FAQ

Advance payment is necessary because social security contributions must be covered before the declaration. This is how the Swiss system works: contributions must be paid before the period in question.

Important: this system guarantees the payment of social security contributions and protects your employee.

This procedure must be carried out at the OCPM (Office cantonal de la population et des migrations), route de Chancy 88, 1213 Onex.  

Numerous associations also provide information and support: 

• The Swiss-Immigrant Contact Center
• Protestant Social Center 
• Support Group for Undocumented Migrants
• EPER

For healthcare: Consultation ambulatoire

Important:

• This procedure is independent of Chèque service

If your employee lives and/or eats at your home, this constitutes “salary in kind” which must be declared. Here are the details:

What counts as salary in kind?

• Accommodation only: $345/month
• Accommodation + food: $990/month

If your employee does not stay with you for the entire month, the calculation is made on a daily basis:

• Accommodation only: 11.50 CHF/day
• Meals (if provided):
• Breakfast: 3.50 CHF
• Lunch: 10.00 CHF
• Dinner: 8.00 CHF
• All three meals: CHF 21.50
• Accommodation + all meals: CHF 33.00/day

Important :

• They are subject to social security contributions.
• This salary in kind is part of the total gross salary.
• They appear on the pay slip.
• These amounts are set by law and must be complied with.
• If your employee is unable to benefit from them (due to vacation, illness, etc.), you must pay these amounts in cash.

Contact Chèque service, who will order a duplicate for you. In the meantime, you can use the health insurance card.

Yes, you can manage withholding tax by registering directly with the Cantonal Tax Administration (AFC), for which you will be responsible for all the necessary steps.

As a result, you will need to declare your net salary before deduction of withholding tax to Chèque service.

Yes, if you are subject to withholding tax, your employer is required to deduct it from your salary.

Important: your employer is simply applying tax law.

No, the Daily Sickness Benefits Insurance (DSBI), i.e. Helsana, only pays daily allowances from the 31st day of illness to compensate for loss of earnings during incapacity for work.

Medical expenses must be submitted to your employee's private health insurance by the employee. These are not covered by the Helsana Daily Sickness Benefits Insurance.

No, your employee is not replaced; it is up to you to hire someone else if necessary.

If you hire a replacement, you must send us a new registration form along with a copy of their Social Security card or valid ID.

Important: The replacement must be declared like any other employee. Do not accept an undeclared replacement!

The process is simple: your employee must contact Chèque service to announce her expected delivery date, and the allowance application form will be sent to her shortly before she gives birth.

The process is simple: contact Chèque service to announce your expected delivery date and the allowance application form will be sent to you shortly before you give birth.

To be eligible for maternity allowance, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must have been insured with the AVS for the 9 months prior to giving birth.
• You must have been gainfully employed for at least 5 months during those 9 months.

Important:

• The duration of leave is 16 weeks (14 federal weeks + 2 cantonal weeks)
• If you return to work before the end of your leave, you will lose your entitlement to the remaining allowances

Chèque service is only available to employers who are tax residents of Geneva. For similar services in other cantons, please visit www.cheques-emploi-suisse.ch. 

Your registration will be validated when you receive official confirmation :

• By mail for paper applications 
• By email for online applications.

Salary declarations and social security contributions are taken into account from the start date of the contract, provided that salaries are declared and contributions are paid. 

Important: To obtain confirmation, first send Chèque Service the completed and signed registration form, along with the required documents.

• a copy of your employee's Social Security card or health insurance card
• valid identity document

For withholding tax (if applicable)

The completed and signed management mandate

A copy of your employee's residence permit

Important: the declaration will only be complete with all the required documents.

It is not mandatory but strongly recommended. A resignation must be made explicitly and leave no room for doubt.

Advantages of the letter

• Confirms the end date of the contract
• Specifies the legal notice period
• Serves as proof in the event of a dispute

How to send it

• In person: have your employer sign a copy
• By mail: preferably send it by registered mail

Important:

• Keep a copy of your letter
• Keep proof of delivery or your signed copy
• Inform Chèque service of your resignation