Taxation in Italy: how it works
In this article is provided a short overview about Doing business in Italy, concerning information about italian taxation system.
If your are interested in to move in Italy please feel free to consult also the section Italian taxation F.A.Q.
Also you can join to the facebook group ABOUT LIVING IN ITALY
TAXATION IN ITALY: HOW IT WORKS
Subjects resident in Italy for tax purposes are taxed on the basis of the world wide principle. This means that income earned throughout the world will be taxed in Italy.
Non-tax residents will only be taxed for income earned in Italy.
The main taxes are:
Personal Income Tax:
IRES: taxes on legal persons (currently is to 24%)
IRAP: regional tax on productive activities (around 3,9% but it differs by regions)
There is also a municipal tax of 0.01% – 0.9% (addizionali IRPEF). Each region and municipality is free to set its own rate within the range set out in national law.
Take into account:
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tax allowances (available to all taxpayers)
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any deductions you are entitled to for certain types of expenditure.
When and how do you pay?
Your employer deducts income tax and social-security contributions from your salary. If you have no other source of income, you do not have to file an annual return. If you wish to do so, you should do it online by 30 September.
In some exceptional cases, annual returns in paper format are still possible; these should be filed between 2 May and 30 June.
Income tax should be paid by 30 June. It is possible to pay in the course of the following month, i.e. by 31 July – however, a surcharge of 0.40% would then apply.
INDIVDUAL ENTREPRENEUR
The individual company is the simplest way to start an economic activity, if there is only one entrepreneur physical person. This legal form provides unlimited liability for the obligations
To start a business it is necessary to possess the requisites required by law, in particular for many activities professional requisites and the requirement of integrity are required
The start-up of the activity takes place with the presentation of the start of activity report (SCIA) at the municipality where the company is resident.
It will be necessary to register the company in the business register, and register the entrepreneur for public social security (INPS)
TAXATION IN ITALY: PARTNERSHIP
Partnership must proceed with the drafting of a statute through the intervention of a notary. The company will be registered in the business register.
Also in this case the members who want to start a business must possess the requisites required by law based on the activity carried out, in particular those of professionalism and that of respectability.
The notification of the start of activity (SCIA) must be presented to the municipality where the partnership has its registered office.
The working members will have to register with the public social security (INPS)
Members have unlimited liability for social obligations. However, it is possible to set up a limited partnership, which includes two categories of shareholders: general partners who are unlimitedly liable for social obligations, and limited partners who are limited in their responsibility.
The taxation of profits is carried out directly by the shareholders and not by the partners
LIMITED COMPANY
Limited liability companies can be of three types: SRL, SPA, and SAPA. The srl is the simplest type suitable for small businesses.
Taxation of limited liability companies is currently 24%.
The constitution of a limited liability company takes place through the drafting of a statute in the presence of a notary, and the payment of a minimum capital of € 10,000. There are limited liability companies that provide for the payment of a capital of less than € 10,000, however special requirements are set.
Also in this case the members who want to start a business must possess the requisites required by law based on the activity carried out, in particular those of professionalism and that of respectability.
Notification of the start of activity (SCIA) must be presented to the municipality where the partnership has its registered office.
The working members will have to register with the public social security (INPS)
Members have unlimited liability for social obligations. However, it is possible to set up a limited partnership, which includes two categories of shareholders: general partners who are unlimitedly liable for social obligations, and limited partners who are limited in their responsibility.
Limited company have to deposit for each year of activity the yearly financial statement made according with italian accountancy priciples.
INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL (freelancing)
Income deriving from professional activity is taxed on the basis of IRPEF progressivity.
Every professional must be enrolled in a social security scheme, which varies according to the profession, as it may be public or private social security.
For resident professionals there is a facilitating regime, through which the tax base is calculated as a flat rate.
TAXATION IN ITALY FOR NO RESIDENT SCHUMACKER
The DM 21.9.2015 implements the art. 24 co. 3-bis of the TUIR (introduced by Article 7 of Law 161/2014), based on which, if the non-resident person portrays at least 75% of the total income produced in Italy and does not enjoy any benefits in the State of residence similar taxes, the taxable amount is determined “on the basis of the provisions contained in articles 1 to 23” of the TUIR (that is, again limited to the incomes considered to be produced in Italy pursuant to Article 23, but benefiting from the same deductible charges and deductible and of the same exclusions provided for residents).
As of 2014, these individuals (defined as non-resident “Schumacker”) remain non-residents for tax purposes (the fact of having produced in Italy at least 75% of the income does not, in fact, acquire them the status of residents); the tax benefits, on the other hand, are represented by the possibility of benefiting from reductions and benefits otherwise not due to non-residents.
The typical case is that of subjects who, working in Italy but living and maintaining their family abroad, remain non-residents based on the Conventions against double taxation (having a permanent home and / or the center of interests abroad) vital), while portraying most of its proceeds from the activity carried out in Italy.
ITALIAN TAXATION: SPECIAL TAX REGIME FOR SMALL TAX PAYERS
Forfettario Regime find out more
The parties that adhere to the regime determine the taxable income by applying to the amount of revenue received the coefficient of profitability diversified according to the ATECO code that distinguishes the activity exercised. Once the taxable income has been determined, the flat-rate tax payer applies a single tax, to the extent of 5%, replacing income taxes, regional and municipal surcharges and IRAP.
In the case of family businesses, the substitute tax, applied to income gross of the fees owed by the holder to the spouse and his family members, is payable by the entrepreneur. Compulsory social security contributions, including those paid on behalf of the employees of the family business fiscally dependent, or, if not fiscally dependent, if the owner has not exercised the right of compensation on the same collaborators, are deducted from the income determined lump-sum; any surplus is deductible from the total income. The determined income also applies for the purpose of recognizing the deductions for family loads, while it is not taken into consideration to determine the further deduction due according to the type of income
The revenus ceiling for apply “forfettario regime” from 2019 is 65.000 per year.
EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR ENTREPRENEUR
Many regions use European funds to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation at the local level.
The funds granted to companies can be of different types, in particular:
Non-refundable contributions: which must not be reimbursed;
Contribution for interests cost: they cover the cost of the interest incurred by the company for the loans received, in this way company can have loans without any cost;
Contribution for operating expenses: they cover operating costs incurred by the company.
In addition, there are some tax breaks related to research and development costs. The tax braks are measures taken by national level.
If you need a full assistance with italian taxation system you can send an email to: marino@consulenzamarino.it or you can consult the page concerning the Tax services in Italy for Expats
- When to pay taxes in Italy - 6 Febbraio 2024
- Quando pagare le imposte? - 6 Febbraio 2024
- Tax Residence in Italy - 20 Gennaio 2024
