TAX AND FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOP

Short Description

The Tax and Financial Literacy Workshop provides clear and practical information about taxes, insurance and personal financial planning in Switzerland.

The programme is intended for people who want to better understand the Swiss tax and insurance systems, make more informed financial decisions and use the available options more effectively.

The workshops create an accessible environment in which specialists explain complex topics and answer general questions using practical examples.

The Idea Behind the Workshop

Taxes, insurance and financial planning are part of everyday life, yet the relevant systems can be complex and difficult to understand.

This can be particularly challenging for people who are new to Switzerland, have had limited access to financial information, are organising their finances independently for the first time or are preparing for a new professional or family situation.

A lack of knowledge may result in missed deadlines, overlooked deductions, unsuitable insurance coverage or financial decisions made without sufficient information.

Our Mission

The workshop supports people in understanding the Swiss tax, insurance and financial systems.

The project combines:

• Clear and accessible information

• Practical examples from everyday life

• Direct exchange with specialists

• Space for general questions

• Awareness of financial risks

• Foundations for independent decision-making

• Referrals to suitable advisory services when individual support is required

Our Vision

Our vision is a society in which everyone has access to understandable financial information, regardless of background, language, education or previous experience.

In the long term, we want to offer recurring workshops, reach additional target groups and build a network of specialists, organisations and community partners.

The project aims to promote financial independence, reduce uncertainty and prevent avoidable financial disadvantages.

The Swiss Tax System

Participants receive an accessible overview of key elements of the Swiss tax system.

Possible topics include:

• The structure of the Swiss tax system

• Direct and indirect taxes

• Tax returns and important deadlines

• Income, assets and debts

• Withholding tax

• Cantonal and municipal differences

• Documents required for a tax return

Tax Deductions

The workshop explains which expenses may be relevant depending on a person's circumstances.

Possible topics include professional expenses, education and training costs, transport and meal costs, insurance deductions, pillar 3a contributions, childcare costs, donations, medical expenses and debt interest.

The exact tax treatment depends on the individual situation and the applicable cantonal rules.

Insurance

Participants learn about important types of insurance and their basic purposes.

Topics may include health insurance, accident insurance, personal liability, household contents, disability, life insurance, vehicle insurance and the difference between compulsory and voluntary coverage.

The aim is to help participants compare insurance products and assess their own needs more consciously.

Personal Financial Planning

Another focus is the responsible management of income and expenses.

Topics may include:

• Monthly budgeting

• Fixed and variable expenses

• Reserves for taxes

• Emergency savings

• Savings goals

• Debt prevention

• Payment deadlines

• Contracts and subscriptions

• Long-term financial planning

Pensions and Social Security

Depending on the scope of the event, the workshop may also cover the fundamentals of the Swiss pension system.

Possible topics include the three-pillar system, AHV and IV, occupational pensions, private pensions, pillar 3a and 3b, pension gaps and the importance of contribution years.

How the Workshop Works

The programme can be delivered as a single event, a workshop series or a themed information evening.

A possible format includes:

• Introduction to the selected topic

• Explanation of important terms

• Examples from typical everyday situations

• Information about common mistakes and risks

• Questions and exchange

• A summary and further sources of information

Content is presented as clearly as possible and may be supported by multilingual materials or interpretation.

Target Group

The workshop is generally open to all interested people.

It is particularly suitable for:

• People who want to better understand the Swiss tax system

• People with a migration background

• Young adults

• Families

• People beginning their careers

• People experiencing professional or personal changes

• Community and association members

• People with questions about insurance and pensions

No prior knowledge is required.

Goals of the Project

The main goal is to strengthen financial literacy and support people in making informed and independent decisions.

Further goals include:

• Explaining complex financial topics clearly

• Reducing uncertainty around taxes

• Increasing knowledge about insurance and pensions

• Raising awareness of financial risks

• Enabling exchange with specialists

• Reducing barriers to financial topics

• Reaching different communities

• Establishing a recurring educational programme

Previous Experience

The first tax workshop took place on 26 March 2022 in cooperation with the Ghanaian Union.

The event received strong interest from participants and demonstrated a clear need for accessible information about taxes, insurance and financial planning.

This experience forms the basis for the continued development of the project.

Organisation and Participants

The Uccelli Society coordinates the workshops, selects topics, recruits specialists, manages registrations, prepares venues and materials, and evaluates the programme.

Experts from taxation, insurance, pensions and financial planning provide practical information.

Community organisations can support communication, organisation and access to target groups. The questions and feedback of participants help shape future workshops.

Benefits for Participants

Participants can improve their understanding of tax terminology, prepare documents more effectively, recognise deadlines, better assess possible deductions, compare insurance products more consciously, identify financial risks, create a realistic budget and find appropriate advisory services.

Important Information

The workshop provides general educational information. It does not replace individual tax, legal, insurance, pension or investment advice.

Personal cases should be assessed by an appropriately qualified professional or responsible authority.

Why Support the Workshop?

Support helps finance suitable specialists, venues, learning materials, multilingual content, printed information, communication and recurring events.

A partnership or donation makes financial education more accessible to people who may otherwise have difficulty finding understandable information.

How You Can Support the Project

You can attend a future workshop, contribute professional expertise, become a partner organisation, volunteer or provide financial support.

Volunteers may assist with registration, guest support, interpretation, preparation of materials, event technology, communication and social media.

Strengthening Financial Literacy Together

Together with specialists, community organisations and partners, we want to help people better understand their financial situation, recognise risks and make responsible decisions.

Interested individuals, experts, organisations and funding partners are invited to become part of the project.