Every Italian company has a VAT tax number (Partita IVA) on top of the company number. The two numbers are usually identical but there is an exception: if you have a non trading entity that cannot have a VAT number – such as a Representative office or a Light Branch – and you upgrade it to a company – such as a full Branch – the two numbers will always be different.
Contrary to other EU countries, getting a VAT number in Italy is quite fast. If the company formation is managed correctly, the company get its VAT number in 24-48 hours. Unfortunately the VAT number could be not enough to trade.
The new VAT regime in Italy
From 2011 the VAT number can be used to sell to Italian clients only. If you want to trade with foreign clients, you need to register your company in a second VAT Registry (in Italian “Registrazione del VIES“).
The main reason of the new regime is to prevent VAT frauds. As a result, all the existing Italian companies have been deleted from the online VAT Registry of the European Union, and they should apply again. This could be quite frustrating because the European Registry is used by your clients to be sure that you run a legitimate company. If they check – and if you haven’t get the VIES registration – they will not find your company, like if the company doesn’t exist.
In short, if you run an international business the VIES registration is a must. On the contrary, if all your clients are Italian, the traditional VAT registration is fine.
Who can register your VAT number in Italy and where
A) The first registration (Partita IVA) is usually managed during the company formation, by the notary public or by your lawyer. Any Italian company is required to apply for a VAT number, even if dormant.
The only exceptions are the entity that cannot trade: the Representative Office and the Light Branch (they can’t invoice thus they can’t have a VAT number. Only a company number).
B) The registration of the extra VAT number (VIES) is managed by a chartered secretary or by your accountant. It usually takes anywhere between three weeks and two months, and the process takes place at the local Tax Agency.
Because the Italian Tax Agencies are often overflow with their job, it is useful to remind your accountant from time to time that a regular and direct contact with the Tax Agency could be very effective to speed up the process. The accountant could be annoyed to be schooled by a foreigner like you, but in my experience it could be very useful. Be diplomatic – as usual – and you will rarely fail.
Image source: the VAT number search engine of the Italian Tax Agency
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140 Responses
Hi Stephano. I sent you a question in the other post (the one about subsidiary vs branch). Do we get the PARTITA IVA for our US LLC when we start the subsidiary or branch? Or do we have to pay these guys as an extra expense?
Yes Richard the Partita IVA (VAT number) is included in any subsidiary and branch (if your consultant does the job properly). You don’t need to pay any extra.
However if you don’t need to issue invoice in Italy, it’s better to avoid subsidiary and branch (they are expensive) and go for a representative office or light branch. I replied to this point in the comments here:
http://attorneyitaly.com/subsidiary-in-italy
Kind regards
SteFano … with F 🙂
Hello,
I have openenned a consulting firm in italy, and need a VAT (IVA) Number.
As you say you are retired, who can I talk to in order to help me process an application.
Thanks
dear sir,
you will be contacted as soon as possible.
All the best!
Hi, i have a question – I sold goods to my italian customer in 2010 – he has a partita IVA, but now i cannot see him on VIES and my czech goverment want me to pay a IVA my myself. As i cas read in 2011 all companies with p.IVA was deleted from VIES and has to register again? Is there any chance to get the proof of registration by p.IVA in italy for this company? Or how should i step forward?
Yes you can. A lawyer would be to expensive. Contact any Italian company that provides certification services, like http://www.companiesinitaly.com (disclaimer: they are my clients) and ask them a “visura”. If your former client is still registered at the Chamber of Commerce, they can prove it trough a certificate with apostille valid in your country. All the best. Stefano
Hi Stefano,
Just found your website and looks really helpful.
I am looking into setting up a business where I would like to bring food products from the UK to sell wholesale in Italy and in return to buy food products in Italy and sell in the UK.
I would be most grateful for any advise for TAX , Vat , regulations
Thanks
Duncan
Hi Duncan, against my interest, I would use a UK Limited company to trade wholesale food between the two countries. Thanks to the European Union, you don’t need to setup a company in Italy. If your business growth, you can always open an Italian branch or an Italian presence. Just my general opinion, always ask to a professional for your specific case.
Dear Stefano,
I am a company residing in Germany with many Italian clients. For me it is the easiest to sell the client something if he has the P.IVA (VIES).
But what I do not know and would like to ask you, is whether the Italian client has to pay the Italian tax directly to the tax office at all? Say he pays for the goods + transport I sell, but does he have to pay tax in Italy or is he completely exempt of that?
Thanks
Iris
Hi Iris. I can’t provide detailed opinion on the website. But I am happy to give some general tips. Trading between two countries of the the European Union (for instance Germany and Italy) is a “cross border” transaction. As a general rule (i) there is NO vat tax on services (for instance if you consult them by phone), on the contrary (ii) a vat tax is usually charged on goods. However there are exception. Check your specific case with an accountant or a tax lawyer as soon as you can. EU countries are extremely concerned on VAT tax fraud, and they are more aggressive than in other field. If your clients go busted, you risk to be forced to pay their debts in another country. All the best.
Dear I have p.iva and I would like to know about ims,tax both how much I will pay in year end +can I minus the house rent etc from my salry etc
Hello, Sir My Name is Junaid. I live in Rome.sir i want to get some information.that i have to sale my products door to door in hand byself. So how to make my licence and open my p.Iva?thanku.
Hi Junaid. A lawyer is probably too expensive for what you need. I am used to help companies and manage inheritance. For a door to door activity, try the local Chamber of Commerce. Let me know if it will be successful. Cheers
sir if i Make my own business here so is this possible to get loan around about 20 to 30,000 euro? I don’t have big investmemt but i want to make business here. Thanku im waiting for ur answer. Thanx
Small loans are not my area, but I think that it’s going to be VERY hard to get one. This issue is not limited to Italy. Small business are suffering all around Europe. Ad majora (“all the best” in Latin)
HI Stefano ,
Thx for your great website .
Do you know if it’s always mandatory for a freelancer to be registered to P.Iva to invoice customers or is Codice Fiscale enough on invoices under certain circumstances ?
Thx again .
Best wishes.
Vincent .
Hi Vincent. A freelance without a P.IVA (VAT number) can be paid once a year, for one project, for a limited sum. If you need recurrent work from the freelance, he needs to open his own personal VAT number. The fact that a number of entrepreneur ignore this limit doesn’t make it legal. It’s the I-hope-nobody-catch-me strategy, unfortunately very common in Italy.
Hi Stefano ,
Your site is really helpful to understand the Italian Laws for everyone. kindly tell me how much it cost me to go for the legal process to open my P.IVA (VAT number),as I want to open an Amazon store to sell my goods in other countries.
Best Wishes
Hi. Most of the time, an accountant will open your personal VAT for free or for a symbolic cost, if you appoint him to keep your books. I can’t speak for all the accountants, but know many of them in this position. Check in your city, or online. You can also have a look to my resource page. There is an group of accountant who speak English.
Hi stefano, i want to open a P.iva on a business of buying of secondhand vehicles to africa, what type of P.iva do i need, and can i have also a targe-prove to be transpoting the vehicles to port? Thanks. cliff
Hi Cliff, that’s a consultancy. I am afraid is a bit too much for a comment on a blog. I will pass your email to my friend.
We are UK Based business wants to start concession in Italy, the concession company is requiring an Italian VAT number, How we can get an Italian VAT number do we need to register a new company in Italy or we can open a branch or subsidiary.
Two options:
1) setup an Italian limited company (owned by your company)
2) setup an Italian subsidiary
You can find more information in this website. As a rule of thumb, usually for fashion companies the best solution is a subsidiary. It’s cheaper than an Italian limited company and doesn’t require share capital (on the contrary, an Italian limited company requires Eur 10,000). Eventually you can ask your lawyer.
awesome article.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
first-of-its-kind thank you
Thanks man
great
most excellent contents, thanks
Thank you Stefano
Hello Stefano Tresca
great information in your site.
I am a (German0 retired Hotel executive living in Italy and have been approached to do some consultant work in the Hospitality business. I am very interested to do this, but found that in order to do this and get compensated, I need a IVA number. The consultant work I would be doing is mostly outside of Italy. It could be one time a year or as many times as I want to accept such work.
Hello Thomas,
your question is very common and often a source of frustration in Italy. Yes you need a VAT number but starting a limited company or even a sole trader business in Italy is more complex than in other countries (and since you live in Italy you already know).
I’m going to give you the same suggestion that I give to my students, when they want to open a startup: “Start small and fast”.
The VAT number is NOT required for “lavoro occasionale” (occasional business). It means that you can provide a few consultancy (in theory related to the same project) and don’t get too much money. Start as an occasional contractor and see how it goes. If the income is good (and you like to be back in business) you can open a sole trader in Italy or maybe abroad.
Contact a local account to help you. In this first stage, a smart account is going to charge you a small fee to get the client later.
Dear Stefano,
Thank you for your website. I am a Non-EU Malaysian citizen but married with an italian.I have a valid passport, permesso di soggiorno,codice fiscale and work in Varese for Whirlpool Srl.However, i would like to teach english part time over the Internet under my own brand/company.Do i have to have a partita Iva VIES if my earnings are leas than 5k? And what if i employ teachers to help me? Your help would be very much appreciated.
Dear Mikel, as you can imagine I can’t provide a consultancy to a specific case (especially in the comment of a post). Anyway, as a general rule:
1) If you manage a recurrent business, you are required to get a VAT number (Partita IVA).
2) Working as an employee + providing services in your name = means a sort of double tax declaration. Not a piece of cake in Italy.
I strongly (very strongly) suggest to get a good accountant.
Out of records, maybe you would like to start joining a service like oDesk.com or Elance.com etc. When the revenue are good, you can setup a limited company (SRL) and get the VAT number in automatic. All the best
Hello colleagues, wish u the best
I used to be seeking this particular information for a very lengthy time. Thanks and good luck.
Have you ever considered about including a little
bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is
important and everything. But think of if you added some great photos or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
Talking of VAT…I was wondering if you knew if it is possible/legal to be living in Italy with a Partita IVA as a libera professionista AND have a VAT no. in the UK for the work carried out there (via internet). Thus pay italian tax on italian work and UK tax on UK work (I think an office address is necessary in the UK). This would facilitate our move over there, but I’m not sure if it is allowed….
Hi Jenny, I don’t know your specific case. In general is possible to have VAT number in different EU country. Tax is different though. If you live in Italy, and do business online from Italy, the Italian Tax Agency will probably request tax in Italy on the whole income. I suggest to contact an Italian accountant
What type of iva do i need to by from italy and sell in africa.
In Italy, any IVA is fine. In Africa, you should ask to a local solicitor. Cheers
This post truly made my day. You can’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
Hi Stefano. Your website has many backlinks, including Wikipedia. Do you use any special service?
Reply no.1: No I don’t use any service. And no, I didn’t register any link to Wikipedia (although I should have), someone else did. I never really used this blog to sell anything, although this can change in the future.
Reply no.2: Just in case. I don’t plan to buy any web marketing service 🙂
Dear Stefano, what VAT apply to financial advice?
Same VAT than every other service (at the moment 21%). But you need a special licence to provide financial advise. If you plan to provide this service on a personal scale, you should contact an account. At company level, I would suggest to contact a lawyer or a bigger accountancy firm focusing to consultancy.
Excellent website. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends ans also sharing. Thank you to your effort!
Dear Stefano, is any special requirement to start an insurance company in Italy?
Yes. Very tough. Don’t even start if you don’t have a big budget and expertise (in that case, feel free to call cheers!)
Dear Stefano,
I am working as an online affiliate marketer for some US companies, and I’m also selling my own stuff (ebooks and computer based training videos) for US-based clients. Each month I generate between $5000 and $10000 in revenue. Additionally, in the next few months I will move to Italy and also want yo move my current activities there. I’d like to know what the best way to declare my revenues and how much taxes I will have to pay. Finally, is there a way to minimize taxes legally?
Kind Regards.
Is it possible for an immigrant to open a self-employed company in Italy?
of course. naturally, you should accomplish to some requirements, but it is not that difficult thing.
hello Stefano I need your help I want to ask you that I am student here in Italy I have student permit I want to start little business to sell things door to door or shop to shop so I need partita iva or not and it is possible for international student to start
His own work here in Italy
hi haroon. if I can help… it depends how much little would be your business ? any idea, on a yearly basis ?
Hi stef. thanks for your sit, I´m interested in buying goods from Europe to Africa, can the italian VAT number be use to purchase goods from all Europe?. If no, is there any means to aquire VAT number that can serve this purpose?.
Thanks
Dear Ernest
someone will contact you soon about your request.
Best regards
Michele Spadaro
Hi Stephano
I live in the UK,and a few months ago did some work for a company in Italy, I’m not VAT registered. They paid the invoice no problem. Since then i have done some more work for them and there is no more work for me in Italy after this.Now they say they cannot pay the invoice without an IVA number, how can i resolve this issue.
Thanks Lewis
Hello, Stefan,
I’m very glad that I’ve found your site!
At this moment I’m collecting information about taxes to be paid dor commercial activity of our Italian company. We’ve just opened it and have some partners in the USA and Russia.
Can you help me with this questions please?
Which taxes are withheld or paid from the payments received by the Italian company under the advertisement service contract with Russian/American companies?
Has the Italian company to add VAT tax in the invoice for its service?
Thank you very much!
Good morning
Somebody will answer you soon.
Rgs
Michele
Dear Stefano,
I hope you are still taking/answering questions several months after the blog post date. Thank you if you are!
I am a dual US / Italian citizen opening a corporate event planning business in Milan. Initially, my main customer base will be US companies needing assistance developing business events, trade missions, and meetings in Italy. Eventually the business will expand to provide similar services for Italian firms seeking similar event planning in the US and around Milan.
I am a sole proprieter business (according to US standards) and realize I need an IVA. However, I am a little confused as to exactly what I need as most billing (in early stage) will be through the US.
Could you clarify, or direct me to websites and information that will?
Many thanks!
Jessamyn
Hi Jessamyn,
In your situation, I think the best option is a light branch of your company: in this way, you can bill in Italy from the US. Please let me know if I can help yet.
Hi,
I just married with an Italian girl, and moved to Rome, Italy to live for some years. But as a freelancer, I have most of my clients in the United States. I would be very grateful if you can give me as much information as possible about the taxes, permissions, registrations, charges, and everything I’d need to know to legally work from here.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Hi, George, what’s your job?
I’m a graphic designer. Thanks!
I will give you an answer soon
Thanks Michele. I really appreciate it.
Please, I’ll appreciate an answer before I start working. Thanks in advance!
(yesmynameisgeorgethomas@hotmail.com)
Here my email just in case. Thanks!
yeah, my mistake.. yesmynameisgeorgethomas@hotmail.com
Hi
I’m thinking about providing transport of goods from Italy to Malta, The people buy it and I will just bring it to Malta.
Since the item is bought in Italy and the transport starts in Italy I should charge Italian VAT on the transport.
I don’t live in Italy myself so how can I get a Italian VAT number?
Hi Morgan
You could arrange a company with somebody that is living in Italy (Italian, UE citizen or foreigner living in Italy).
Ask if you need help
Michele
I would like to initially open up an office and work from there. I am a freelance teacher and translator and my bulk of work is in company. However I would like to have a base that isn’t home. Do I need to have a partita iva. Of course my intention is to invite students eventually into my studio that is big enough to hold up to 10 people, but currently I wish only to work from there and visit my students out of office.
Can you guide me in the right direction
Sorry, I don’t understand if you are in Italy or what.
Rgs
Michele
hello
i am basit from pakistan and doing business in pakistan with name of al fateh expo.
i have NTN national tax number of that company. this small business start in 2011.
so
i am in italy and i have permesso di soggiorno (work card) but my work card has been expired in 16 oct 2014. for renewalof my work card want job contract. but here in italy no more job for forigners, so i want to start business in italy and i wana sell my product here..
please tell me how can this possible.
thanks
Hi Basit, where are you based in Italy? We should meet personally, for better explanations on your possibilities. Feel free to contact me directly trough the contact page.
Rgs
Michele Spadaro
Hi Michele and Stefano,
First and foremost, thank you for this very informative site. I am a speech therapist living in Italy and thinking about providing freelance therapy (on a small and personal scale) in Italy. I have a codice fiscale and permesso soggiorno. From your article, I understand that I will need to apply for a Partita IVA in order to provide recurrent services. My questions are:
1) Do I need to open a Sole Proprietorship/Limited Liability in order to get my Partita IVA?
2) In your article, you mentioned that a lawyer or Notary Public can apply for the Partita IVA. But in your response to Marvis, you mentioned “If you plan to provide this service on a personal scale, you should contact an account.”
So does this mean that if I am doing it on a freelance basis (small scale), I can get an accountant to apply for the Partita IVA?
Looking forward to your advice and many thanks in advance!
Cheers
Jane
Hello Stefano,
My partner and I have an existing UK ltd. ( she is an Italian resident, I’m UK)
We are expanding our existing business to operate as a tour operator business in Italy
We have less than two elements to our business , in the UK this means we escape many of the regulations that travel agents are bound by,
I’m not yet sure if it will be the same operating in italy.
As are not as yet VAT registered in the UK but may do so now .
Do you think we will need a partita iva in Italy or can trade just using a UK VAT number ?
We plan to mainly sell online but also through hotels who we will need to give receipts to , we will also need fiscal receipts from coach companies etc, that we will be using
After some research it looks as though my italian partner may need to become a ‘direttore tecnico ‘ of an Italian branch of our UK company (referente in Italia?)
We want to operate within the law so any advice on this or who to contact greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Gary
Dear Gary,
it seems you should open an Italian branch of your UK company, for proper operating in Italy.
I can give legal assistance for this.
Rgs
Michele
Hello Stefano,
I have a UK LTD company where I provide services (summer camps) to italian schools. At present I invoice directly the schools. do i need to pay tax to the italian government? do i need to register for p.iva? i’m already vat registered in the uk.
secondly, in the future i may need to invoice the parents directly. how will this change vat implications?
Many thanks for your help.
regards
jenny
Where are the services provided?
Rgs
Michele
Hi Michele,
In Italy. We teach english as a foreign language through drama, sport and art.
Regards
Jenny
Hi Jenny,
VAT is not applicable in this case
Rgs
Hi Sir, my name is Prince. I live in italy n would like to start a company of my own. It’s not all that big, I just want to work on a products produced by another company. I will go for the products they produce, work on it then send it back to them. It’s like working under that company but want to make my attivities registered one with my own employees as a company. So I need your advise on how to go about it, how to register, to get .iva
Is me again, i would like to know if this my activities requires a linces and p.iva if yes, how and where do I go to start the application. And do I need the p.iva before i can comence the activities? Please you reply me through email as well and I will be very greatful for your help.
THANKS
Hi dear sir,how are you? I want to start my work. (Distribution of volantini). I need pertita iva. How I can open pertita iva for this kind of business. Thanks
Buongiorno,
Thanks for a lot of useful information here. I have a question regarding the neccessity to get a P.IVA.
We are finalizing details for a business agreement with an Italian Company to provide management services for a limited time of one year with a possibility to extend the contract on a year to year basis.
Invoicing will be done from our Dutch Limited Liability Company. In order to prepare the contract correctly will we need to provide an Italian P.IVA or is the Dutch VAT number sufficient?
As the company is Dutch based VAT will be paid in Holland.
Grazie mille per il vostro aiuto,
Friso
No need to open Italian p.iva
michele spadaro
Hi, I want to buy autolavaggio on lease. Can you explain me how will I associate VAT number on my name as new business holder. I’m bit confuse. Thx.
Hello,
I am about to be hired as a long-term contractor by an Indian company for work in its client’s office in Italy. They say I need to obtain a Partita IVA to do this job, is this correct? I already have codice fiscale.
Grazie!
Slava
yes, that is correct.
Rgs
Michele
I am currently working at the world expo in Milan, do I required to obtain a VAT number?
You don’t need a VAT number if you have a job contract or a temporary contract. The best place to ask is to your employee though The Expo
Hope you are enjoying Milan!
Hi,
We are a Swiss company planning to sell products in Italy using Amazon warehouse in Italy.
Because the products will be stored in the Italian Amazon warehouse, we need to get an Italian VAT/IVA number for foreign companies.
Can you please confirm how long this VAT registration takes, and if this local VAT will permit us to invoice all private clients and professional clients with this VAT/IVA number? We were informed we will have to declare the VAT once a year, is this correct? Do you provide the registration and yearly declaration service?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
Best regards,
Phil
Hi Phil
VAT registration is a process that takes just a few days. You’ll be able to invoice with it. Every year you’ll have to declare the VAT, correct. Yes, we provide the service.
Rgs
Michele
Buongiorno Michele & Stefano,
I trust that you are well. I am just sending you a quick message to see whether you recieved an e-mail I sent last week about starting a business in Italy. Please let me know if you did not and I will try to resend it to you.
Thank you in advance.
Best Wishes,
Evan Byrne.
Hi guys,
I would like to appoint a VAT representative and make a VAT registration in Italy, is there any tax agency to be recommended? Thank you.
Regards
Leo
Hi, Leo, you will be contacted very soon for your issue
Rgs
michele
i have partita IVA number, but if i check it online in the EU Commission data base, it shows invalid, what do i need to do, because i need to buy goods from EU countries.thanks
Hi Antonio, sadly the Italian tax agency does NOT automatically register your company in Europe. You should ask your accountant to do it manually (the name of the registry is VIES)
HiStefano,
I am an American living here in Italy with a permesso di soggiorno and a codice fiscale. I am do freelance work with Upwork and Elance who have said recently that I need a VAT number. Is this true, and where do I apply for this?
Thanks for your help.
Hi Craig. Many accountants will open your personal VAT number for free in order to get you as a customer. If you don’t have an accountant you trust, you can Google “online accountant” (in Italian) or drop me a message and I will forward you to mine.
Hello michele, I read with much interest your post and solutions to each question asked. Mine is complicated though. I received an offer to work with a firm/ director but he instructed that I must have a partita iva with (attivita servizio impresa) on it, with which the offer would be mine. I am somewhat confused.what steps do I have to undergo? Also, what are the risk involved if I decide to open an iva and later decide to close it, due to not much turnovers.
Hi Daniel,
First: where are your from? this can be important.
michele
I am a Nigerian residing in the region of piemonte. Every valid documents that is required to habitate is available. Guess I urgently need some explanation as it affect my situation. In anticipation…
Hi Daniel, if all your documents are in order, the easiest way to have a VAT is to contact a local accountant (or an online accountant). They are usually happy to setup the VAT number for free in order to get a new customer. Things are different if you are planning to incorporate a more sophisticated company, then you probably need a lawyer with corporate experience.
Hi,
Thank you for the useful info.
I’m an EU citizen and will move to Italy soon.
I plan to register an IVA for a sales activity that I’ll exercise in Florence. The (Italian) importing/distribution company is giving me a choice between working independently for them on a commission base (they invoice) or to register an IVA and invoice clients myself. In order to reduce risks I plan to work as a sole trader.
However, I may use the IVA to work on other (smaller) projects – importing goods, occasional consultation work, some freelance translations. Can all of these be done under the same IVA? or could the occasional consultation/translations things be done as a “consultore” or some loose arrangement? How would one declare that on a tax form?
Can I deduct my expenses from the profits when I have an IVA (phone, travel costs, etc)?
Best regards,
Christel
Hi Christel, you use the same IVA for everything, and can deduct the expenses related to your activity (included the ones you mentioned). For further details, please ask Stefano.
Michele
Hi,
I am a UK citizen resident in Italy.
I have been told that I need a P.IVA to start up a very, small business, selling online on Amazon, Ebay and a website.
The problem is that I have been told that it is obligatory to pay into the social security scheme which is probably much more than I am actually going to make. This then means I can’t afford to do this.
Is there an alternative? Have I misunderstood the rules?
No.Exactly that.
Michele
Hello Michele and Stefano,
I’m a UK citizen living in Italy. I have just started teaching English at a couple of schools and went to my local town to get a codice fiscale. They also gave me an IVA. One of my employers has since said that I don’t need to have an IVA and to actually get it cancelled in case I end up paying a business tax. Is this correct?
Thank you for your help,
Susannah
I find rather strange the local town gave you a VAT number. this is matter of Agenzia delle Entrate. if you are an employee, you needn’t VAT number.
rgs
Michele
Hi Stefano,
I am a student in Italy now and I have a resident permit here for study, now there is a possibility that I will start to work with an English school and they will make a ‘partita iva’ contract but I want to know if as a student i can get partita iva, do you have any information about this?
Hi, Selin,
yes you can, but as a student you can work just part time. if you think to full time, you have to switch from your current permit to work permit.
Rgs
michele
and I am from Turkey so non european citizenship.
Hi Stefano,
I am a non for profit company based in Canada. In October 2016 i am organizing a conference- workshop in Milan. I was wondering if I have to register my company for VAT in Italy.
And if so who can help me about this or there is a way to do it online directly with the Italian Revenu Agency. Thanks
Regards,
Nelly Milano
Hi, Stefano, the site is so helpful, my name is els and im working in a salumeria and have a valid permesso di soggiorno. My question is, i am planning to buy luxury bags like louis vuitton chanel etc and sell it to my country in malaysia, do i need to apple for partita iva? Looking forward for you response. Thanks
hi els
if you want to be a professional in that business, yes.
rgs
michele
Hello
I have been resident in Italy for 4 years. I am now on a student visa (I had a work permit visa for 2 years and student visa for 2 years). Now I would like to register myself as a freelance consultant, and I already have some tasks to do (from companies not in Italy). I would like to know how to pay the taxes and how to register my freelance activities, do i have to change my student visa?
Thanks a lot
Hello
you have not to change your student visa for that purpose.
I leave to Stefano for how to pay taxes and else.
Rgs
Michele
Dear Mr.Michele,
are there any individual companies (Sole Proprietor)in Italy doing business activities with only VAT Registration ( without register in Chamber of Commerce)…? Is it regal…?
If we need to get a information about them, from where we can get it.
Regards,
Sham
Registration in COC is mandatory
Rgs
Michele
Hello
I am an architect, just moved to Italy (non EU citizen) and one company contacted me and is very interested in collaborating with me, but they have asked me to open Partita iva. The problem is that I have no permesso di soggiorno. Is there any way I can open Partita iva without the permit?
Thank you very much.
Not possible.
But you can get it, after giving POA to an attorney here in Italy for a procedure with Questura and going back to your Country waiting for a document called” Nulla Osta”.
Ask for further details.
Rgs
Michele
We are a travel wholesaler in Australia selling travel products to Italy. Our supplier contracts include IVA that we pay in full.
Is it possible for our company to claim a tax refund if we register for Italian IVA?
Thank you!
Hi Phil, most of the VAT can be recovered by Australian company. This is not a job managed by lawyers but VAT refund specialists. There is a list of specialists in our resource page http://attorneyitaly.com/recources . If the page is not online yet, try “recupero IVA Italia” on Google and its English equivalent “VAT refund Italy”
Hello,
What a great site ! Thank you so much for posting such informative and clear information on this (What seems complicated process.).
I am an EU citizen, living Italy for 6-8 months before moving to London and need to set up as an independent events consultant (advising and helping on destination, hotels, etc..) issuing an invoice on a monthly basis.
What does it cost to get an Partita IVA?
What’s the breakdown on the invoice for an american client for consulting fees, expenses, commissions, etc… ?
Do you have a commercialista to recommend in Rome ?
Best,
Sophie
Hi Sophie, I agree. If you just need to consult a personal VAT number (Partita IVA) is the best option. My accountant is used to work with foreign customer and provide services through Skype and email as well. I will drop you an introduction to your email later today. You don’t need to spend money with a lawyer to open a personal VAT number.
Buongiorno,
Another person who needs some answers! I wonder if you can help. I am a British freelance translator living in Italy with my British husband who is on a work secondment in an Italian company. I have a codice fiscale and we’ll be applying for residency soon. I have been on maternity leave up to this point but would now like to start translating. The majority (if not all) my clients will be based abroad (I don’t translate from Italian). I only intend on working part-time, so I suspect my turnover will be quite low. Can you please advise whether I will need to register for the IVA & VIES? I have been reading different sources stating that you don’t need to register up to 30 000 euros. And also, what about local taxes?
If you need any further details, please get in touch.
Regards,
Cressida
Hi Cressida, you could start without VAT and open the VAT later when/if you pass the limit. I would suggest to contact a local accountant. You don’t really need to pay a lawyer for an individual VAT. If you feel more comfortable to deal with an English speaking accountant – who is also an Italian accountant – I’ll send the contact of my accountant to your email later today.
Hi i make scia for saleing thing by walk. I wantto make limited company what is process and also i want to know shall i pay my taxs yearly bases on scia?
Ciao Stefano!
Light reading all this information…
Perhaps you could advise me about setting up a Partita IVA for a Teaching and Workshop business I am about to embark upon in Milan.
Many thanks
Dahliana
Hi Dahliana, this can be easily done by you at the Tax Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) or by an accountant. I would suggest the second solution – an accountant. This may be a bit more expensive, but the Italian bureaucracy may be very complex.
Hi. I am an Italian (dual with USA) citizen living in Rome. I have a permanent employment contract with an English school. In addition, another company has asked me to provide some part time training and wants to give me a different type of contract, maybe occasional. Do I need a Partita IVA? Thanks
Hi Robert, you should ask the school. In theory, any person living in Italy could open a Tax number (Partita IVA). In practice, you have a permanent contract with a school. They may not allow you to provide multiple jobs.
Hello Stefano,
do I need to open a partita IVA if I will work as a freelance/sideline for italian clients? (Like logo design and etc)
Ciao Stefano!
This looks really helpful. I’m an international consultant doing research for non-profit international development and humanitarian aid agencies. I’m originally from Belgium, currently based in the UK, and now planning to move to Rome. I fell in love with Rome a few years ago and am already living there half of the time, and given the Brexit it seems to be a good time for me to make my move. But before doing so, I would like to make sure I understand what I need to do to get settled there as a sole trader.
I have 2 questions at this point and would be tremendously grateful if you could respond to this as it would help me deciding on next steps:
1. In the UK, if you have less than 80K profit a year you don’t to register and pay VAT. From what I read in your responses to others’ comments, it seems in Italy everybody is required to have a VAT number and pay VAT. Is this correct?
2. In the UK and in Belgium, I’m sued to do the registrations and bookkeeping all by myself. But it’s very straightforward for a sole trader in these countries. How easy/difficult is it in Italy? Would you recommend I hire an accountant to help me out? (I must say that my knowledge of the Italian language is at a very basic level close to zero, as I just started studying the language 2 montsn ago)
Grazie!
Adinda
good morning Stefano and the whole operators. please, I would like to know the pros and cons of how to start a music record business in Italy to get your song played on every Italian media platforms and what is the document you need to have or registered for you to have to bank loan. please, i need a full guide on how to start one by one thank you so much for your reply.
Hello Michele en Stefano,
My friend and I want to buy a place in Sicily and start a bed & breakfast, a small restaurant and yoga place all in one. We like to have some support to start this place, because we do not know anything about the Italian law. We are from the Netherlands. Who or what do you recommend?
Grazie Uma
Hello Stefano,
Thank you for your great article. I hope to God I get a response from you, my question is I’m a foreigner and sell Online Only no presence in Italy, could you please point out the best E-Commerce VAT requirements and how do I go about it?
Thank you in advance.
Ciao Stefano,
mi chiamo Silvia ho vissuto in UK per molti anni ed ora sono tornata in Italia. Sono una correttrice di bozze ed editor in lingua inglese. Vorrei iniziare la mia attività online come freelancer lavorando per clienti stranieri. Sarebbe la mia prima esperienza come freelancer quindi le chiedo cosa mi conviene fare. Devo registrare la Partita Iva o La VIES? Grazie per il suo supporto.