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CRIME

Swiss police arrest man for pouring petrol on synagogue

Swiss police said on Sunday they have arrested a man with mental health issues for allegedly dousing a synagogue in the city of Zurich with petrol.

Published: 11 August 2024 16:03 CEST
Swiss police arrest man for pouring petrol on synagogue
Police officers stand guard at the Synagoge Agudas Achim in Zurich, on March 3, 2024. Photo: ARND WIEGMANN/AFP.

According to the Zurich municipal police’s initial investigations, the 32-year-old Swiss national “acted alone and no extremist motives have been put forward” for the attack.

The suspect spilt petrol at the synagogue’s entrance on Saturday evening, before being surprised by a member of the Jewish place of worship’s security services.

After the man fled the scene on foot, the police launched a manhunt for the suspect, arresting him early on Sunday morning.

The police added that the suspect “appears to be mentally disturbed”.

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ZURICH

Zurich homeowners to pay significantly higher property taxes

Properties are more expensive in Zurich than almost anywhere else in Switzerland, but a planned new charge will place further financial burdens on the canton’s homeowners.

Published: 18 September 2024 10:50 CEST
Zurich homeowners to pay significantly higher property taxes

Because Zurich is re-evaluating all properties, homeowners will have to brace themselves for significantly higher tax bills from 2027, cantonal authorities announced onTuesday. 

This step was triggered by two court rulings, according to which many properties in the canton were undervalued. The last estimate took place in 2009, but real estate prices have soared by an estimated 50 percent since then.

Therefore, property tax values are to increase by an average of 48 percent, while  imputed rental values for single-family homes will rise by an average of 11 percent and for apartments by 10 percent.

With this measure, the canton and municipalities can expect additional income of 85 million each.

What is the imputed rental value?

It is a tax term used to describe the theoretical rental value that you would have to pay if you were renting your own property.

In Switzerland, this value is used to calculate taxes, even if you live in your own apartment or house and do not pay rent.

For owner-occupied apartments in the canton of Zurich, the imputed rental value is 4.25 percent of the tax value. For single-family homes, it is 3.5 percent.

Authorities get ready for more ‘hardship’ cases

As a result of this tax hike, a larger number of hardship cases — that is, people who won’t be able to afford higher property taxes — the cantonal government is calling for the introduction of a ‘hardship regulation.’

Under this measure, a tax charge on the imputed rental value should be anchored in the law if it leads to an excessive tax burden in relation to the household income and assets.

The current cantonal hardship regulation serves as a transitional solution, which is in effect until legal basis is enacted at a federal level.

READ ALSO: How fast are property prices rising in Zurich in 2024? 

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