Donations are twice as rewarding — they support good causes and reduce your taxable income. In Switzerland, you can deduct donations to charitable organisations from your taxes, provided certain conditions are met.
What counts as a charitable donation?
A charitable donation (voluntary contribution) is any payment or transfer of assets made without receiving anything in return. This includes contributions to:
- Public institutions (federal government, cantons, municipalities)
- Non-profit or public organisations that are tax-exempt due to their charitable purpose
Claiming donations without receipts
In some cases, you can declare door-to-door or small "house donations" without formal receipts. However, there's no guarantee the tax office will accept them — and it may request proof at any time.
How much can you deduct?
Most Swiss cantons allow you to deduct up to 20% of your net income (individuals) or 20% of net profit (companies). Donations must typically total at least CHF 100 per year.
Which organisations qualify for tax deductions?
For a donation to be deductible, the recipient must be non-profit or public-serving and tax-exempt.
The Zewo seal of approval
The Zewo Foundation certifies trustworthy Swiss charities based on transparency and impact. Donations to Zewo-certified organisations are always tax-deductible.
Other ways to verify eligibility
Not all non-profits are listed with Zewo. You can confirm their tax-exempt status through cantonal tax administrations. Many cantons publish lists of recognised non-profit organisations. Even if an organisation isn't Zewo-certified, it can still be eligible — as long as it is tax-exempt and pursues charitable or public objectives.
Which donations are not tax-deductible?
Donations to purely religious organisations are generally not deductible, unless the organisation also pursues a charitable or public purpose and your donation is used specifically for that purpose.
How to ensure your donations are tax-deductible
- Verify that the organisation is tax-exempt
- Look for the Zewo seal or your canton's official list
- Keep all donation receipts
- Confirm the donation serves a public or charitable purpose
Giving that counts
Donating is one of the most rewarding ways to make a difference — and with the right documentation, it can also bring tangible tax benefits. Request a personalised assessment or get an instant tax return quote below.