Secondary Employment for Music Teachers and Requirements for Foreign Nationals
Updated: Aug 8
Music teachers from abroad are subject to specific requirements regarding secondary employment and taxes. Learn what you need to consider and who you can contact in this blog post. Read on now.
Do I need to pay taxes on my secondary employment?
Income below CHF 17,800 is exempt from income tax. If your taxable income exceeds CHF 17,800, you must pay taxes on it. It’s important to understand the difference between gross and net salary and how each is calculated. This knowledge will help you not only understand your own salary better but also complete your tax return more accurately.
Gross salary refers to the total amount agreed upon with your employer before any deductions. Net salary is the amount you receive after all mandatory deductions have been made. Taxable income is your net salary minus work-related expenses such as study fees, continuing education costs, or travel expenses.
You can claim your travel costs on a special form in your tax return. This includes travel between your residence and workplace, whether by public transport or your own car. However, it’s important to note that each canton has different regulations.
The amount of allowable deductions varies by canton and is described in the respective guidelines. You can find the relevant guide for your canton by searching for "tax return guidelines (name of canton)."
What should foreign students (EU/EFTA citizens) consider?
Citizens of EU/EFTA countries have the right to work in Switzerland. There are distinctions based on whether they are taking up employment with a Swiss employer or are self-employed (list of EU/EFTA countries).
For students from EU/EFTA countries, secondary employment of up to 15 hours per week does not require a permit. This applies to both employment (e.g., at a music school) and self-employment (e.g., teachers at Matchspace Music).
To continue teaching after completing your studies, whether as an employee or self-employed, EU/EFTA nationals must apply for a residence permit from the relevant cantonal migration office. They must demonstrate that their income is sufficient to cover their living expenses (the amount required is determined by the cantonal migration office). If this requirement is met, a B residence permit can be granted (directory of cantonal migration and labor market authorities).
What should students from third countries (non-EU/EFTA) consider?
Third countries include nations that are not part of the European Union or the Schengen Area. Nationals from third countries who are pursuing education or training at a university or university of applied sciences in Switzerland may be granted a permit for secondary employment no earlier than six months after the start of their studies, provided that:
The school administration confirms in writing that the employment is manageable within the scope of the studies,
The employment does not delay the completion of the education,
The weekly working hours do not exceed 15 hours outside of vacation periods.
When it comes to gaining practical experience as a music teacher during your studies, these conditions are typically met.
What else should I consider if I teach privately?
Read our blog post for self-employed music teachers for more information.
Sources: Office for Economy and Labor, Department of Work Permits, State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
For Matchspace Teachers
Do I receive an income statement as a teacher at Matchspace Music?
We issue an income statement to all teachers who have provided music instruction through Matchspace Music. The calculation is based on the amount paid out after deducting service fees (16.5%), which represents the teacher's actual earnings.
When will I receive my performance statement from Matchspace Music?
We strive to send all teachers their performance statement for the past year by the end of January of the following year. For example, the performance statement for 2022 will be sent by January 31, 2023.
Who can I contact with further questions?
For additional questions, feel free to contact us directly. Get in touch here.
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