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Taxes In Italy
Considering a move to Italy? one of the first items on your agenda should be to familiarize yourself with the Italian taxes system you’ll face as an expat.
Whether you plan to work, retire or operate a business in Italy, taxes in Italy compared to US taxes have some important differences.
We’ll try to cover the basics of the Italian tax system and the most important taxes that you’ll need to be aware of as an expat living in the country.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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Your tax situation in Italy will depend on your residency status in the country.
For those who only work in Italy and do not spend the entire year there, the state assesses taxes only on that income that is earned inside Italy.
On the other hand, if you live in the country for more than 183 days in the year and own a business centered on Italy, you will need to pay Italian taxes on your entire worldwide income.
The IRS requires all Americans who earn more than $10,000 to file a tax return, regardless of where in the world they live and work.
In Italy income tax is known by its Italian acronym IRPEF. This individual tax will be the main tax most foreign residents of Italy will have to pay. For large incomes, the IRPEF can reach to almost 50 percent. The Italy tax rate structure is as follows:
Different regional and local authorities will also asses income taxes, which can range from 0.1 to 1.4 percent.
If you own property in Italy, you will have to pay taxes on it. Rates range from 0.4 to 0.7 percent of the property’s assess value. This is determined according to a number of factors, including the category, location and condition of the property.
Expats who have traveled to Italy in the past will likely already be familiar with this tax, the VAT or IVA. The national government sets this tax in Italy, so it is the same in all regions. The current rate is 20%, and the VAT is already factored in to bills and prices for goods.
Inheritance tax rates vary depending on the relationship between the donor and beneficiary.
For spouses or relatives in a direct line, it’s 4% on the value of assets exceeding 1 million euros ($1,055,190); for siblings, it’s 6% on the value of assets exceeding 100,000 euros ($105,500).
Capital gains taxes vary depending on the type of gain. For the sale of real estate, the gain is taxed at progressive rates or at a flat tax of 26%. And, if the home is a principal residence or was owned for more than five years, its sale is exempt from capital gains tax.
If you’re obliged to pay taxes on your Italian income, you’ll need to file an annual return. For many employees, your employer will often file for you. However, the self-employed or those with other taxable income will have to file for themselves.
Extensions are usually not possible and penalties for late payment can be very severe, especially after the first 30 days. If you’re owed a tax refund Italy may take as long as a year to send it.
A number of exemptions are available to Italian taxpayers. These include contributions to charity, alimony, medical expenses, interest on real estate loans, tuition expenses and more.
For American expats in Italy, there are also a number of other options, including the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit. To take advantage of these options you must also file in the United States, even if you weren’t otherwise required to do so.
Regional income tax ranges from 1.23% to 3.33% depending on which region you live in. Municipal income ranges from 0% to 0.9% (according to municipality).
Italy made changes to its property tax laws with the Italian Budget Law 2020. Now, the basic rate for a principal residence is 0.5%, but the municipality may increase or decrease this.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll send you a FREE report on the 12 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2026
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