: Julia Tatje - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/] → Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog [https://www.taxum.ch/blog] → Podcast "Tax and the City": https://youtube.com/@taxandthe_city?si=YE6SgrVTCu4pBUsc [https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city?si=YE6SgrVTCu4pBUsc] → Contact Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt [https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt] → Contact Liana at Henley and Partners: Contact Us Today | Henley & Partners [https://www.henleyglobal.com/contact] Song: InRp - Golden Hour Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Video Link: InRp - Golden Hour (Vlog No Copyright Music) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es7EVrnbiBU] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual situation.

7 - RSUs and Vesting - What No One Tells You About the Tax Impact

THE ONE WHERE THE SHARES VEST AND THE TAX BILL FOLLOWS It looks straightforward at first. A few lines in your contract. A promise of shares over time. A sign that you are doing well. And then one day, they vest. The value is real. The numbers look impressive. And shortly after, something else appears - the tax. RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) are one of the most misunderstood forms of compensation, especially when it comes to how and when they are taxed. In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Willem Roux, a pharmaceutical executive, and Bastian Thurneysen, partner at Burkhardt Lawyers, to unpack what actually happens when RSUs vest and why even experienced professionals are often caught off guard. Because the issue is not the shares themselves. It is the timing, the taxation, and the assumptions people make along the way. IN THIS EPISODE * What RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) actually are and how they differ from cash compensation * The vesting moment: when RSUs become taxable income * Why you can owe tax without receiving cash * The liquidity challenge: when the tax is due before you have sold shares * What happens when share prices move after vesting * Why RSU taxation often comes as a surprise, even at senior levels * The role of employers, and why they do not solve the full picture * Cross-border considerations: what happens if you move countries * How RSUs interact with your total income and tax rate * Why early planning changes outcomes significantly THE BOTTOM LINE If you receive RSUs as part of your compensation: They are taxed at vesting as income. Understanding that moment is critical. If you assume you can deal with it later: Later often means reacting to a tax bill instead of planning for it. If your shares fluctuate in value: You may be taxed on a value that no longer exists. That gap is where problems arise. If you work internationally or relocate: RSU taxation can span multiple jurisdictions. Timing and structure matter. For everyone: Equity compensation rewards performance, but without planning, it can create complexity. Clarity early on is what turns it into an advantage. HOST AND GUESTS Julia Tatje - Swiss tax specialist for internationals. Founder, taxum AG. Willem Roux - Pharmaceutical executive with over 20 years of experience. Sharing a firsthand perspective on RSUs, vesting, and unexpected tax exposure. Bastian Thurneysen - Partner at Burkhardt Lawyers. Tax expert specialising in employee participation plans and cross-border taxation. Website: Bastian Thurneysen • burckhardt AG [https://www.burckhardtlaw.com/team/bastian-thurneysen/] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bastian-thurneysen-70505ba5 [http://www.linkedin.com/in/bastian-thurneysen-70505ba5] E-Mail: thurneysen@burckhardtlaw.com [thurneysen@burckhardtlaw.com] LISTEN AND CONNECT → Website: https://www.taxum.ch/ [https://www.taxum.ch/] → LinkedIn: Julia Tatje - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/] → Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog [https://www.taxum.ch/blog] → Podcast "Tax and the City": https://youtube.com/@taxandthe_city [https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city] → Contact Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt [https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt] → Contact Bastian: thurneysen@burckhardtlaw.com [thurneysen@burckhardtlaw.com] Song: InRp - Golden Hour Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music. Video Link: InRp - Golden Hour (Vlog No Copyright Music) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es7EVrnbiBU] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual situation.