Companies will not be exempt from radio and TV levy
Companies will not be exempt from the radio and television tax. The Council of States on Tuesday rejected a parliamentary initiative from the National Council by 20 votes to 14 with one abstention. The initiative is thus off the table.
Commission spokesman Stefan Engler (CVP/GR) recalled that the survey system was only introduced at the beginning of the year. Already another changeover to be made, is not indicated. Engler also pointed to the clear No to the No Billag initiative.
Companies also benefit from a functioning and independent broadcasting system, the commission spokesman added. If companies were exempted from the levy, private households would also have to pay more.
Hannes Germann (SVP/SH) supported the motion. He also justified it with the ruling of the Federal Administrative Court last week. The court had come to the conclusion that the current tariff system of the radio and television levy for companies contradicts the constitution.
It suggested to the Federal Council that the system, which comprises six tariff levels, should be differentiated. The Federal Council has announced an analysis of the tariff system for next year. Paul Rechsteiner (SP/SG) recalled that the initiative called for an abolition of the corporate levy and not an adjustment of the tariff system.
The National Council had adopted the initiative in the fall session with a clear majority. Gregor Rutz, the SVP member of the National Council from Zurich, who had submitted the parliamentary initiative, spoke of double taxation. Company owners and employees would already have to pay a tax as private individuals.
The electorate approved the levy system at the ballot box in 2015. This also introduced the corporate levy. This contributes 170 million Swiss francs per year to the levy pot. (SDA)
