Blossoming of Delay: Federal Council Presents Peculiar Outcomes on Imputed Rental Value

Spring is also a time for blossoms. Inevitably, the 1956 musical 'My Fair Lady' comes to mind spontaneously - an adaptation of the play 'Pygmalion' by George Bernard Shaw. After all, the probably best-known passage of the German version states aptly: 'The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.'

However, there is no need to look far, as the good is (often) quite near. As in every spring, the cherry blossom in Zug competes with the cherry blossom in northwestern Switzerland these days, especially in Basel-Landschaft - also known depending on the part of the canton as 'Kirsi' or 'Chriesi.' Perhaps the race is running the other way around. That might be best left to the eye of the beholder.

Cherry trees have been in bloom in the lower regions for over two weeks now, and more are blooming by the day. If you want to know where the cherry blossom is currently at its most spectacular, dial the official Zug 'Chriesi phone' or check the Basel-Landschaft 'Bluescht live ticker' online. Don't hesitate too long, as the blossom comes and goes quickly.

While this natural spectacle brings us joy, the same cannot be said about one of the most recent decisions under the Federal Palace dome in Bern. Because the abolition of the imputed rental value is producing peculiar outcomes of another kind.

On April 1 (not an April Fool's joke), the Federal Council decided to further postpone the implementation of the reform. Instead of abolishing the imputed rental value on January 1, 2028, as announced around the referendum on September 28 last year, it will now be abolished on January 1, 2029. The reason: this should give the cantons enough time, if applicable and on their own resolution, to implement the associated property tax on second homes. The HEV Switzerland is completely dissatisfied with what this additional deferral entails for property owners.

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: HEV Schweiz