Swiss Tax Tools: The Best Digital Helpers for Your Tax Return

What Does a Tax Consultant Cost?

A tax consultant in Switzerland costs between CHF 500 and over CHF 2,000 per tax return, depending on complexity. For a straightforward individual return, CHF 500-800 is typical; for families or self-employed, considerably more.

The advantages are clear: personal advice, knowledge of your situation, and accountability. But for many individuals with a simple tax situation, it's simply too expensive - especially when digital tools offer the same for a fraction of the cost.

iqtax: Tax Return with AI

iqtax

www.iqtax.ch

iqtax is a Swiss platform that creates your tax return using artificial intelligence. You upload your documents, the AI reads them automatically and optimises your deductions - without you having to fill in forms manually.

The platform offers two modes: 'Guided' walks you through the process step by step - the first tax return is free. 'Smart' uses AI to prepare your tax return within seconds (currently CHF 49).

Your data stays in Switzerland: iqtax stores everything encrypted on FINMA-compliant servers. The platform is a member of the Swiss Startup Association and certified with the federal e-government standard. Currently, the canton of Zurich is connected, with more cantons following throughout 2026.

If you want additional advice, you can book an expert call or have a specialist review your completed tax return - a nice mix of digital and personal.

If your documents are digital, iqtax takes barely longer than a coffee break.

Cantonal E-Filing Portals

Most cantons offer their own software that lets you file your tax return for free. In Zurich it's called 'ZHprivateTax', in Bern 'BE-Login', in Aargau 'eFiling Aargau'. Other cantons have similar portals.

The advantage: no cost. The downside: you have to enter everything manually, optimising your deductions is entirely up to you, and the software is often unintuitive. If you don't know your deductions, you'll easily leave money on the table.

Cantonal portals work well for people who know the Swiss tax system and have time. For everyone else, a tool that automatically identifies deductions is worth it.

Deducting Household Help from Taxes

What many don't know: if you legally employ a household helper, you can deduct these costs from your taxes in many cantons. Third-party childcare costs are deductible in most cantons; purely cleaning-related costs are only deductible in a handful of cantons and under stricter conditions.

The prerequisite is that the employment relationship is properly registered - including AHV, UVG and salary certificate. That's exactly where Clino comes in: the platform guides you step by step through payroll, social insurance and contracts for CHF 19.90 per month.

Deduction limits vary by canton. In Zurich, for example, third-party childcare costs can be deducted up to CHF 25,300 cantonally and CHF 25,800 at the federal level.

Checklist: What You Need for Your Tax Return

Whether it's a tax consultant, iqtax or a cantonal portal - have these documents ready:

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The days of paying hundreds of francs to a tax consultant for a simple tax return are over. Digital tools like iqtax make the process faster, cheaper and often more thorough - especially when it comes to optimising deductions.

And if you employ household help, you benefit twice: proper registration with Clino ensures you can actually claim the costs as tax deductions.