Aargau voters to decide on income tax cuts
Monday 9th November 2026 on 09:30 in
Switzerland
Voters in the canton of Aargau will decide on November 29 whether to cut income taxes, SRF reports. The proposal would reduce taxes for people on lower and middle incomes as well as higher earners.
Under the plan, single taxpayers with taxable income of at least 55,000 francs and married couples with at least 110,000 francs would benefit. The canton’s voting booklet says these thresholds cover the top 25 percent of taxpayers. Overall, 68 percent of taxpayers could pay less, while 30 percent would be barely affected. Two percent would pay more, by up to 140 francs a year.
The cuts would reduce annual revenue by 41 million francs for the canton and 37 million francs for municipalities, a combined shortfall of 78 million francs. The cantonal government and a majority of the cantonal parliament say the changes would be cost-neutral. They say the cuts would be funded through adjustments to property valuations, as was a wealth tax reduction in 2025. A reassessment of property tax values and imputed rental values that year generated about 195 million francs in additional revenue.
Supporters say the cuts would help Aargau rank among Switzerland’s 10 cantons with the lowest tax burdens, including for high earners, and discourage skilled workers and managers from moving to neighbouring cantons. FDP member of the cantonal parliament Jeanine Glarner told SRF that the revision was important for Aargau and would have an effect. Supporters also say the canton can afford the cuts because it has no debt and holds 1.45 billion francs in a separate reserve fund.
Opponents call the plan a tax giveaway to top earners, saying about half of the savings would go to the highest-earning quarter. They warn that municipalities could face pressure to raise tax rates as they contend with costs for schools, care and infrastructure. SP member of the cantonal parliament Mia Jenni said many municipalities were already struggling with a backlog of investment.
The cantonal government and a majority of the parliament support the revision. The SVP, FDP, Centre and GLP have recommended a yes vote; the SP, Greens and EVP oppose it.
Aargau voters approved lower corporate taxes in 2022 and lower wealth taxes in 2025. The cantonal parliament also reduced the cantonal tax rate for 2026.