eTax
Swiss online tax return from Ringler Informatik, free for taxpayers at CHF 0
Summary table
| Company | Ringler Informatik AG |
|---|---|
| Category | Personal Tax Filing Apps |
| Headquarters | Baar, Switzerland |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Switzerland (CH) |
| Data Location | Switzerland (Everyware AG data centre, as stated on etax.ch) |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Full tax return, built-in check assistant, prior-year data import, online submission, Snapshare receipt scanning, support |
| Pricing | CHF 0.- per year for taxpayers (etax.ch pricing section) |
| Best For | Swiss taxpayers in canton Zurich who want a free online return |
| Replaces | TurboTax |
Our review
eTax is the online tax return service of Ringler Informatik AG, a company at Baarermattstrasse 10 in Baar, Switzerland. The eTax pages state that Ringler Informatik launched the first tax return software in Switzerland in 1986.
eTax prepares and sends a Swiss return for natural persons. From tax period 2025 the etax.ch site serves canton Zurich directly, while other cantons offer eTax through their own portals.
Is eTax really free for taxpayers?
eTax states it is free for taxpayers, with no hidden costs. The pricing section lists CHF 0.- per year for the complete return on any device.
The free package includes a check assistant, import of prior-year data, online submission, receipt scanning with the Snapshare app and support.
Where does eTax store tax data?
Ringler Informatik AG states that tax data is encrypted and stored in an ISO 27001 certified data centre of Everyware AG in Switzerland. Ringler Informatik AG itself is certified to ISO 27001:2022.
Only the user can view the stored data, according to the eTax FAQ.
How does eTax compare with TurboTax?
TurboTax is a US product from Intuit Inc. with paid tiers and optional expert help. eTax covers Swiss cantonal returns only and does not list an expert tier on the pages we read.
An AI receipt reader is announced as coming soon on etax.ch, hosted in a Swiss AI cloud.
Points against
eTax on etax.ch now serves canton Zurich for natural persons only, since St. Gallen, Lucerne and Zug moved to their own portals from tax period 2025. The pages we read list no paid expert review and no Germany or EU country coverage. Companies are pointed to Dr. Tax, a separate professional product.
Is eTax right for you?
Taxpayers resident in canton Zurich, or in a canton that offers eTax in its own portal, who want a free self-service return and a Swiss data location.
What works, what does not
Pros
- Stated price of CHF 0.- per year for taxpayers
- Data stored in Switzerland at Everyware AG
- Operator certified to ISO 27001:2022
- Check assistant and prior-year data import included
- Operator has built Swiss tax software since 1986
Cons
- etax.ch itself serves canton Zurich only from tax period 2025
- No paid expert review listed on the pages we read
- AI receipt reading is still marked "coming soon"
- No coverage for German or other EU returns
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stated price of CHF 0.- per year for taxpayers
- Data stored in Switzerland at Everyware AG
- Operator certified to ISO 27001:2022
- Check assistant and prior-year data import included
- Operator has built Swiss tax software since 1986
Cons
- etax.ch itself serves canton Zurich only from tax period 2025
- No paid expert review listed on the pages we read
- AI receipt reading is still marked "coming soon"
- No coverage for German or other EU returns
Alternatives to eTax
More European personal tax filing apps you can weigh against it:
See all European personal tax filing apps or compare them directly against TurboTax on our alternatives page.
FAQ
Yes, for Swiss residents. eTax is operated by Ringler Informatik AG in Baar, Switzerland, and files Swiss cantonal returns. TurboTax is a US product from Intuit Inc.
The etax.ch pricing section lists CHF 0.- per year for taxpayers, covering the complete return, check assistant, online submission and support.
eTax states that data is encrypted and stored at Everyware AG in Switzerland in an ISO 27001 certified data centre.