Property taxation in Geneva: private individual or property company

In Geneva, a private owner is subject to four taxes. Income from the property (imputed rental value or rents), wealth (tax value), the supplementary property tax (1 ‰ of the tax value, 0.2 ‰ for a main residence) and, on sale, the property gains tax, whose rate falls from 50 % to 2 % depending on the holding period. Two recent changes matter: the indexation of certain tax values since 2026 and the abolition of imputed rental value from the 2029 tax period.

Holding a property through a property company does not make these taxes disappear. Their logic changes: some rates differ for legal entities, and the gains scale described here applies to private individuals. This guide sets out the rules published by the Geneva authorities, then the points to examine with a tax adviser before choosing a structure.

The four taxes paid by a Geneva owner

According to the State of Geneva page on tax for property owners, a property located in the canton appears in several places on the tax return. The table summarises their logic.

Income: imputed rental value, rents and the 2029 reform

Owner-occupied property

An owner who lives in their home declares an imputed rental value: a notional income corresponding to the rent they do not have to pay. In return, current law allows deductions, notably for maintenance costs.

Let property

A let property produces taxable rental income, again according to the Geneva tax authorities. For a landlord, the management of rents and service charges therefore has a direct impact on the tax return. Our page on property management in Geneva describes what a management mandate covers.

What changes from the 2029 tax period

On 7 April 2026, the State of Geneva announced that the abolition of the taxation of imputed rental value will come into force on 1 January 2029. Three consequences for owner-occupied homes:

• imputed rental value will no longer be taxed from the 2029 tax period;
• maintenance costs will in principle no longer be deductible;
• specific rules will apply to mortgage interest and certain energy-related investments.

Until the end of 2028, the current regime continues to apply. For an owner considering major maintenance work, the timing deserves attention: carried out under the current regime, these costs remain deductible under current law.

Wealth: tax value and its indexation since 2026

Owners and usufructuaries declare the tax value of their properties, which forms part of taxable wealth. Tax value: the amount used by the authorities for tax purposes, distinct from the price at which the property would sell.

Since the 2026 tax period, certain houses and certain flats held as condominium ownership (propriété par étages, PPE) have been subject to annual indexation. A reduction applies to a property continuously occupied by its owner or their relatives: the tax value may be reduced by 4 % per year, up to 40 %. An usufructuary's situation is treated in the same way for the tax return.

The supplementary property tax

A Geneva-specific tax, the supplementary property tax is calculated on the tax value of properties located in the canton. It takes no account of the owner's financial capacity or of mortgage debts.

• Rate for a private individual: 1 ‰.
• Reduced rate for a main residence: 0.2 ‰.
• Liable person: the person registered as owner or usufructuary on 31 December of the tax period.
• Legal entities: different rates apply to certain properties.

By way of illustration, for a tax value of CHF 1'000'000.–, the tax is CHF 1'000.– at the 1 ‰ rate, and CHF 200.– if the property is the main residence. The 31 December date matters: for a sale signed in early January, the previous year's tax remains payable by the seller.

On sale: the property gains tax

According to the cantonal page calculating the amount of tax on property profits and gains, a private gain is taxed at a rate that decreases with the holding period.

The gain takes into account the purchase price, value-enhancing works and certain costs. Maintenance costs, however, are not value-enhancing expenditure. A tax return is required for every sale. Keeping invoices for works from the date of purchase simplifies this calculation years later. Details are set out in our guide on calculating the taxation of property gains in Geneva.

A worked example, for guidance only: a taxable gain of CHF 200'000.– on a property held for more than 25 years bears tax of CHF 4'000.– at the 2 % rate. The same gain made in less than two years would be taxed at 50 %.

Taxation of a property company in Switzerland: points to check in Geneva

A property company is a legal entity that holds one or more buildings; the partner or shareholder, for their part, holds shares in that company. This structure shifts the taxation without removing it. The cantonal sources provide three reference points.

1. The supplementary property tax remains payable on Geneva buildings, with different rates for certain properties held by legal entities. The reduced rate for a main residence applies to private individuals.
2. The sliding gains scale presented above concerns private property gains. For a building held by a company, the treatment of the profit on sale must be checked case by case.
3. The reduction in tax value and the abolition of imputed rental value are designed for homes occupied by their owner or their relatives. Their application to a property held by a company is not guaranteed and should be checked before purchase.

In addition, there are questions specific to the company: taxation of its profit and capital, distribution of income to partners, removal of the property or sale of the shares. These matters are for a tax adviser or a notary. Your adviser's role is to give you the market value of the property and the rental data on which their calculations are based. Our guide on Swiss property taxation and optimisation strategies supplements these reference points.

Properties outside the canton or abroad

A Geneva taxpayer may own a property in another canton or abroad. According to the Geneva tax authorities, the value and income of that property may in particular affect the rate applied to their taxation in Geneva. It must therefore be declared, even if it is not taxed in the canton.

Market value and tax value: two figures to distinguish

Tax value is used for tax; market value guides a sale, a division of assets or a transfer to a company. According to the Millenium Properties valuation of 12 November 2026, the median price in Geneva stands at CHF 15'300.– per m² for flats and CHF 14'200.– per m² for houses, with a change of +2.8 % over twelve months and +31.6 % over ten years. Over a long holding period, the difference between purchase and sale price can therefore be significant, which gives the holding period its full weight in calculating the gain.

To find out the current value of your property, an evidence-based valuation by your adviser starts from comparable sales in the neighbourhood. You then decide, with no obligation to sign a mandate.

Preparing your decisions, step by step

1. Gather the purchase deeds, invoices for works and recent tax returns.
2. Distinguish value-enhancing works from maintenance costs, and place planned works in relation to the end of 2028.
3. Check whether the property qualifies for the reduction linked to continuous occupation.
4. Have the market value assessed before any sale, gift or restructuring into a company.
5. Submit the proposed structure to a tax adviser, with figures to support it.