Setting Up a Business in Italy: 3 Simple First Steps

If you work in Italy, you don’t want to run into trouble with the Italian tax man. Did you know that even if you just let out your second home during the summer, you might need to be registered as a firm? It isn’t as daunting as you might think to start your own business in Italy if you have the correct advice.

Here are three simple steps to start you on your way and make sure you’re on the right side of the law:

1. 1. Get a Codice Fiscale. This is an Italian tax code and it’s difficult to operate in Italy without one. It’s simple enough to acquire. Just go to your local tax office with your passport and ask for one. You’ll be the proud owner of a codice fiscale by the time you leave the office. It is the fastest you will ever see the Italian tax system move!
2. 2. Tell the Tax Man. How you do this depends on the type of business you’re starting. If you’re a “professional” such as an accountant, surveyor, web designer or artist then all you have to do is apply for a VAT number (partita iva) directly from the Italian Revenue. If you’re setting up as an “artisan” - a wide category including builders, painters and plumbers but also including agencies offering cleaning and other services - then a ComUnica is filed on your behalf by the Chamber of Commerce when you register your business. (You must register with the Chamber within 30 days of starting your business.) The ComUnica is a single communication which is valid for the Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Revenue (VAT number), INPS and INAIL. Either way, your commercialista will be able to advise you on what you need to do.
3. 3. Decide on An Accounting Regime. This depends on a number of factors, such as your likely volume of business, the type of business you’re setting up, your age and so on. The choice you make will have an enormous impact on how much Italian tax you pay and the bureaucratic obligations you have to comply with, so it’s something you need to understand clearly right from the start. You need to have a good discussion with your Italian accountant. The clearer your lines of communication are, the more likely you’ll get the advice you need. 

A good commercialista will guide you through the maze of Italian tax and administrative obligations. But in addition a good and pro-active commercialista will constantly be on the look-out for innovations and changes to the tax system which could work to your advantage. That’s where we can help you. We’re proactive, we’re on your side and we’re English speaking to boot… Contact us now for a no obligation chat. 

BEV now has a Service Centre where you can contact a list of accountants with just one click of the mouse.