Cross-party alliance opposes Centre Party fairness initiative

A cross-party alliance is campaigning against the Centre Party’s Fairness Initiative, warning it could create tax complications and cost the federal government up to 3 billion francs a year, SRF reports.

The alliance includes the FDP, SP, Greens and GLP, as well as several associations. It says the initiative is unnecessary because voters approved individual taxation in March, which is intended to end the tax penalty for married couples.

Implementation of individual taxation is already under way and is due by 2032. From then, people are to be taxed separately at federal, cantonal and municipal levels, regardless of their marital status.

The initiative, titled “Yes to fair federal taxes for married couples too – finally end discrimination against marriage”, would change only federal taxation. Opponents say this could leave people filing as many as three tax returns, while cantons and municipalities would still have to introduce individual taxation under the law already approved.

The initiative’s alternative tax calculation would also create a bonus for married couples and disadvantage unmarried couples again, the alliance argues. It says the tax relief would mainly benefit top earners, with little gain for middle-income households.

Based on calculations by the Federal Tax Administration, opponents estimate annual federal revenue losses of between 700 million and 3 billion francs. They say the shortfall would have to be covered by spending cuts or tax increases. Voters will decide on the initiative on November 29.