Taxing Wages 2024

Italy

Abstract

This chapter includes data on the income taxes paid by workers, their social security contributions, the family benefits they receive in the form of cash transfers as well as the social security contributions and payroll taxes paid by their employers. Results reported include the marginal and average tax burden for eight different family types.

Methodological information is available for personal income tax systems, compulsory social security contributions to schemes operated within the government sector, universal cash transfers as well as recent changes in the tax/benefit system. The methodology also includes the parameter values and tax equations underlying the data.

 

 

The national currency is the Euro (EUR). In 2022, EUR 0.96 was equal to USD 1. In that year the average worker earned EUR 33 492 (Secretariat estimate).

1. Personal Income Tax

1.1. Central government income tax

1.1.1. Tax unit

Spouses are taxed separately.

1.1.2. Tax allowances and tax credits

1.1.2.1 Tax allowances

Social security contributions due by law.

1.1.2.2 Tax credits

Italy increased the basic employee tax credit from EUR 1 840 to EUR 1 880 and as from 2014 introduced an additional refundable tax credit of EUR 960 for employees with income between EUR 8 146 and EUR 24 600, with a phase-out for income between EUR 24 600 and EUR 26 600. As from 01/07/2020 the EUR 960 fiscal bonus is not in force and has been replaced by a EUR 1 200 payable tax credit for net income under EUR 28 000, while an additional tax credit was assigned for incomes from EUR 28 000 to EUR 40 000.

As from 2022, Budget Law n. 234/2021 modified the Personal Income Tax (IRPEF). The payable tax credits amount for 2022 is EUR 1 200 for net income under EUR 15 000.1

The payable tax credits amount from 2022 must be estimated as follows:

 

Taxable income (EUR)	Fiscal bonus (EUR)
Up to 8 145	0
From 8 146 to 15 000	1200
More than 15 000	0

• Standard tax credits (not refundable)

The PAYE tax credit is defined as a function of net income:

 

Taxable income (EUR)	PAYE tax credit (EUR)
Lower than 15 000	1 880
From 15 000 to 28 000	Maximum tax credit + 1190*(28 000 – taxable income)/13 000
From 28 001 to 50 000	Maximum tax credit*(50 000 – taxable income)/22 000
More than 50 000	0

The maximum value for the tax credit depends on the level of taxable income:

 

Level of taxable income (EUR)	Maximum tax credit (EUR)
From 8 001 to 14 999	1 880
From 15 000 to 50 000	1 910

An additional maximum credit amount of EUR 65 applies to taxable income from EUR 25 000 up to EUR 35 000.

• Tax credits for family dependents (not refundable)

The tax credits for family dependants, which have replaced the former tax allowances, are as follows:

 

Family tax credit (EUR)*	Amount (EUR)
Spouse	800 decreasing to 0 for net income over 80 000

( * ) Tax credits are granted for family dependents earning less than EUR 2 840.51

The spouse tax credit is calculated as a function of net income:

 

Level of taxable income (EUR)	Amount of tax credit (EUR)
Up to 15 000	800–110*taxable income/15 000
From 15 001 to 29 000	690
From 29 001 to 29 200	700
From 29 201 to 34 700	710
From 34 701 to 35 000	720
From 35 001 to 35 100	710
From 35 101 to 35 200	700
From 35 201 to 40 000	690
From 40 001 to 80 000	690*(80 000–taxable income)/40 000
More than 80 000	0

As from 1/1/2022 the tax credit for children under 21 years old, the previous family allowance, and some minor measures to support households have been replaced by the new family allowance (the ‘Assegno Unico e Universale’), while for children over 21 years old the previous family allowance still applies. Please see section Cash Transfers for details.

1.1.2.3 Main non-standard tax allowances and tax credits

• Other compulsory contributions.

• Periodical benefits allowed to the spouse fixed by judicial authority.

• Charitable donations to certain religious institutions (up to EUR 1 032.91).

• Medical and assistance expenses incurred by handicapped persons.

• Expenses to restore one's own residence at 50% for 2023 of full expenses up to EUR 96 000, apportioned into 10 annual allowances of the same amount.

• Expenses for energy requalification of buildings at 65% for 2023 of full expenses apportioned into 10 annual allowances of the same amount.

• Expenses for the replacement of covers, windows and shutters and for the installation of solar panels (only for hot water production) at 50% of full expenses.

For the following expenses, a tax credit of 19% of each incurred expense is allowed:

• Mortgage loan interest (up to EUR 4 000);

• Most medical expenses that exceed EUR 129.11.

• Payments to insurance funds up to EUR 1 291.14.

• Expenses to attend secondary school and university courses; in case such courses are private, the expenses allowed cannot exceed those foreseen for State courses.

• Expenses for nursery school (up to EUR 632 for each child).

• Rents paid by out-of-town students (up to EUR 2 633).

• Funeral charges up to EUR 1 549.37.

• Expenses for disabled persons.

• Payments to foundations (up to EUR 2 065.83).

• Expenses related to sport activities for children between 5 and 18 years of age (up to EUR 210 per child).

• Personal assistance for non-self-sufficient people if taxable income is under EUR 40 000 (up to EUR 2 100).

• Most veterinary expenses that exceed EUR 129.11 (up to EUR 550).

For the following expenses, a tax credit of 26% of each incurred expense is allowed:

• Donations to political parties (ranging from EUR 30.00 to EUR 30 000.00).

• Donations to non-profit organizations of social utility - ONLUS - (up to EUR 30 000.00).

1.1.3. Tax schedule

As from 2022, Budget Law n. 234/2021 reduced both the number of brackets (from 5 to 4), the number of the tax rates to apply (from 5 to 4) and the central tax rates levels. The following tax schedule is applied to taxable income:

 

Bracket (EUR)	Rate (%)
up to 15 000	23
over 15 000 up to 28 000	25
over 28 000 up to 50 000	35
over 50 000	43

Decree-Law n. 138 of 13th August 2011 introduced the “Contributo di Solidarietà” for the 2011-2013, (extended up to 2016), tax periods, that is a 3% “solidarity contribution” on the portion of income higher than EUR 300 000 (the amount paid is deductible from PIT base)”. As from 2017 the “Contributo di solidarietà” measure is not in force.

1.2. State and local taxes

These surcharges are due only by taxpayers who pay the PIT (personal income tax).

Regional surcharge tax

This surcharge tax has been introduced in 1997. The tax is levied by each region on resident taxpayers’ total taxable income (in case net PIT is positive) at a discretionary rate, which must fall within an established range. As from the year 2000 this range is 0.9% – 1.4%.

In December 2011, with the DL 201/2011, the minimum state rate has been increased from 0.9% to 1.23%.

The figure given in the 2023 parameter values table under the heading “Regional and local tax” includes the regional surcharge tax paid in the most representative city which is Rome (Lazio).The regional surcharge of Lazio applies to the whole income with two brackets (1.73% under or equal EUR 15 000 and 3.33% over 15 000). The municipality surcharge in Rome is 0.9% flat.

Local surcharge tax

This surcharge tax has been introduced in 1999. The tax may be levied by each local government at an initial rate that cannot exceed 0.2%. If the tax is levied, the local government can increase the initial rate, on a yearly basis, up to a maximum of 0.5%. Each yearly increase cannot exceed 0.2%. As from 2012, municipalities can increase the rate up to 0.8.

A 0.9 special rate can be introduced by Roma Capitale Local Government.

The figure given in the 2023 parameter values table under the heading “Regional and local tax” includes the local surcharge tax paid in the most representative city which is Rome; the rate is 0.9% as from 2015.

Starting from 2011, exemption is provided to taxpayers whose total income consists of retirement income not exceeding EUR 7 500, income from land not exceeding EUR 185.92, and income from primary residence. As from 2015 the rate is not applied to taxpayers with income under EUR 12 000. The ordinary rate is applied if any one of these limits is passed.

The surcharge rates can be adjusted above the fixed roof because of the health care losses.

2. Compulsory Social Security

2.1. Employee contributions

• Rate and ceiling

  • The average rate is 9.49% on earnings up to EUR 52 190. However, a temporary decrease in rate of social security contributions from 9.49% to 6.49% (-3 p.p.) applies for employees having income up to EUR 25 000 and from 9.49% to 7.49 (-2 p.p.) up to EUR 35 000. The measure is in force from 1/1/2023 until 31/12/2023 (13th month salary included). Moreover, from 1/07/2023 until 31/12/2023, an additional cut (-4 p.p.) applies for employees earning less than EUR 35 000 (13th month salary excluded).

  • The average rate is 10.49% on earnings over EUR 52190 and up to EUR 113 520.

  • For earnings exceeding EUR 113 520, the employee pays a fixed amount given by (0.0949 x 52 190) + 0.1049 x (113 520 – 52 190).

• Distinction by marital status or sex

  • None.

2.2. Employer contributions

• Contributions equal 31.58%2 on earnings up to EUR 113 520. For earnings exceeding EUR 113 520, the employer pays a fixed amount given by 0.3158 x 113 520.

• A General Government employer work-related accident insurance exists in Italy. It is compulsory for employers with employees and contract workers in activities involving the use of machinery and in risky activities as defined by the law. The standard premium to be paid is calculated by applying to remuneration the rates linked to the activity in which the employee works. The rates that vary between 0 to about 13% are provided by a special classification that takes into account the different categories of risk between the various activities. It is not possible to provide a representative or average rate since the contribution rates vary depending on the industrial activities and other factors of risk. Those contributions are not included in the Report.

3. Universal Cash Transfers

As from 1/1/2022 the tax credit for children under 21 years old, the previous family allowance, and some minor measures to support households have been replaced by the new family allowance (the ‘Assegno Unico e Universale’). This is a single and universal allowance for children from the 7^th month of pregnancy until 21 years old, consisting in a monthly cash-transfer calculated on the ISEE (i.e., equivalent economic status indicator), an index accounting both for taxable and exempt incomes and for real estate and financial wealth, made equivalent using a scale accounting for the number of components, the disability of children, and the working status of parents3.

The ‘Assegno Unico e Universale’ is indexed to inflation, calculated with the National Consumer Price Index for the whole nation CPI (in Italian ‘NIC’). It follows a progressive scheme, implying a maximum amount (EUR 175 per month for minors; EUR 85 for adult younger than 21 years) for households with less than EUR 15 000 of ISEE, and a dècalage until a minimum amount (EUR 50 per month for minors; EUR 25 for adult younger than 21 years) for ISEE greater than EUR 40 0004. It also provides additional bonus for children with disability, large households, children under 3 years old, working parents, and young mother (younger than 21 years old). Such thresholds and amounts are indexed to the CPI inflation, which account for 8.1% in 2023.

The following table shows computations for different family schemes to be entitled to the universal family allowance: in this simulation the ISEE solely takes into account labour income with no additional information on wealth and real estate.

 

Principal earner	Second earner	Married	Children*	Total Taxable income	Deduction employee	Equivalent scale	ISEE	Total Family allowance
0.67	0.00	0.00	0.00	22288	3000	1.00	19288	0
1.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	32916	3000	1.00	29916	0
1.67	0.00	0.00	0.00	52669	3000	1.00	49669	0
0.67	0.00	0	2	22288	3000	2.24	8611	4540
1.00	0.00	1	2	32916	3000	2.46	12161	4540
1.00	0.67	1	2	55204	6000	2.66	18498	4979
1.00	1.00	1	2	65832	6000	2.66	22493	4384
1.00	1.00	1	0	55204	6000	1.57	31340	0

( * ) Children > 3 years old and < 18 years old, without disabilities

4. Main Changes

As from 2022, Budget Law n. 234/2021 modified the Personal Income Tax (IRPEF). The tax brackets passed from 5 to 4, with different thresholds, the central tax rates decreased, and the employment tax credits increased (with a modification of the refundable fiscal bonus of EUR 100).

The tax credit for children and the previous family cash transfer (plus some minor measures5) to support households have been replaced by a single and universal allowance, in most cases more generous than the previous benefits. The universal allowance is indexed to inflation.

As from 2023, Budget Law n. 197/2022 introduced a temporary decrease in rate of social security contributions from 9.49% to 6.49% (-3 p.p.) applies for employees having income up to EUR 25 000 and from 9.49% to 7.49 (-2 p.p.) up to EUR 35 000 (13th month salary included). The measure is in force from 1/1/2023 until 31/12/2023. Moreover, D.L 48/2023 apply an additional cut (-4 p.p.) for employees earning less than EUR 35 000 from 1/07/2023 until 31/12/2023 (13th month salary excluded).

The brackets and the amounts of the new family allowance introduced in 2022 are indexed to inflation (8.01%, based on CPI) and minor revisions were introduced. In particular, the allowance for children with disabilities has been simplified and increased; the additional bonus for households with 4 children or more was increased by 50%; and two additional bonuses have been introduced for new-borns and numerous households with children under 3.

Tax schedule of the regional tax in Lazio has been modified.

5. Memorandum Item

5.1. Identification of an AW

The data refer to the annual earnings of average workers.

5.2. Contributions by employers to private pension, health, etc. schemes

In addition to the mandatory social security contributions employers may pay contributions to private pension schemes (currently about forty pension funds). Employer’s contributions are included in the taxable income of the employee.

Employees may also choose to contribute to the pension funds with all or part of the retirement allowance that is otherwise withheld by the employers. In this case the employee can deduct from his taxable income an amount equal to twice the amount of the contribution paid to fund.

Employer’s contributions to private health insurance schemes are not included in the taxable income of the employee up to the limit of EUR 3 615.20.

2023 Parameter values

 

Average earnings/yr	Ave_earn	33 492	Secretary estimate
Tax schedule	tax_sch	0.23	15 000.00
		0.25	28 000.00
		0.35	50 000.00
		0.43	999 999 999.99
Tax credits
Fiscal bonus 100 euro	new_thre_min	8 146
	new_thre_max	15 000
	new_f_bonus	1 200
Employment
	emp_add	0	1 880.00
		8 000	1 880
		15 000	1910
		19 000	1 910
		24 000	1 910
		25 000	1 910
		26 000	1 910
		27 700	1 910
		28 000	1 910
		50 000	0.00
Spouse	Spouse_cred	0	800.00
		15 000	690.00
		29 000	700.00
		29 200	710.00
		34 700	720.00
		35 000	710.00
		35 100	700.00
		35 200	690.00
		40 000	690.00
		80 000	0
Limit	Sp_crd_lim	2 840.51
Child credit	Child_credit
Additional child credit	add_child
Regional and local tax	reg_rt_sch	0.0173	15 000.00
		0.0333	28 000.00
		0.0333	999999999.99
	reg_rt	0.0173
	Local_rt	0.009
Social security contributions	SSC_sch	0.0464	25 000
		0.0564	35 000
		0.0949	52 190
		0.1049	113 520
		0.00	999999999.99
Employer contributions	Empr_sch	0.3158	113 520
		0.00	999 999 999.99
Cash transfers:
Universal child benefit		Table is too long to be included

2023 Tax equations

The equations for the Italian system in 2023 are mostly repeated for each individual of a married couple. But the spouse credit is relevant only to the calculation for the principal earner and any child credit which the spouse is unable to use is transferred to the principal. This is shown by the Range indicator in the table below.

The functions which are used in the equations (Taper, MIN, Tax etc) are described in the technical note about tax equations. Variable names are defined in the table of parameters above, within the equations table, or are the standard variables “married” and “children”. A reference to a variable with the affix “_total” indicates the sum of the relevant variable values for the principal and spouse. And the affixes “_princ” and “_spouse” indicate the value for the principal and spouse, respectively. Equations for a single person are as shown for the principal, with “_spouse” values taken as 0.

 

	Line in country table and intermediate steps	Variable name	Range	Equation
1.	Earnings	Earn
2.	Allowances:	tax_al	B	SSC
3.	Credits in taxable income	taxbl_cr	B	0
4.	CG taxable income	tax_inc	B	earn-tax_al1
5.	CG tax before credits	CG_tax_excl	B	Tax(tax_inc, tax_sch)
6.	Tax credits :
	Employment credit	emp_cr_max	P	VLOOKUP(tax_inc, emp_add, 2))
		emp_cr_max_spouse	S	IF(tax_inc_spouse=0,0,(VLOOKUP(tax_inc_spouse,emp_add,2)))
		emp_cr	P	MIN(CG_tax_excl, IF(tax_inc<=thre_1,emp_cr_max, IF(tax_inc<=thre_2,emp_cr_max+1190*(thre_2-tax_inc)/13000, IF(tax_inc>thre_3,emp_cr_max*(thre_3-tax_inc)/22000)+IF(tax_inc>25000,65)+IF(tax_inc>35000,-65))))
			S	MIN(CG_tax_excl_spouse, IF(tax_in_spousec<=thre_1,emp_cr_max_spouse, IF(tax_inc_spouse<=thre_2,emp_cr_max_spouse+1190*(thre_2-tax_inc_spouse)/13000, IF(tax_inc_spouse>thre_3, emp_cr_max_spouse*(thre_3-tax_inc_spouse)/22000)+IF(tax_inc_spouse>25000,65)+IF(tax_inc>35000,-65))))
	Fiscal bonus	fiscal_b	B	IF(tax_inc<new_thre_min;0;IF(tax_inc<=new_thre_max;new_f_bonus;0))
	Spouse credit	spouse_cr	P	IF(Married='1,' IF(tax_inc_spouse>Sp_crd_lim,0, IF(tax_inc>80000,0, IF(tax_inc<15000,800-110*tax_inc/15000, IF(tax_inc>40000,690*(80000-tax_inc)/40000,VLOOKUP(tax_inc,Spouse_cred,2))))),0)
	Child credit	child_cr_princ	P	0
		child_crfull_spouse	S	0
		child_crpct_spouse	S	IF(child_crfull_spouse>0,IF((CG_tax_excl_spouse-emp_cr_spouse)/child_crfull_spouse<0.5,0,0.5),0)
		child_cr_spouse	S	0
	Total	tax_cr	B	MIN(emp_cr+spouse_cr+child_cr, CG_tax_excl)
7.	CG tax	CG_tax	B	Positive(CG_tax_excl-tax_cr)
8.	State and local taxes	reg_rt	B	=IF(CG tax=0;0;IF(tax_inc<12000;0;tax_inc*local_rt))+IF(CG tax=0;0; tax(tax_inc;reg_rt_sch)))
9.	Employees' soc security	SSC	B	=IF(earn=0,0,IF(earn<=25000,0.04644*earn,IF(AND(earn>25000,earn<=35000),0.05644*earn,IF(AND(earn>35000,earn<= 52190), 0.0949*earn,IF(earn>52190,(0.0949*52190)+(0.1049*(earn-52190)),IF(earn> 113520,(0.0949*52190)+ (0.1049*(113520-52190))))))))
11.	Cash transfers	isee	J	=(tax_inc-(3000+(3000*second_earn>0)))/eq_scale
		fam_all_base	J	=IF(isee<=16215,189.18*12*children,IF(isee>16215,(54.05+((189.18-54.05)*(43240-isee)/27025))*12*children,IF(isee>43240,54.05)))
		fam_all_add	J	=IF(second_earn=0,0,IF(isee<16215,32.43*12*children,IF(isee>16215,32.43*12*children*(43240-isee)/27025)))
		fam_all	J	=fam_all_base+fam_all_add
13.	Employer's soc security	SSC_empr	B	Tax(earn, Empr_sch)

Key to range of equation B calculated separately for both principal earner and spouse P calculated for principal only (value taken as 0 for spouse calculation) J calculated once only on a joint basis.

Notes

← 1.  If the income is between 15 001 and 28 000, the 100 euros can be assigned whether the tax credit for employee is lower than the difference between the tax liability and the tax credits for dependents (plus other minor tax credits). These tax credits are those listed in art 15 comma 1, letter a), b), c), comma 1-ter, and art. 16-bis of the TUIR. For more details see art. Law n. 234/2021, art 1, comma 3, letter a).

← 2.  It includes pension, unemployment assurance, fund for assurance of the severance pay (TFR), fund for the family bonus, ordinary and extraordinary wages guarantee fund (CIG), maternity leave and sickness assurance.

← 3.  To calculate the tax wedge for the stylized OECD households, we calculate the ISEE based on the taxable income only, not being able to make hypothesis on the wealth.

← 4.  To calculate the tax wedge for the stylized OECD households, we assume children are under 18 years old and without disabilities.

← 5.  The minor measures were not affecting the TW calculations.