More Italians are dodging tax: police
There were more than 12,000 tax evaders in Italy reported last year, a rise from 2012, figures released on Thursday by the financial police show.
A total of 12,726 people were found to be dodging their taxes in 2013, compared to 11,769 reported for suspected tax evasion in 2012.
The number of people paying absolutely no tax has, however, gone down. Investigators said 8,315 people paid no taxes at all last year, owing €16.1 billion, compared to 8,617 in 2012, who ran up a collective tax bill of €22.7 billion.
In addition the state coffers were bled of €20.7 billion in other forms of tax evasion, up from €16.3 billion in 2012.
The 2013 figures show that working “in the black” continues to be a problem in Italy, with 14,220 people being paid entirely under the table.
SEE ALSO: Italy is the worst in Europe for tax collection
Despite the high number of reported crimes, Italy is the worst country in Europe for applying rules against tax evasion and meeting EU requirements. A European Commission report said in October that Italy had 99 infringement procedures open against it, followed by Belgium with 92 and 91 in Spain.
VAT tax evasion alone cost Italy €36.1 billion a year, the European Commission estimated in a separate study.
READ MORE: Italians are Europe’s worst tax-dodgers
Financial crimes reach even the seat of government, with three-time prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in August being found guilty of tax evasion and subsequently thrown out of the Senate.
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A total of 12,726 people were found to be dodging their taxes in 2013, compared to 11,769 reported for suspected tax evasion in 2012.
The number of people paying absolutely no tax has, however, gone down. Investigators said 8,315 people paid no taxes at all last year, owing €16.1 billion, compared to 8,617 in 2012, who ran up a collective tax bill of €22.7 billion.
In addition the state coffers were bled of €20.7 billion in other forms of tax evasion, up from €16.3 billion in 2012.
The 2013 figures show that working “in the black” continues to be a problem in Italy, with 14,220 people being paid entirely under the table.
SEE ALSO: Italy is the worst in Europe for tax collection
Despite the high number of reported crimes, Italy is the worst country in Europe for applying rules against tax evasion and meeting EU requirements. A European Commission report said in October that Italy had 99 infringement procedures open against it, followed by Belgium with 92 and 91 in Spain.
VAT tax evasion alone cost Italy €36.1 billion a year, the European Commission estimated in a separate study.
READ MORE: Italians are Europe’s worst tax-dodgers
Financial crimes reach even the seat of government, with three-time prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in August being found guilty of tax evasion and subsequently thrown out of the Senate.
Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
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