US persons · Switzerland
US expat tax in Switzerland — both returns, one conversation.
As a US citizen or green-card holder in Geneva, you file twice: a Swiss cantonal return and a US 1040, plus FBAR and possibly FATCA forms. We list the small group of Geneva fiduciaires who routinely coordinate both sides, including pillar 3a, PFIC concerns, and totalisation.
Replies are typically sent within one business day. Introductions are reviewed manually in Geneva.
Who this is for
Typical profiles we help
- US citizens newly arrived in Geneva on a B or L-permit
- Green-card holders weighing expatriation or i-407
- Founders with US LLCs or S-corps living in Switzerland
- Dual filers retiring with pillar 2/3a balances and US retirement accounts
Local context
What to know in Geneva
- Two returns, one year
- Cantonal return due 31 March (extendable to 30 June); US 1040 due 15 April with automatic 2-month expat extension to 15 June.
- FBAR / FinCEN 114
- Required if aggregate foreign accounts exceeded USD 10,000 at any point in the year. Penalties for non-filing are steep — most US filers in Geneva file even when borderline.
- PFIC trap
- Most non-US mutual funds (including Swiss ones) are PFICs for US tax. Pillar 3a fund choices matter more for US persons than for anyone else.
- Totalisation
- US-Swiss totalisation agreement avoids double social charges — AVS payments are credited against US Social Security under specific rules.
What we check
Credentials we review before listing
- Files US 1040 and Swiss cantonal return together each cycle
- Familiar with FBAR, FATCA Form 8938, and PFIC treatment
- Coordinates with US-licensed enrolled agents or CPAs where needed
FAQ
Common questions
Can a single advisor handle both sides?
A few Geneva fiduciaires hold both EXPERTsuisse and US (EA/CPA/AICPA) credentials. More commonly, the Geneva advisor coordinates with a US-side partner — billed transparently.
Is pillar 3a worth it for a US citizen?
It saves Swiss tax but the US doesn't recognise the deferral, and most pillar 3a funds are PFICs. Cash-only 3a accounts often make sense; fund-based 3a often doesn't.
I haven't filed US taxes in years. What now?
The Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure exists for non-wilful non-filers and is widely used. A Geneva-based US tax advisor will run the eligibility check in an initial call.
Geneva-based
Quietly introduce me to the right advisor.
Six short questions. We read your form personally and reply within two working days from Geneva.