Taxation in Italy is levied by the central and regional governments and is collected by the Italian Agency of Revenue (Agenzia delle Entrate). Total tax revenue in 2018 was 42.4% of GDP. [1] The main earnings are income tax, social security, corporate tax and value added tax. All of these are collected at national level, but some differ across regions. Personal income taxation in Italy is progressive.
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Employment income is subject to a progressive income tax, IRPEF (Imposta sul reddito delle persone fisiche) applying to all workers. The government sets the tax rate according to income, but the regions can add an additional 0.7 percent to 3.33 percent. In addition to the regional income tax, a municipal income tax can be levied which ranges from 0.1 percent to 0.9 percent. Municipalities can also establish progressive tax rates applicable to the national income bracket. [2]
In 2022, the personal income tax rates were as follows:
Income range | Tax rate [3] |
---|---|
€0 – €15,000 | 23% |
€15,000 – €28,000 | 25% |
€28,000 – €50,000 | 35% |
over €50,000 | 43% |
Individuals are considered resident for tax purposes if for the greater part of the tax year they satisfy any of the following conditions:
Due to the different types of income, exemption from IRPEF is determined at:
The area exempt from IRPEF increases further if there are dependent family members.
New residents of Italy are subject to a more favourable tax treatment on income taxes, providing they were not a tax resident of Italy in the past 24 months. [4] Any taxpayer is entitled to a 70 percent exemption on the employment or self-employment income received for the first five years of tax residency to Italy; the exemption is increased to 90 percent if the taxpayer resides in a Southern region of Italy. The regime is extended for a further five years if the taxpayer meets any of the following conditions:
Italian corporate entities are subject to Corporate Income Tax, IRES (Imposta sul reddito delle società) and to Regional Production Tax, IRAP (Imposta regionale sulle attività produttive). Italy has one of the highest rates of corporate tax – currently at 24 percent. Across the EU28, the average tax is 21.3 percent (2018). [5]
Value added tax or VAT, (in Italian Imposta sul valore aggiunto, or IVA) is a consumption tax charged at a standard rate of 22 percent, which came in on 1 July 2013 (previously 21 percent).
The first reduced VAT rate (10 percent) applies to water supplies, passenger transport, admission to cultural and sports events, hotels, restaurants and some foodstuff. The second reduced VAT rate (5 percent) applies to some foodstuff and social services. The super-reduced VAT rate (4 percent) applies to TV licenses, newspapers, periodicals, books and medical equipment for the disabled. A zero VAT rate (0 percent) applies to intra-community and international transport.
The filing deadline for VAT returns is 30 April of the next year. [7]
Social security contributions apply to everyone in the workforce, divided into contributions by the employer and those by the employee; both sides are obliged to participate. Employers must register with the Italian Social Security Administration (Istituto Nazionale Previdenza Sociale or INPS). The total contribution rate fluctuates around 40 percent of the employee's wage, depending on their position in the company, on the number of employees in the company, and on the industrial sector of the company. Usually the contributions are apportioned as follows: [8]
However, only 33 percent out of this 40 percent is used for INPS purposes; the rest is distributed into several other funds:
The social security contribution, for employees who registered with INPS after 1 January 1996 without a previous social security position in Italy, is calculated and paid up to a maximum amount of €101,427 for the year 2018.
Social contributions due from commercial executives:
Social contributions due from industrial executives:
For self-employed individuals who are not VAT number holders and are not covered by a compulsory private pension fund is instituted law 335/95, and according to this individuals must register with INPS in a "separate social security regime". This system is provided for three different rates.
All percentages equals to maximal limit of €101,427 established by law in 2017.
The Italian wealth tax on real estate properties (Imposta sul valore degli immobile situati all'estero or IVIE) owned outside of Italy by an individual who qualifies as a resident for Italian tax purposes has been introduced in Italy. The wealth tax due is proportionate to the percentage owned and the size of the property. The applicable tax rate is equal to 0.76 percent. No IVIE is due if the tax is lower than €200; otherwise, the entire IVIE amount is due.
The Italian wealth tax on financial investments (Imposta sul valore delle Attivita Finanziarie detenute all` Estero or IVAFE) owned outside of Italy by an individual who qualifies as a resident for Italian tax purposes has been introduced in Italy. The wealth tax due is proportionate to the percentage owned and the size of the property. The applicable tax rate is equal to 0.2 percent for the year 2018. [10] Only for bank accounts, the above-mentioned tax is a flat amount equal to €34.20 for each bank account. This flat amount is not due if the average saving amount is lower than €5,000, taking into consideration all the bank accounts owned by the taxpayer.
A tax on inheritance and donations was reintroduced in October 2006 after a five-year period during which this tax was abolished. The percentage and exemption limits applicable to transfers of money or assets depend on the beneficiary's relation with the deceased person or donor.
Shares and government bonds received as an inheritance are not taxed.
Specific provisions apply to a handicapped person. [11]
The regional tax on productivity (IRAP) is applied at a flat rate up to 3.9 percent. This flat rate is applicable to the productive activity exercised. The taxable base is the difference between the compensation received and the direct business expenses, excluding any cost of personnel and interest.
The Italian Financial Bill for the year 2014 introduced relevant changes to the municipal tax on real estate owned in Italy. The tax law introduced a 'unique municipal tax' (Imposta municipale unica or IUC).
IUC is composed of three different taxes:
Italy has the largest number of "major tax evaders" in Europe, according to the estimated figures, [12] tax evasion amounting to over €180 billion. Evasion is sometimes seen by evaders as the best way to ensure the right of defense from the alleged excessive tax claim of the State. [13]
In the United Kingdom, taxation may involve payments to at least three different levels of government: central government, devolved governments and local government. Central government revenues come primarily from income tax, National Insurance contributions, value added tax, corporation tax and fuel duty. Local government revenues come primarily from grants from central government funds, business rates in England, Council Tax and increasingly from fees and charges such as those for on-street parking. In the fiscal year 2014–15, total government revenue was forecast to be £648 billion, or 37.7 per cent of GDP, with net taxes and National Insurance contributions standing at £606 billion.
Taxation in Ireland in 2017 came from Personal Income taxes, and Consumption taxes, being VAT and Excise and Customs duties. Corporation taxes represents most of the balance, but Ireland's Corporate Tax System (CT) is a central part of Ireland's economic model. Ireland summarises its taxation policy using the OECD's Hierarchy of Taxes pyramid, which emphasises high corporate tax rates as the most harmful types of taxes where economic growth is the objective. The balance of Ireland's taxes are Property taxes and Capital taxes.
In France, taxation is determined by the yearly budget vote by the French Parliament, which determines which kinds of taxes can be levied and which rates can be applied.
Taxation in the Netherlands is defined by the income tax, the wage withholding tax, the value added tax and the corporate tax.
The tax system of the Russian Federation is a complex of relationships between fiscal authorities and taxpayers in the field of all existing taxes and fees. It implies continuous communication of all its members and related objects: payers; legislative framework; oversight authorities; types of mandatory payments. The Russian Tax Code is the primary tax law for the Russian Federation. The Code was created, adopted and implemented in three stages.
Taxation represents the biggest source of revenues for the Peruvian government. For 2016, the projected amount of taxation revenues was S/.94.6 billion. There are four taxes that make up approximately 90 percent of the taxation revenues:
Taxation in Greece is based on the direct and indirect systems. The total tax revenue in 2017 was €47.56 billion from which €20.62 billion came from direct taxes and €26.94 billion from indirect taxes. The total tax revenue represented 39.4% of GDP in 2017. Taxes in Greece are collected by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue.
The Italian welfare state is based partly upon the corporatist-conservative model and partly upon the universal welfare model.
Taxes in Switzerland are levied by the Swiss Confederation, the cantons and the municipalities.
Taxation in Norway is levied by the central government, the county municipality and the municipality. In 2012 the total tax revenue was 42.2% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Many direct and indirect taxes exist. The most important taxes – in terms of revenue – are VAT, income tax in the petroleum sector, employers' social security contributions and tax on "ordinary income" for persons. Most direct taxes are collected by the Norwegian Tax Administration and most indirect taxes are collected by the Norwegian Customs and Excise Authorities.
Taxes in Germany are levied at various government levels: the federal government, the 16 states (Länder), and numerous municipalities (Städte/Gemeinden). The structured tax system has evolved significantly, since the reunification of Germany in 1990 and the integration within the European Union, which has influenced tax policies. Today, income tax and Value-Added Tax (VAT) are the primary sources of tax revenue. These taxes reflect Germany's commitment to a balanced approach between direct and indirect taxation, essential for funding extensive social welfare programs and public infrastructure. The modern German tax system accentuate on fairness and efficiency, adapting to global economic trends and domestic fiscal needs.
Taxation may involve payments to a minimum of two different levels of government: central government through SARS or to local government. Prior to 2001 the South African tax system was "source-based", where in income is taxed in the country where it originates. Since January 2001, the tax system was changed to "residence-based" wherein taxpayers residing in South Africa are taxed on their income irrespective of its source. Non residents are only subject to domestic taxes.
Taxes in Spain are levied by national (central), regional and local governments. Tax revenue in Spain stood at 36.3% of GDP in 2013. A wide range of taxes are levied on different sources, the most important ones being income tax, social security contributions, corporate tax, value added tax; some of them are applied at national level and others at national and regional levels. Most national and regional taxes are collected by the Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria which is the bureau responsible for collecting taxes at the national level. Other minor taxes like property transfer tax (regional), real estate property tax (local), road tax (local) are collected directly by regional or local administrations. Four historical territories or foral provinces collect all national and regional taxes themselves and subsequently transfer the portion due to the central Government after two negotiations called Concierto and the Convenio. The tax year in Spain follows the calendar year. The tax collection method depends on the tax; some of them are collected by self-assessment, but others follow a system of pay-as-you-earn tax with monthly withholdings that follow a self-assessment at the end of the term.
Taxation in Estonia consists of state and local taxes. A relatively high proportion of government revenue comes from consumption taxes whilst revenue from capital taxes is one of the lowest in the European Union.
In Slovakia, taxes are levied by the state and local governments. Tax revenue stood at 19.3% of the country's gross domestic product in 2021. The tax-to-GDP ratio in Slovakia deviates from OECD average of 34.0% by 0.8 percent and in 2022 was 34.8% which ranks Slovakia 19th in the tax-to-GDP ratio comparison among the OECD countries. The most important revenue sources for the state government are income tax, social security, value-added tax and corporate tax.
The tax system of the Czech Republic is similar in its main features to the systems of developed and especially European countries.
Taxes in Lithuania are levied by the central and the local governments. Most important revenue sources include the value added tax, personal income tax, excise tax and corporate income tax, which are all applied on the central level. In addition, social security contributions are collected in a social security fund, outside the national budget. Taxes in Lithuania are administered by the State Tax Inspectorate, the Customs Department and the State Social Insurance Fund Board. In 2019, the total government revenue in Lithuania was 30.3% of GDP.
Taxes in Croatia are levied by both the central and the regional governments. Tax revenue in Croatia stood at 37.8% of GDP in 2017. The most important revenue sources are income taxes, social security contributions, corporate tax and the value added tax, which are all applied on the national level.
The organization responsible for tax policy in Ukraine is the State Fiscal Service, operating under the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. Taxation is legally regulated by the Taxation Code of Ukraine. The calendar year serves as a fiscal year in Ukraine. The most important sources of tax revenue in Ukraine are unified social security contributions, value added tax, individual income tax. In 2017 taxes collected formed 23% of GDP at ₴969.654 billion.
Tax revenue in Luxembourg was 38.65% of GDP in 2017, which is just above the average OECD in 2017.