The second wave of the COVID-19 virus continues to make measures to support companies necessary. In addition, a hardship program has been set up to save particularly affected companies and sectors of the economy.
The main objective of the amendments to the ordinance adopted by the Federal Council is to protect particularly affected companies (e.g. companies in the event industry and tourism) and groups of employees (e.g. employees on call and self-employed persons).
Hardship program of the federal government: How the key data are calculated
The key figures set by the federal government for possible contributions in the form of loans and à fonds perdu contributions are as follows:
- Contributions are paid if turnover 2020 is 60 percent lower than the average for 2018 and 2019
- Loans will be issued up to a maximum of 25% of 2019 sales, up to an absolute maximum of CHF 10 million.
- A fund perdu amounts may be paid up to a maximum of 10% of 2019 sales, up to an absolute maximum of CHF 500,000.
A calculation example can be found in our detailed compilation.
Hardship case programs are also set up at the cantonal level. We show this using the example of the cantons of Zug, Lucerne and Zurich.
Hardship program Kanton Zug: Who can expect support?
- Cultural enterprises: here, compensation for loss of earnings and contributions to transformation projects are provided for
- Industries particularly affected: Event, travel and tourism companies, showmen etc.
- Loans and à fonds perdu contributions in the ratio of 10:1
The canton of Zug has decided to participate in the federal hardship program. This program provides for the cantons to contribute half of the measures for hardship cases. In this context, it is particularly important to the State of Zug that financial aid for hardship cases can be provided as early as December 2020. More on this in our Corona paper on hardship cases.
Hardship program of the canton of Zurich: supplementary measures to those of the federal government
The Canton of Zurich has decided on the following additional measures:
- Credit default guarantees: this is intended for SMEs with up to 250 employees. The default guarantee covers 85 % of the credit volume of CHF 500 million.
- Non-profit organizations in the fields of culture, social services and education: For the time being, CHF 28 million will be made available for support.
- Self-employed persons: unbureaucratic assistance is to be provided here, since the loss of orders can put them in immediate distress, and one would like to prevent them from slipping into social welfare. For the time being, CHF 15 million have been made available for this purpose.
- Deadline for submitting tax returns: The deadline is extended from 31.3. to 31.5.2021. The reason for this is, among others, is the limited accessibility of the information centers and the special questions that many taxpayers have.
- Call for goodwill in invoices: The Government Council calls on all public bodies to pay incoming invoices more before the usual 30 days and, on the other hand, to extend payment periods for invoices issued up to 120 days.
Hardship program of the canton of Lucerne: Targeted at particularly affected companies and persons
The package of measures of the canton of Lucerne provides for the following:
- Hardship cases in the economic sector: this is intended for SMEs with 5 or more full-time employees. Here the Canton of Lucerne is acting together with the Albert Koechlin Foundation. Loans, à-fonds perdu payments and tailor-made consulting services are planned. Applications can be submitted until 31.12.2020. These will be assessed by a team of experts, who will decide on the respective assistance in individual cases.
- Cultural enterprises: the compensation for loss of earnings will be extended to 21.12.2021 and new contributions to transformation projects will also be provided. They can be applied for using the respective application forms.
- Independent cultural workers: They can receive compensation for loss of earnings from the cantonal compensation office after 16.09.2020 until 31.12.2021. However, this must be registered separately for each company closure and each cancelled event.
- Cultural associations in the amateur sector: These associations should continue to receive compensation from the umbrella organizations for financial losses resulting from reduced performance or cancellation of events.
If needed: Get support!
Do you have any questions or need assistance with the relevant applications? Then please contact Roger Osterwalder, he will be happy to help you.
