486 MISC. PUBLICATION 218, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
precise nature and application of the local taxes vary greatly in ie 
different Cantons. Almost all of the Cantons have income taxes, but 
some do not tax income from real estate and certain others orant 
exemptions of 4 or 5 percent of the capital value subject to the prop- 
erty tax, thus virtually exempting income from forestry since forests 
rarely earn more than this rate. In a number of Cantons, forests 
are subject to both a property and an income tax. 
To determine the taxable value of real estate for the property tax 
the usual rule is to use the ‘“‘yield value’’, ordinarily the average net 
income capitalized at interest rates fixed by law at 4 or 5 percent. 
In some Cantons the actual value based on sales, or some figure 
between the actual value and the yield value, is used. With a few 
exceptions the value of mortgages may be deducted from the total 
value before the tax rate is applied. In a number of Cantons forests 
are allowed a deduction from their total assessed value of a fixed 
portion, ranging from 25 to 50 percent, before the tax rate is applied. 
Sometimes farm land or land in general is granted the same or a smaller 
rate of deduction from assessed value. The rates of the property 
tax are usually progressive, but they are on the whole much lower 
than those which are common in the United States. 
The transfer taxes imposed by the Swiss Cantons, in contrast to 
those which burden the French forests, are generally at very moderate 
rates. ‘Transfers between living persons are usually taxed between 
2% percent and 4 percent of the sale value, sometimes with a small 
addition for the benefit of the communes. Inheritances are ordi- 
narily taxed at progressive rates according to the amount involved 
and the relationship of the heirs, with moderate or high maximum 
rates, according to the Canton. ‘Inheritances in direct line are tax 
exempt in a number of the Cantons. 
Further details as to the taxation of forest lands will be given for 6 
cantons selected from among the 10 which have more than 10,000 
hectares each in privately owned forests.* 
BERN 
The Canton levies a real-estate tax at the rate of 0.3 percent (159, 
p. 116), and there are local rates in addition which vary in the dif- 
ferent communes. The base of the tax is the value of the real estate, 
from which the mortgage indebtedness may be deducted for the 
purpose of the cantonal tax but not for local taxes. In the case of 
forests the assessed value takes into consideration the average pro- 
ductivity of the forest. Once established, it is effective for an indefi- 
nite period, a general revaluation taking place from time to time as 
ordered by the council. A forest-valuation committee has charge of 
this assessment. 
The cantonal income tax of 4.5 percent is not levied on real estate 
and therefore does not affect forests. There is a tax on the transfer of 
real property, generally 6 percent of the sale price, all of which goes 
to the Canton. An inheritance tax is levied at rates that vary with 
the amount of the bequest and the relationship of the heir; 1 to 3 
percent for husband, wife, children, or grandchildren; 4 to 8 percent 
for parents; 6 to 24 percent for more distant relatives; and 15 to 30 
percent for other persons. Of this tax 80 percent goes to the Canton 
and 20 percent to the commune. 
«@ For the area of private forests by cantons, refer to La muisse Forestier (276, p. 46). 
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