Year-end tax optimization — Canton Solothurn
A canton-specific rundown of the deductions, contributions, and timing moves that can lower your tax bill before the tax year 2026 closes.
SO
Canton code
×1.20
Cantonal multiplier
Estimated canton/commune multiplier vs. federal tax — approximate only.
12
Applicable rules
0
Canton-specific particularities
Solothurn: how much should you set aside?
Enter your revenue and expenses: the calculator applies Solothurn's multiplier and shows what to park each month for AVS and income tax.
Home office deduction
No fixed cap
If you work from home regularly and have a dedicated workspace, you can deduct a share of rent/mortgage interest, utilities, and insurance proportional to the office area.
Professional tools and training
No fixed cap
Deduct software subscriptions, hardware, books, courses, and conference fees directly tied to your business activity.
Vehicle / travel expenses
No fixed cap
Deduct business travel at CHF 0.70/km (car) or actual public transport costs. Keep a logbook for mixed-use vehicles.
Meal deduction (away from home)
No fixed cap
When working at a client site or traveling for business, deduct CHF 15/meal for lunch and CHF 27.50 for dinner.
Health insurance premium deduction
No fixed cap
Health and accident insurance premiums are deductible up to a canton-specific cap for self-employed persons.
Interest on business loans
No fixed cap
Interest paid on loans used exclusively for business purposes (equipment, working capital) is fully deductible.
Applies from CHF 50’000 revenue
Pillar 3a buy-in for a missed year (new)
Max: CHF 7’258
2026 is the first year you can buy back a Pillar 3a gap (2025). Pay the full 2026 contribution first, then buy in up to CHF 7'258 extra — both fully deductible. Requires a written application to your 3a foundation.
Pillar 3a contribution (with 2nd pillar)
Max: CHF 7’258
Contribute the maximum to your Pillar 3a account before Dec 31. This amount is fully deductible from taxable income.
Pillar 3a contribution (without 2nd pillar)
Max: CHF 36’288
As a self-employed person without a 2nd pillar, you can contribute up to 20% of net income (capped). This is the single most impactful deduction.
Pay provisional AHV before year-end
No fixed cap
AHV/IV/EO contributions paid in the current year are deductible for that year. Ensure your provisional contributions are paid before Dec 31.
Immediate asset write-off
Max: CHF 1’000
Assets under CHF 1,000 can typically be expensed immediately. For larger items, use declining-balance depreciation (often 25-40% per year depending on asset class).
VAT method optimization
No fixed cap
If your expenses are below ~40% of revenue, the flat-rate method (taux de dette fiscale nette) often saves money vs. effective method. Review annually.
Requires VAT registration
Official figures and deadlines — Canton Solothurn
Tax multiplier (canton and capital)
For 2026 the canton charges a Steuerfuss of 104% for individuals and the city of Solothurn 107%. The average communal Steuerfuss reached 118.2%, the largest one-year increase since 2015.
Tax return filing deadline
The filing deadline is 31 March for residents who are individuals, with no separate date for self-employed people.
Deadline extension
The extension to 31 July is free and automatic — silence counts as approval. Going to 30 November costs CHF 30, needs a justification and is answered in writing; anything later is exceptional and costs CHF 30 each time. The online form uses your eTax ID, and fines start at CHF 100 plus a CHF 60 handling fee after the 20-day grace period.
What is specific to Solothurn for the self-employed
Particularity 1
If you contribute to neither a pension fund nor pillar 3a, the insurance-premium deduction for 2026 is CHF 7'800 married, CHF 3'900 single and CHF 1'050 per child, against CHF 5'200 / CHF 2'600 / CHF 700 otherwise — a 50% uplift that many self-employed people qualify for.
Particularity 2
Childcare is deductible up to CHF 25'800 per child for 2026, matching the federal cap and among the highest cantonal figures; from 2026 the trip to the childcare place also counts at 75 centimes per kilometre.
Particularity 3
Solothurn still levies a Personalsteuer, a flat head tax of CHF 30 per adult — a rarity in Switzerland, and its abolition is under discussion.
Particularity 4
Above CHF 319'900 of taxable income the simple tax is a flat 10.5% under the 2026 tariff, and the wealth-tax scale is not monotonic: it peaks at 1.25 per mille before dropping back to 1.00 per mille.
Official sources
Facts verified against official sources on 2026-07-29. Not tax advice — confirm with your trustee or the cantonal tax office.
Start your free trial — track these in your canton
Sign in with Google and SoloLedger turns this checklist into a live, canton-aware view of deductions and contributions — inside the Sheets you already use.
No credit card to explore. Your data always stays yours.
Explore other cantons
Estimates only, not tax advice. The cantonal multiplier and deduction caps shown are approximate — confirm figures with your trustee or cantonal tax office before filing.