Accounting Services in Liechtenstein: Bookkeeping, Accounts and Tax Returns

Bookkeeping and review for third parties are trustee activities so far as they are not reserved to auditors (TrHG Art. 2(e)). A holder of a trade licence for bookkeeping may also keep books. LFT collects the vouchers and coordinates. The persons entrusted with management sign the annual accounts (PGR Art. 1056).

The statutes set two routes for the books. A trade-licensed bookkeeper counts as an external bookkeeper (SPG Art. 2(1)(x)). The trade act excludes trustees and tax advisers (GewG Art. 3(f)), and the trustee also covers review and tax advice (TrHG Art. 2(d), (e)). The engagement is set with the licensed partner.

Yes, for an AG, KAG or GmbH: they keep proper accounts even if they run no commercial business (PGR Art. 1045(2)). The first books start with an inventory and an opening balance sheet at entry in the register (Art. 1047, 1048(1)). A ready-made company was entered already, so the yearly duties continue for the buyer.

The annual accounts may be in German or English, in Swiss francs, euro or US dollars (PGR Art. 1049(1)). The tax return documents are in German (SteG Art. 94(3)), while the annexes may be in English (SteV Art. 41(3)). Commercial register entries are made in German (HRV Art. 4(1)).

Above the small-company limits, an AG, KAG or GmbH is audited by a licensed auditor (PGR Art. 1058(1); WPG Art. 2). Otherwise the accounts are reviewed by a Revisor or a review firm (Art. 1058(2)) or by a licensed trustee (TrHG Art. 2(e)), unless a micro company waives it. Small means a balance sheet total of CHF 9.2 million, one of three limits.

A micro company running a business may waive it by unanimous decision of the supreme body (PGR Art. 1058a(2)). The waiver covers later years, but any member may demand a review at any time. Segmented legal persons and AGs with bearer shares are excluded. It is declared to the Office of Justice; the entry costs CHF 50.

Within six months after the financial year ends (PGR Art. 1048(2)); a financial year may run up to 18 months in justified cases. An AG, KAG or GmbH files the approved accounts within twelve months after the balance sheet date (Art. 1122(1)), extendable on a reasoned application. The Office of Justice sets a correction period of up to four weeks.

Books, vouchers and correspondence are kept ten years (PGR Art. 1059(1)), counted from the end of the financial year of the last entry (Art. 1059(4)). The annual accounts stay written and signed; other records may be electronic with the same evidential force as paper (Art. 1059(2), (3)). A foundation's records duty applies Art. 1059 by analogy (Art. 552 § 26).

It is created in the Tax Administration's eTax programme and filed electronically with the detailed accounts (SteV Art. 42a(1)), mandatory from tax year 2024. A representative needs a written power of attorney (SteG Art. 90). The taxpayer signs personally and confirms the return is complete and true; the passcode comes with the information letter.

The Tax Administration fixes the deadline each year (SteG Art. 95(1)). For the corporate return it may extend the deadline by six months on a reasoned written request made at the latest 30 days after the general due date, with payment of the provisional invoice (SteV Art. 42). The Tax Administration decides on each request.

The return documents are written in German (SteG Art. 94(3)). For further documents in another language, the authority may require a translation or have one made at the taxpayer's cost. The annexes to the return, such as the detailed annual accounts and the auditor's report, may be in English (SteV Art. 41(3)).

We found no statute that sets a period for restoring records. The books are judged against PGR Art. 1046: traceable, complete, correct, timely and orderly. If documents are missing or unreliable, the Tax Administration assesses at its discretion (SteG Art. 102(2)). The licensed partner rebuilds the books from bank statements, contracts and vouchers.

These are official fees, not ours: CHF 30 per document with annexes for depositing annual accounts, CHF 50 to enter a review waiver and CHF 30 to enter the filing date (GbHr-GebV Annex 2, version 1 August 2024). Each is a separate item. Pricing for LFT and the licensed partner is given on request.