Italian 2026 Finance Law – Key Tax Measures: Reduced Tax Rate for Middle Incomes | Flat-tax/HNWI“new-resident” regime adjustments (for high net-worth individuals) | Incentives / “flat tax” regimes for employment income| Continued incentives for investments and capital goods (businesses) | Tax-collection and “fiscal-relief” measures: debt-collection amortization, freeze for property-transfer taxes | Tax treatment of dividends, capital gains, and financial income | Sectors/Special Taxes: financial intermediaries, “windfall” taxes, bank levy
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Electronic Invoicing

Mandatory E-invoicing Electronic-invoicing is mandatory for almost all B2B (Business to Business) and B2C (Business to Consumer) transactions made by an Italian VAT registered business. The Italian system has been in force since 1 January 2019 (after it became compulsory for invoices to public administrations in 2014–2015). Every invoice must be created in the official […]

Table of Corporate Income Tax and IRAP Rates

Historical Italian Corporate Income Tax (IRES) and Regional Tax (IRAP) Rates Period IRES Rate (Standard) IRAP Rate (Standard) Notes Pre-2004 IRPEG (predecessor): 36-37% N/A IRPEG replaced by IRES in 2004 2004–2007 33% N/A (introduced later) Initial IRES rate 2008–2016 27.5% 4.25% (1998–2007)3.9% (from 2008/2009) IRAP standard rate reduced in 2008; higher for banks (e.g., 4.65-5.5%) […]

Employment

8.1 Employment Contracts Italian employment contracts must comply with national labor laws and collective bargaining agreements (CCNL). Contracts may be: Permanent (tempo indeterminato) – Default form with full protections Fixed-term (tempo determinato) – Allowed for specific projects or seasonal work Apprenticeship (apprendistato) – Combines training with employment Freelance/Consultant (collaborazione) – Used for independent contractors Contracts […]

Legal Background

1.1 Key Legal Sources Italy’s business law is rooted in the Civil Code (Codice Civile), which governs contracts, companies, and obligations. Supplementary laws include Legislative Decree No. 58/1998 (TUF) for financial markets, and EU regulations that apply directly or via transposition. The establishment and operation of enterprises in Italy are primarily governed by: Codice Civile […]

Business Structures

2.1 Overview This blog post is intended to provide a high level overview of the types of business structures available to investors in a business to be carried on in Italy and applies primarily to the situation where the investors are  individuals  – separate and different considerations may apply where the investor is a corporate […]

Shareholders and Members

3.1 Rights and Obligations Shareholders in Italian companies enjoy rights based on their share class and the company’s bylaws. Core rights include: Voting on key resolutions (e.g., mergers, capital changes) Receiving dividends and liquidation proceeds Inspecting financial statements and minutes Calling meetings (if holding ≥10% of capital) Obligations include contributing capital, respecting confidentiality, and complying […]

Conducting Business

5.1 Registered Office and Local Presence All Italian companies must maintain a registered office (sede legale), which is listed in the Companies Register. This address is used for legal notices and tax correspondence. While virtual offices are permitted, physical presence may be required for certain licenses or inspections. 5.2 Business Licenses and Sectoral Approvals Italy […]

Tips and Traps

15.1 Common Pitfalls Foreign investors often encounter challenges due to unfamiliarity with Italian bureaucracy and legal nuances. Common traps include: Underestimating incorporation timelines and documentation Failing to comply with local labor laws and collective agreements Ignoring VAT registration and electronic invoicing requirements Using generic contracts without Italian legal review Early legal and accounting advice can […]

Trends and Predictions

14.1 Digital Transformation Italian businesses are increasingly adopting digital tools, including e-invoicing, cloud accounting, and remote collaboration platforms. Government incentives such as the “Piano Nazionale Transizione 4.0” support investment in digital infrastructure and innovation. 14.2 ESG and Sustainability Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are gaining traction among investors and regulators. Companies are expected to […]

Termination of Activities

13.1 Voluntary Liquidation Companies may choose to wind up operations through voluntary liquidation. This requires: Shareholder resolution to dissolve the company Appointment of a liquidator (liquidatore) Notification to the Companies Register Settlement of debts and distribution of remaining assets The process must comply with Civil Code provisions and may take several months depending on complexity. […]