Cantonal Council ZG In the canton of Zug, the value-added tax is to remain at 20 percent
If a plot of land in the canton of Zug increases in value as a result of zoning, a 20 percent levy on the added value should continue to be payable. The cantonal council has spoken out against the "added value initiative", which calls for an increase to 30 percent.
29.08.2024, 11:07
29.08.2024, 11:58
SDA
The cantonal council thus followed the government council on Thursday by 53 votes to 17. However, the government and parliament want to put forward a counter-proposal to the initiative launched by the left. The final vote on this will take place after the second reading.
In addition to retaining the 20 percent value-added tax for zoning, the counter-proposal deals with the value gains generated by rezoning, upzoning or development plans. Parliament decided by 34 votes to 32 in favor of obliging the municipalities to demand an added value levy in these cases.
The rate was set at 20 percent. This is levied on the additional land value reduced by CHF 1.5 million. The SP had argued in vain for a rate of 30 percent and a deduction of only CHF 0.5 million.
Government defeated
The government council and a small minority in the council rejected an obligation for the municipalities to levy an added value tax for rezoning, upzoning or development plans. They argued in vain for an "optional formulation". Building Director Florian Weber (FDP) justified this stance primarily on the basis of municipal autonomy.
Cantonal councillor Barbara Gysel (SP) said on behalf of the initiators that the central idea of the value-added initiative was to promote affordable housing construction. "The initiative is not a financial proposal," she said. Affordable housing is important to ensure that the canton of Zug remains an attractive location.
In the counter-proposal, parliament opted for a relatively non-binding formulation to promote affordable housing. Revenue from the value-added tax that is not used to compensate for rezoning is to be used for "spatial planning measures". This includes "primarily the promotion of affordable housing construction." The initiative wants at least half of these funds to be reserved for this purpose.
