Starting a business while employed 100%

[Davy_Jones]

Hello everyone.

I am a foreigner living in Switzerland on B permit. I work for a company full-time (100%). I receive a salary for my work. I am taxed at source.

I have an idea for a small online business. However I don’t want to quit my job because the business might not take off.

My question is: Is it possible under Swiss law to be employed 100% and have a small business? My potential gig would not compete with the business of my employer I might add.

I understand I would need to be self-employed or start a GMBH in order to conduct a business while also be employed by other company?

Is it possible? What about the taxes?

Thanks in advance for the answers.

Best Regards.

 

[Baptiste Wicht]

Hi and welcome @Davy_Jones

Yes, this is possible. But you need your employer's permissions since this may impact your work (already being employed at 100%).

The taxes will depend on the legal form of the company. If you do a sole proprietorship, it will be added to your total taxable income. And if you do an LLC, you can either keep the money in the company and pay corporate taxes or give yourself a salary which will then also be added to your taxable income.

 

[gaijin]

Is it possible under Swiss law to be employed 100% and have a small business?

As an example:

My employer permits a total 110% work load (conflict of committment). If I remember correcty, the 110% is based on the law (Arbeitsgesetz) which has a max 45 hours per week. When applying for a sid gig you have to show that you don't exceed these 110%. In addition to conflict of committment you also have to show that there is no conflict of interest.