Bernese taxpayers: pay bills with a click of the mouse

Clients of the Tax Administration of Canton Berne can be the first in Switzerland to pay their tax bills by e-bill.

The Tax Administration of Canton Berne attaches great importance to the expansion of its range of innovative, electronic services. The latest online service is e-bill.

As of now, private individuals (natural persons) liable to taxation in Canton Berne can have themselves registered for e-billing. As of 2010, interested taxpayers will therefore no longer receive their pro rata bills by post, but electronically via e-bill, regardless of where they live. Berne is the first cantonal tax administration in Switzerland to offer this fast and reliable service. It applies to the following types of bill:

• The three pro rata bills for cantonal and municipal taxes in June, September and December
  
• The provisional bill for direct federal taxes in March
  
• The provisional bill for cantonal and municipal taxes

Here's how online billing works: Taxpayers activate the service in the e-banking portal of their financial institution (Swiss Post or bank) under "E-bill" and then register with the Tax Administration of Canton Berne via the list of billers in e-banking. The next bill is then sent electronically via e-banking instead of on paper. The bill is paid with a few clicks of the mouse; there is no more typing of payment data in e-banking and no more filing of paper bills.

"For years now, TaxMe has enabled us to lead the way among public authorities throughout Switzerland in terms of tax-related online services. With the new e-bill service, our clients will now be able to pay most of their tax bills online and entirely without recourse to paper. They can thus make a contribution towards the environment while also helping Canton Berne save money, i.e. the money from their taxes", emphasizes Bruno Knüsel, tax administrator for Canton Berne.

Important information on e-bill (advantages, functions and use) and registration can be found at www.be.ch/steuern and www.e-bill.ch.