Whether you're planning to pass on assets to the next generation or establish a meaningful philanthropic initiative, we offer comprehensive, tailor-made solutions to help you shape your legacy.

Our clients, especially private individuals and entrepreneurs, often navigate complex international situations, requiring coordinated succession and wealth planning across jurisdictions.

From drafting wills and inheritance agreements to establishing foundations, trusts and philanthropic ventures or acting as executor, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.

Our holistic approach integrates legal, tax, and strategic considerations to ensure that your personal, financial, and charitable goals are realized with clarity and confidence.

Hugues Salomé

Partner, Head of Private Clients

KPMG Switzerland

mail
call

Philipp Zünd

Partner, Private Clients Tax

KPMG Switzerland

mail
call

Challenges that matter to families and legacies

Tax strategy and efficiency

Navigating gift and inheritance taxes requires careful structuring to minimize burdens across generations.

Limits on tax deductibility, shifting regulations, and valuation disputes can reduce the efficiency of estate planning, especially for large or illiquid estates. Poor tax planning can force asset sales or undermine philanthropic goals.

Governance and control

Maintaining effective oversight of family enterprises or philanthropic entities can clash with tax rules or succession dynamics.

Foundations face strict compliance requirements and donor-advised funds reduce control. Lack of clear governance structures can result in mismanagement, regulatory violations, or disputes among stakeholders and heirs.

Liquidity and asset transfer

Even with substantial wealth, estates may lack the liquidity needed to pay taxes or fulfill bequests.

Asset-heavy portfolios – such as real estate or private businesses – are hard to divide or sell quickly. Philanthropic gifts of such assets can also complicate execution, valuation or timing.

Legal structures and cross-border complexities

Selecting appropriate legal vehicles – such as trusts, foundations or donor-advised funds – is complicated by jurisdictional differences.

International families often face conflicting laws, reporting obligations and double taxation. Without coordinated planning, legal structures can become noncompliant or tax-inefficient, especially when assets and heirs are dispersed across several countries.

Family dynamics and intergenerational alignment

Heirs often have different views on wealth, responsibility and philanthropy.

Without early engagement and planning, conflicts can arise over leadership, inheritance or charitable direction. Unequal involvement, unclear expectations or generational differences in values can lead to legal disputes or the fragmentation of a legacy.

Philanthropy integration and legacy impact

Incorporating philanthropy into succession planning requires clarity of purpose and a long-term strategy.

Misalignment between personal values, tax strategy and family expectations can diminish impact. Without the right structure and buy-in from future generations, charitable efforts may become unsustainable or deviate from the founder’s intentions.

Why KPMG services?

Integrated and personalized planning

We design holistic succession and philanthropic strategies tailored to your unique family, business, and personal goals. Our approach ensures clarity, alignment and long-term success.

Cross-border expertise and risk mitigation

Our international experience helps you avoid double taxation, navigate legal complexities and protect assets across jurisdictions.

End-to-End support with governance and compliance

From drafting legal structures to establishing foundations and trusts to the daily management and regulatory representation, we provide end-to-end support with built-in flexibility.

Trusted guidance with global reach

As your single point of contact, we leverage KPMG’s global insight to anticipate legal, tax and regulatory changes, ensuring that your legacy is set for the future.

Navigating success: How KPMG supports you in succession planning and philanthropy

Our services are designed to provide clarity, continuity, and confidence in both succession planning and philanthropy – whether you're preparing to transfer your assets to the next generation or aiming to create a lasting charitable impact.

Succession planning

Tailored succession strategies

We design succession solutions that reflect your personal, family and business circumstances, always mindful of the dynamics between different stakeholders.
Governance frameworks

Where appropriate, we help establish family and business governance structures that manage conflicting interests and promote long-term harmony and transparency.
Cross-border coordination

When relocating or holding assets across jurisdictions, we assess your existing structures and adapt them to avoid adverse tax outcomes, ensuring alignment with local laws and international tax efficiency.
Ensuring financial continuity

We help your heirs secure access to adequate resources, wherever they are, by structuring asset transfers with foresight and precision.

Philanthropy

Strategic guidance for giving

Whether you're donating directly or establishing a charitable foundation, we guide you in selecting the most effective structure for achieving your philanthropic vision.
Foundation setup and structuring

We support you through every step, from drafting articles of association and internal regulations to setting clear goals and frameworks for impact.
Liaison with authorities

We represent your interests when dealing with tax authorities and regulatory bodies. This includes handling applications for tax exemptions to maximize the impact of your assets for your cause.
Ongoing foundation support

We assist with the day-to-day operations of your foundation to ensure compliance in areas such as governance, sponsorship, and board compensation.
Adaptation and restructuring

As circumstances evolve, we advise you on changes to your foundation, such as amending statutes, merging entities or transferring assets, so that it remains legally sound and future-proof.