Italy doubles flat tax for wealthy foreigners
Italy's government said on Wednesday it would double a flat tax on foreign income for high earners newly moved from abroad from €100,000 to €200,000 a year, AFP reported.
Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Wednesday that 1,186 wealthy individuals had transferred their residency to Italy for tax purposes since 2017, when the scheme was introduced, but it was "very difficult to evaluate" how much they had invested in the country.
READ ALSO: Italy doubles flat tax for super-rich foreign residents
Giorgetti said the new rate – which a ministry spokesperson confirmed would only apply to new arrivals – was still attractive but noted that it was important that countries did not seek to compete to offer the lowest rates for high-worth individuals and companies.
"We are against starting a competition because countries like Italy, which have very limited fiscal space, are destined to lose," he said.
The original tax rate, levied for a maximum of 15 years in lieu of other taxes, was introduced in 2017 in a bid to lure wealthy people from overseas.
Italians in UK urged to ‘avoid gatherings’ amid riots
Italy’s Consulate General in the UK on Wednesday urged Italians in the country to “avoid gatherings” amid riots following a knife attack in the seaside town of Southport, Northern England, on Monday, July 29th.
“In light of the unrest and protests, also violent, occurring in some areas of Northern England and Northern Ireland, Italian nationals are advised to avoid gatherings and the most high-risk areas,” the Consulate said.
It also advised Italian nationals to “keep updated, also by consulting any warnings issued by local law enforcement authorities”.
Over 400 people have been arrested so far in connection with disorders around the UK after three girls aged between six and nine were killed in a knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, last week.
Protests have been reported as being fuelled by racial hatred stemming from unfounded speculation that the perpetrator was a Muslim immigrant, with multiple attacks targeting asylum seekers and mosques.
British tourist vandalises Pompeii house
A 37-year-old British tourist could be charged with damage of artistic heritage after he carved the date 07/08/24 and the initials of his name and that of his daughters on the wall of the House of the Vestals, in the Pompeii archeological park, on Wednesday, media reports said.
Pompeii security staff were responsible for reporting the man to local police authorities, who then proceeded to question him and file the case with the public prosecutor’s office in Torre Annunziata, Campania.
Reports of international visitors damaging ancient monuments are far from rare in Italy, especially during peak holiday season.
Under Italian laws, anyone found guilty of causing damage to a site of historical, cultural or artistic interest faces a fine ranging from €15,000 to €60,000.
State-run museums to open on Ferragosto holiday
Italy's state-run museums, galleries and archaeological sites were set to remain open on the Ferragosto national holiday, falling on Thursday, August 15th, the culture ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement added that state-run cultural sites would open “according to their normal opening hours,” with visits taking place “according to the guidelines set by individual sites, including advance booking where necessary”.
Major attractions set to open on Ferragosto included Naples’ Reggia di Caserta, Rome’s Pantheon and the Pompeii archaeological site.
The ministry advised visitors to consult its website for further details, including a full list of sites slated to open on Ferragosto.
Comments