Swiss dividend tax reclaim for international investors
Switzerland withholds 35% tax on dividends, treaty-qualified investors can recover up to 20%
What is Swiss DWT?
Swiss Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) is a 35% tax applied to dividends paid by Swiss companies to shareholders. This tax is withheld at source, meaning it’s deducted before the dividend reaches your account. However, if you’re an overseas investor and your country of residence has a tax treaty with Switzerland, you may be eligible to reclaim part of the withheld tax.
With Sprintax Dividends, reclaiming overpaid Swiss DWT is fast and simple, whether you’re an individual investor, part of an employee share scheme (ESOP), or hold Swiss stocks through a broker or custodian.
Swiss DWT reclaim
01
Create your account
Create your Sprintax Dividends account here.
02
Tell us about you
Answer some simple questions about your residency, shareholdings and Swiss dividend earnings.
03
We’ll run the numbers
Our software will determine your tax treaty eligibility and provide an estimated refund for each tax year.
04
Upload your documents
Upload your dividend statement and certificate of tax residency, if required.
05
Claim your refund
Once your refund application is prepared, you can decide to self-file or have us manage it for you.
Am I eligible for a Swiss DWT refund?
If you receive dividends from Swiss companies and reside in a country that has a double taxation agreement with Switzerland, you may be eligible to reclaim part of the 35% withholding tax. Eligibility depends on your country of residence, your investor status (e.g. employee shareholder, individual investor, pension fund) and the specific treaty rate that applies.
| Country of Residence | Standard Swiss DWT | Treaty Rate on Dividends | Reclaimable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 35% | 15% | 20% |
| United Kingdom | 35% | 15% | 20% |
| United States | 35% | 15% | 20% |
| Germany | 35% | 15% | 20% |
| France | 35% | 15% | 20% |
| Norway | 35% | 15% | 20% |
| Canada | 35% | 15% | 20% |
| Australia | 35% | 15% | 20% |
The table above shows common treaty rates and how much Swiss DWT may be reclaimable for residents of selected countries.
Feedback from Sprintax users
New automated way of applying for Swiss DWT
New automated way of applying for Swiss DWT is very smooth.
Great way to file tax return on Swiss dividends
Great way to file tax return on Swiss dividends from the US. Sprintax makes is easy to answer questions from the tax form, upload documents, and get everything notarized and submitted. And they even wire the refund to you as a domestic wire instead of international. This is all for a very reasonable price. I just wish I had found them sooner.
Easeful & Professional Expert Support
Greatly simplified filing for refund of Swiss tax on dividends and the team provided clear and timely communication from start to finish. Fees are fair and similar to the costs incurred for notarization and international shipment of documents which I did on my own the year prior.
Because the more you know...
Partner with Sprintax Dividends
Navigating double-taxation for employee share scheme (ESS) participants at your organization? Book a call and learn more about how Sprintax Dividends can help.
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Outsource your tax queries to Sprintax. Our team will be happy to answer your employees questions relating to Swiss DWT reclaim.
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Your questions. Answered.
Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) is a tax deducted at source from dividend payments before they reach investors. The rate varies by country, but many countries have tax treaties allowing nonresidents to reclaim part of the withheld tax. Investors—including individuals, ESOP holders, and institutions—can apply for a refund by filing a claim with the relevant tax authority.
Yes. If you receive dividend income from Switzerland as a non-resident, tax will usually be withheld before you receive your payment.
The good news? Many investors are taxed too heavily on their Swiss dividend income – and may be entitled to claim a significant refund.
Non-resident investors are subject to a 35% withholding tax on dividends from Switzerland.
However, depending on the tax treaty between Switzerland and your country of residence, you may be able to reclaim 10%, 15%, or even 20% of this tax as a refund.
Sprintax Dividends simplifies the process of reclaiming Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) for organizations and individual investors. Our easy-to-use software removes the hassle of dealing with foreign tax authorities—no paperwork, no complicated processes. In just a few simple steps, you can reclaim overpaid tax on overseas investments and maximize your returns with ease.
Our Swiss DWT reclaim service starts from $195.