Tax and the City

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.

6 - You Can Afford It. That Doesn’t Mean You Can Buy It - Buying Property in Switzerland with Peter Bloemsma

Lex Koller, holiday homes, and why permission matters more than budget in Switzerland The One Where the Dream Property Comes With a Permission Slip The mountains are perfect. The infrastructure works. The idea of having a place here feels grounding. And then comes the sentence no one expects: you are actually not allowed to buy that. In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Peter Bloemsma, founder and Managing Partner of Swiss Advisory Services, to pull back the curtain on why buying a holiday home in Switzerland is far more restricted than most internationals expect and why understanding the rules early is the only thing that gives you back control. Peter has been guiding international clients through Swiss real estate since 2009, combining global perspective with deep local expertise. He has heard every version of the wishlist. Freestanding chalet, ski in ski out, seven bedrooms, garage for five cars. And he has had to explain, more than once, that the problem is not the budget. It is the law. IN THIS EPISODE * Lex Koller explained: the protective framework that shocks even well-prepared buyers * Who can buy what, where, and how much: the 1,500 annual permits, the 200m2 net limit, and why cantonal quotas matter * The building stop since 2012 * Residents vs. non-residents: why your Swiss permit type changes everything * The company workaround myth: why it does not work the way people think * What the Swiss tax return looks like when you own property here but live elsewhere - including the worldwide income surprise * What actually shifted demand over the last decade: global warming, remote work, Covid, the strong franc, and the Plan B mentality * Where taxes quietly enter the picture, and why late planning makes everything harder THE BOTTOM LINE Internationals looking to buy in Switzerland: Affordability is not the bottleneck. Permission is. The sooner you understand Lex Koller, the sooner you can plan around it rather than be stopped by it. Anyone who has heard about company structures as a workaround: This is one of the most persistent myths in Swiss property. Lex Koller looks at the private person, not the company. Commercial property is a different conversation entirely. Non-residents who already own property here: Switzerland will ask you to file a tax return and may require you to declare your worldwide income and assets, not just the property. It is manageable, but only if you do not ignore it. For everyone: Good decisions start with honest conversations, ideally before you fall in love with a property you may never be allowed to own. HOST AND GUEST Julia Tatje - Swiss tax specialist for internationals. Founder, taxum AG. Peter Bloemsma - Founder and Managing Partner, Swiss Advisory Services. Guiding international clients discreetly and strategically through Swiss real estate since 2009. Swiss Advisory Services - swissadvisoryservices.com [http://https://www.swissadvisoryservices.com/] Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbloemsma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbloemsma/] 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 Peter at Swiss Advisory Services: swissadvisoryservices.com 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.

5 - I Thought I’d Figure It Out Later - The Real Cost of Waiting to Invest

Why delaying investing can quietly cost you thousands Somewhere between moving countries, building careers, and doing everything right, money becomes that quiet thing we promise we will deal with later. Later, when we know more. Later, when it feels less intimidating. Later, when we finally have time. In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Cristina Jaeger, founder of Her Financial Freedom, to talk about why later has a way of getting very expensive and what internationally mobile women can actually do about it today. Cristina spent over 14 years in international wealth management, from Zurich to Hong Kong, advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients building investment strategies and growing multi-million portfolios. Today, through Her Financial Freedom, Cristina helps women worldwide take ownership of their finances with the goal of strengthening financial education and enabling true independence through investing. Through her signature Wealth Mentoring program, she guides women step by step with clear strategies, practical tools, and a deeply supportive community. And there is one number from this conversation you may want to write down: Waiting just two years to invest 500 francs a month can cost you around 50,000 francs over the next 20 years. IN THIS EPISODE * Why brilliant, ambitious women treat their financial future like a relationship they will commit to once life calms down * Why finances are not just rational, but deeply emotional, shaped by upbringing, relationships, and confidence * The pension gap, wealth gap, and lifetime earning gap - and why even financially independent women are still shocked by the numbers * What happens when women outsource financial decisions for too long and why the cost is often only visible years later * Pension planning across borders: why internationally mobile women are especially exposed * Real client stories: from costly fees and missed investments to six-figure portfolio turnarounds and regained confidence * Why “I’ll deal with it later” often turns into the most expensive decision financially and emotionally * How to eat the elephant: small, imperfect, but consistent steps that build real momentum * The BOLD podcast, free webinars, finance tools, and the Her Financial Freedom community THE BOTTOM LINE If you have been waiting until you understand everything: You will never feel fully ready. The cost of waiting is measurable, and it is significant. Two years costs you 50,000 francs. Start anyway. If you invest but have never heard of DA-1 relief: You may be leaving money on the table every single year. This is a right, not a workaround, and it applies to many international investors in Switzerland. If your pension is fragmented across countries: This is one of the most expensive blind spots for internationally mobile women, and one of the most fixable. The earlier you look at it, the better the outcome. If you think this is just about money: It isn`t. It is about confidence, clarity, and the ability to make decisions in finances and far beyond. HOST AND GUEST Julia Tatje - Swiss tax specialist for internationals. Founder, taxum AG. Cristina Jaeger - Founder of Her Financial Freedom. Former international banker with over 14 years of experience in global wealth management, advising high-net-worth clients. Today, she helps women build financial confidence, invest with clarity, and create long-term independence through education, mentoring, and community. Website: https://herfinancialfreedom.net/ [https://herfinancialfreedom.net/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-jaeger-7449428a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-jaeger-7449428a/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/her.financialfreedom/ [https://www.instagram.com/her.financialfreedom/] LISTEN UND CONNECT Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3T0ihuKjeYmrxfSY0rSP7l?si=bcf62338b706446d [https://open.spotify.com/show/3T0ihuKjeYmrxfSY0rSP7l?si=bcf62338b706446d] · Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tax-and-the-city/id1858716652 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tax-and-the-city/id1858716652] Taxum AG: taxum.ch [https://www.taxum.ch/] · Beratungsgespräch buchen: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt [https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt] Her Financial Freedom: https://herfinancialfreedom.net/ [https://herfinancialfreedom.net/] · BOLD Podcast: https://herfinancialfreedom.net/bold [https://herfinancialfreedom.net/bold] · Free Finance Tracker: https://herfinancialfreedom.net/hff-finance-tracker [https://herfinancialfreedom.net/hff-finance-tracker]

4 - Was tun, bevor der Eigenmietwert Geschichte ist? mit Bastian Thurneysen

Die Folge, in der wir uns fragen: Habe ich etwas verpasst - oder ist es noch nicht zu spät? Der Eigenmietwert war jahrelang ungeliebt, oft missverstanden - und jetzt soll er abgeschafft werden. Plötzlich wollen alle wissen, was das für sie bedeutet. Julia Tatje spricht mit Bastian Thurneysen, Rechtsanwalt bei Burckhardt, über die Fehler, die gerade jetzt passieren, und darüber, warum die Entscheidungen von heute noch lange nachwirken werden - auch nach 2028. Und ja, die beiden kennen sich seit einem Campingplatz irgendwo in den Bergen von Lesotho. Oder war es Südafrika? Egal - jetzt sind sie in Zürich, und das Thema ist ernst. IN DIESER FOLGE * Eigenmietwert: Was er ist, warum er abgeschafft wird und warum das noch nicht morgen passiert * Die grössten Fehler, die Eigentümer:innen gerade machen * Werterhaltend vs. wertvermehrend: der Unterschied, der bei der Steuererklärung zählt * Energetische Sanierungen strategisch planen und steuerlich optimal nutzen * Schuldzinsen: unreflektiert reduzieren kann teuer werden * Top-Tipps: Was jetzt noch möglich ist, bevor das Fenster schliesst DAS FAZIT Wer bereits Wohneigentum besitzt: Das Fenster ist noch offen, aber es schliesst sich. Renovationen, Unterhalt und Energiesanierungen wollen zeitlich und steuerlich geplant sein. Wer jetzt handelt, spart nicht nur Steuern, sondern schafft Klarheit für die Zeit danach. Wer über Kauf nachdenkt: Der Wegfall des Eigenmietwerts verändert die Rechnung. Szenarien für nach 2028 sollten heute schon mitgedacht werden. Für alle: Steuern verzeihen keine Annahmen. Und dieses Thema ist keines für den Küchentisch, sondern für einen guten Plan. 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. Bastian Thurneysen -- Bastian Thurneysen ist Rechtsanwalt und Steuerexperte mit Fokus auf nationale und internationale Steuerfragen. Er versucht komplexe Themen so auf den Punkt zu bringen, dass man sie auch ohne KI-Übersetzungshilfe versteht. In seiner Arbeit begleitet er Unternehmen und Privatpersonen – egal ob internationaler Konzern oder Start-up, Unternehmer, Häuslebauer oder Cryptotrader durch das Steuerlabyrinth – mit einer guten Mischung aus Präzision, Pragmatismus und immer einer Prise Humor." Website: Bastian Thurneysen • burckhardt AG [http://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] HÖREN UND KONTAKT → Website: https://www.taxum.ch/ [http://www.taxum.ch/] → LinkedIn: Julia Tatje - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/ [http://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/] → Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog [http://www.taxum.ch/blog] → Youtube Channel Tax and the City [http://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city?si=YE6SgrVTCu4pBUsc] → Kontakt Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt [http://www.taxum.ch/kontakt] Dieser Podcast dient ausschliesslich der Information und stellt keine Rechts- oder Steuerberatung dar. Bitte konsultiere eine qualifizierte Fachperson für deine individuelle Situation.