Tax Treaties: United States And Italy

Tax Treaties: United States And Italy

Quick Summary.  Located on Southern Europe and bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Italy is a parliamentary republic with 20 administrative regions and a capital at Rome.

In 2020, Italy introduced a new digital service tax.  In addition, other recent measures include replacement of its hyper and super tax depreciation regimes with a tax credit regime, a corporate equity deduction, and certain step-up provisions for business assets.

Italian corporations are subject to a corporate income tax (imposta sul reddito sulle società) and a regional production tax (mposta regionale sulle attività produttive).  Individuals are subject to income tax (mposta sui redditi delle personne fisiche).

Italy is a member of the European Economic Community (EEC) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Treaty.

Currency.  Euro (EUR)

Common Legal Entities.  Joint stock company (SpA), limited liability company (SrL) and branches.

Tax Authorities.  Ministry of Finance, Tax Income Agency (Agenzia delle entrate)

Tax Treaties. Italy is signatory to more than 100 tax treaties.  

Corporate Income Tax Rate.  

24% general + regional tax on productive activities (3.9% usually)

Banks and other financial institutions, brokerage companies – 27.5%

Non- operating entities – 34.5%

Individual Tax Rate. 

Up to 15,000 – 23%

15,001 to 28,000 – 27%

28,001 to 55,000 – 38%

55,001 to 75,000 – 41%

Over 75,000 – 43%

Corporate Capital Gains Tax Rate. 

24% usually; plus regional tax; 95% exempt under certain conditions (sale of participations)

Individual Capital Gains Tax Rate. 26%

Residence.  

Individual. Registered in the Office of Records of the Resident Population for 183 days or more; Stays in the territory of the state for 183 days or more; Individual’s center or business or economic interests in Italy for 183 days or more.

Withholding Tax.

            Dividends. 

                        Corporate Resident – 0%; nonresident – 1.2%; 26%

                        Individual Resident – 26%; nonresident – 26%

            Interest. 

                        Corporate Resident – 0%; nonresident – 0%; 12.5%; 26%

                        Individual Resident – 12.5%; 26%; nonresident – 12.5%; 26%

            Royalties. 

                        Corporate Resident – 0%; nonresident – 22.5% (30% rate on 75% gross)

                        Individual Resident – 0%; nonresident – 22.5% (30% rate on 75% gross)

            Commissions. 

                        Corporate Resident – 0%; nonresident – 0%; 30%

                        Individual Resident – 0%; nonresident – 30%

Transfer Pricing. 

Generally follow OECD guidelines.  

CFC Rules.

Profits of nonresident entity are attributed to an Italian resident where resident directly or indirectly controls the nonresident

Hybrid Treatment. 

            In line with EU anti-tax avoidance directive (ATAD) apply as from FY 2022.

Inheritance/estate tax.  4%; 6% or 8% depending on relationship with the deceased and the beneficiaries. Exemptions up to EUR 1 million may apply for bequests to close relatives.

Have a question? Contact Jason Freeman, Freeman Law, Texas.

Mr. Freeman is the founding and managing member of Freeman Law, PLLC. He is a dual-credentialed attorney-CPA, author, law professor, and trial attorney. Mr. Freeman has been recognized multiple times by D Magazine, a D Magazine Partner service, as one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas, and as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service.
He was honored by the American Bar Association, receiving its “On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers” in America award, and recognized as a Top 100 Up-And-Coming Attorney in Texas. He was also named the “Leading Tax Controversy Litigation Attorney of the Year” for the State of Texas” by AI.

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