How accurate is the saving?

The federal share is exact. The cantonal share is an approximation via the capital city, and the deviation for other municipalities can be noticeable.

My canton is missing from the list.

Only the eight largest cantons are available so far. The rest will follow and are marked as data to follow in the dropdown.

Tax savings with pillar 3a

The calculator estimates how much income tax a planned pillar 3a contribution saves.

You enter the planned contribution, your taxable income and your canton. Marital status, denomination and your municipal tax multiplier refine the result.

The result shows the total saving, split into federal, canton plus municipality and church, along with the net cost of the contribution.

Planned pillar 3a contribution

With a pension fund, at most CHF 7,258 is deductible in 2026. Without one, 20 percent of earned income, up to CHF 36,288.

Taxable income per year

The figure from your last tax return, after all deductions.

I am a member of a pension fund

This sets the maximum deductible pillar 3a amount.

Canton

Marital status

Religious denomination

Tax multiplier of your municipality

As a percentage, the way your municipality states it (example Illnau-Effretikon: 113). You will find your municipality's rate on its website or the cantonal tax administration. The cantonal capital's rate is preselected.

Result

Total tax saving

CHF 1'906.47

Federal direct tax share: CHF 481.80
Cantonal and municipal share: CHF 1'424.67
Church tax share: CHF 0.00
Net cost of the contribution: CHF 5'351.53
Saving per franc contributed: 26.3%

A separate lump-sum withdrawal tax applies when the money is paid out later. It is not included here.

What this calculator does not cover

The result is a rough estimate, not a binding calculation. For the exact figure, the official statement is what counts.

Canton and municipality are approximated via the cantonal capital. For other municipalities only the municipal tax multiplier you enter applies, and the deviation can be noticeable.
Eight cantons are currently available (ZH, BE, LU, AG, SG, VD, GE, TI). The others will follow.
Taxable income is taken as given. The calculator does not subtract any further deductions.
Church tax is a flat surcharge, not a real tax-multiplier calculation.

Exact figure: the ESTV cantonal tax calculator

How it is calculated

The saving is the difference between the tax on your income and the tax on your income after the pillar 3a contribution is deducted.

The federal direct tax is calculated exactly with the 2026 tariff, separately for the single and the married tariff.

Canton and municipality are approximated with a curve for the respective cantonal capital. Eight cantons are currently available: ZH, BE, LU, AG, SG, VD, GE and TI.

Church tax is estimated as a percentage surcharge. The later lump-sum withdrawal tax is not included.

Estimate, not tax or pension advice.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is the saving?: The federal share is exact. The cantonal share is an approximation via the capital city, and the deviation for other municipalities can be noticeable.
Why is my contribution capped?: With a pension fund, at most CHF 7,258 is deductible in 2026; without one, 20 percent of earned income up to CHF 36,288. Higher inputs are capped at the maximum.
My canton is missing from the list.: Only the eight largest cantons are available so far. The rest will follow and are marked as data to follow in the dropdown.