Corporate donations offer companies several advantages: in addition to helping those in need, they can also benefit from tax advantages. However, taking on social responsibility is something that must be learned. Whether monetary, in-kind, or food donations — here you’ll learn how to deduct donations from taxes, what requirements apply, and how the process works.
Charitable contribution deductions: What are corporate donations?
Switzerland is considered one of the most generous countries in the world: according to the Zewo Donation Report, around CHF 2.25 billion were donated to charitable organisations in 2023. While most donations come from private households, three out of ten francs are contributed by foundations, churches, other private institutions, and companies.
Corporate donations refer to voluntary contributions made by companies to charitable organizations or projects without expecting anything in return.
They can take various forms, such as:
- Monetary donations
- In-kind donations (e.g., equipment or goods)
- Food donations
Most companies donate to promote social responsibility and contribute to society — while also benefiting from a positive brand image that may influence customer behavior.
Corporate donations are tax-deductible when they go to tax-exempt organizations such as charitable associations or foundations in Switzerland. In general, up to 20% of a company’s net profit can be deducted as voluntary contributions to charitable organizations, though exact regulations may vary by canton.
Requirements for charitable contribution deductions in Switzerland
To deduct donations from taxes in Switzerland, several requirements must be met:
- Recognition of the recipient organization
- Documentation of the donation
- Tax deductibility
Recognition of the recipient organisation
A Swiss recipient organisation must be tax-exempt — for example, an association, foundation, or church — in order for the donation to qualify for a charitable contribution deduction. These organizations must also be based in Switzerland and pursue exclusively charitable, benevolent, or cultural purposes.
Verifying the organisation’s status is therefore essential for the donating company.
To be on the safe side, donors should check the register of tax-exempt organizations published by their respective canton. Alternatively, they can look for quality seals from certification bodies such as Spheriq or Zewo.
Documentation of the donation
To claim the charitable contribution deduction, a written donation receipt is required that states the amount donated. Only with this certificate can the donation be considered by the tax authorities. The donation must also be voluntary and made without any compensation.
The donation confirmation should include at least the following details:
- Amount of the donation: The donated sum must be clearly documented.
- Recipient of the donation: The name of the organization or recipient must be specified.
- Date of the donation: The date of the transaction must be recorded.
- Voluntary nature of the donation: The confirmation must clearly state that the donation was made voluntarily and without any return benefit.
The payment can be made in various ways, for example by transfer from a business bank account or via modern B2B payment methods. Be sure to keep the invoice or e-invoice to deduct donations from taxes properly.
In-kind donations must also be documented. For tax deduction purposes, the value of the donated goods must be stated — in many cases, this requires an external appraiser.
Deduct donations from taxes: Key aspects and rules
In addition to the above requirements, there are other important aspects and rules companies should keep in mind to ensure their charitable contribution deductions are valid.
No sponsorship
Donations are only tax-deductible if they are made without direct compensation. Sponsorships — where a company receives advertising or other benefits in return for its financial support — are not considered donations. In such cases, the payment is treated as a business transaction rather than a charitable contribution.
Donations to foreign organisations
In Switzerland, donations to organisations based abroad generally cannot be deducted from taxable income. In some cases, a gift tax may even apply.
To avoid these disadvantages, it is advisable to donate to Swiss branches of international organizations such as Amnesty International, Greenpeace, or UNICEF. These organizations are recognized as charitable in Switzerland and often participate in international projects — allowing donations to have a global impact while still qualifying for charitable contribution deductions within Switzerland.
Cantonal lists of tax-exempt institutions and seals from recognized certification bodies are also useful sources for identifying international organizations that are recognized as charitable in Switzerland.
Examples: Deducting donations from taxes
The following examples illustrate how companies in different situations can deduct donations from taxes.
Example 1: Donation to a children’s charity
A Swiss company donates CHF 100,000 to a children’s charity and wants to deduct the donation from taxes. First, the company must check whether the charity is officially recognized as charitable and tax-exempt — this is confirmed by the charity’s donation receipt.
Assuming the company’s net profit is CHF 500,000, and with a maximum deductible limit of 20%, the company can fully deduct the CHF 100,000 donation. However, it cannot claim any additional donations in the same tax year.
Example 2: Donation to an environmental foundation
Let’s assume a company has a net profit of CHF 200,000. The maximum amount that can be deducted from taxes is therefore CHF 40,000.
With a donation of CHF 75,000 to an environmental foundation, the excess CHF 35,000 cannot be claimed as a charitable contribution deduction. This remaining amount is not taken into account and cannot be deducted in subsequent years.
Example 3: Donation to an art museum
In the final example, a company wishes to make a donation to an art museum to support cultural development. First, it must be verified whether the museum is recognized as a charitable organisation.
For the donation to qualify for tax deductibility, the museum must engage in charitable, cultural, or educational activities. An art museum is generally recognised as charitable if it promotes culture and the arts.
If the company provides an in-kind donation instead of a monetary one (e.g., artworks or art materials), the value of the in-kind donation must be properly assessed. This valuation is carried out by external appraisers to ensure the charitable contribution deduction is valid.
Swiss tax rules: Business or special expenses?
The following section explains whether donations in Switzerland are considered business or special expenses.
Example: Donations as business expenses
For companies, donations are recognised as business expenses if they are directly related to business activity.
According to Art. 59 of the Swiss Federal Tax Act (DBG), business expenses are costs necessary to maintain operations and generate profits. This can include donations made for business-related reasons — for example, a company donating to an environmental organisation to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and improve its public image.
Example: Donations as special expenses
In general, donations made by companies are not treated as special expenses. Special expenses apply to private individuals — personal tax deductions for costs not directly linked to business activity.
However, in some cases, exceptions may apply to companies, such as for certain cultural or social projects unrelated to their business purpose. These rules depend on the canton and should be confirmed with a tax advisor.
How does my amnis account affect my taxes?
Besides the possibility to deduct donations from taxes, using an amnis multi-currency account may also have tax implications.
With amnis, companies benefit from competitive exchange rates, reduced international transaction fees, and business account interest on foreign currencies.
Because amnis operates under the tax jurisdiction of Liechtenstein, cashback earnings are not subject to withholding tax. However, depending on your company’s country of registration, different tax regulations may apply.
If you’re unsure, we recommend consulting a tax advisor or the tax authorities to ensure all income is reported correctly.
On the “
Statements page” in the amnis web app, you’ll find an overview of all funds held with amnis — with an adjustable date range. You can easily download your balance or account statements there for your records or tax filing.
Reduce your costs with amnis
amnis offers a financial ecosystem that helps companies reduce international bank transfer costs and use multi-currency debit cards for their teams. With features that support working capital optimisation and cashback on foreign currencies with multi-currency accounts, businesses can strengthen efficiency and control over their finances.
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