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The new 4 VAT form is available on the VAT portal. Here, you can input both the VAT data for 2023 and those with the 2024 tax rates.
VAT data can be submitted in one of the following ways:
Manually enter the VAT data in the AFC portal
- View and print out the VAT return facsimile and check that the data is correct.
- Log in to the Federal Tax Administration portal with your account details.
- Manually enter the data from the VAT Facsimile in the online VAT report.
- Check all data before sending.
- Proceed with the submission.
Online submission of VAT data with Xml file
From 2025, it is no longer possible to send the VAT report in paper format. Banana Accounting Plus is prepared according to the VAT rates in force since 2024 for the transmission of VAT data via Xml file.
For the creation of Xml files, please refer to the information at Swiss VAT Report 2024: effective method
Before entering the data on the FTA portal, proceed as follows:
- View and print the VAT Return facsimile and check that the data is correct.
- Create the XML file for the VAT for the quarter or the semester you are interested in. Ensure that the transmitted period is correct (see the next section).
- Log in to the Federal Tax Administration portal with your account data.
- Choose to import the data in XML format.
- Check the data automatically displayed in the online form against the data in the VAT facsimile.
- Validate the data and proceed with the submission.
Verification of the Transmitted Period
- If an invalid period is transmitted, the file will be rejected.
The valid periods, divided by method, are as follows:- Vat Net/Flat Rate Method: semi-annual and annual.
- Vat Effective Method: quarterly, semi-annual, and annual.
- If you recently registered as a VAT taxpayer, the reporting period does not necessarily start on 1st MM.YYYY but could, for example, start on 16th MM.YYYY.
- Submitting a report for a period from 01.01.20YY to 30.09.20YY, thus covering multiple periods, will result in the file being rejected.
Net or gross sales
When manually entering data into the AFC portal, it is important to correctly choose the net setting at the top of the form.
If, on the other hand, you directly submit the XML file generated by Banana Accounting Plus, the information is already included in the file itself through the <eCH-0217:grossOrNet> tag.
Error Messages
This extension does not work with your current version of Banana Accounting.
This extension works from version Banana Accounting Plus 10.1 or higher, Advanced plan.
The VAT number of your company is invalid or missing.
Set or correct it with the File menu > File properties (Basic data) > Address tab.
The VAT number must consist of 9 digits. You can also indicate the text CHE, the important thing is that you indicate the 9 digits. For example, you can write CHE-211.311.311 or 211.311.311.
The VAT number must be entered in the File Properties (Basic Data) dialogue, Address tab, VAT field, via the menu command File > File Properties (Basic Data).
At digit xxx the rate xxx is not allowed. Check VAT code xxx
For the digits 302, 303, 312, 313, 342, 343, 382 and 383, the VAT rates are checked according to what the Federal Tax Administration has published (VAT rates from 1 January 2024).