Country Guide: Italy


Looking to expand your e-commerce business to Italy, then look no further, here is AVASK's guide to VAT in Italy:

VAT in Italy

Italy is a member of the European Union (EU) and draws up its tax rules according to the laws or directives issued from Brussels by the EU. The current VAT directive applies to all 27 member states of the European Union, and it governs the rules on VAT compliance, and in some part, covers the setting of VAT rates.

As an EU member state, Italy is obliged to implement the VAT directives, which provides guidance on VAT. Where there is a conflict, the European Union’s directive takes precedence. Italy is a member of the European single market economy and uses the Euro (€) for its currency. In Italy VAT is known as: Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto, or IVA.


VAT registration in Italy

Both EU and non-EU businesses may trade in Italy without establishing a local presence. This is known as non-resident VAT trading. There is no VAT threshold in Italy for the registration of non-resident traders, but you will need one to record transactions and your Italian customers will want proof that you have obtained one.

There are strict rules on the situations where VAT registration is permitted. Common scenarios that require Italian VAT registration include:

  • Importing goods into Italy;
  • Organising live events, conferences, etc. in Italy;
  • Holding goods in a warehouse in Italy as stock for resale;
  • Buying goods within Italy that are subsequently re-sold in-country;
  • Selling goods from Italy to other EU member states;
  • Distance-selling to private individuals in Italy, e.g. internet retailing or trading through an e-commerce platform.

Registering for Italy VAT generally takes less than a week once all documentation has been submitted to the tax authority, but this varies from seller to seller and will depend on the specifics of an individual company.

Italian VAT compliance

There are detailed rules controlling the recording and processing of Italian transactions for VAT purposes. This includes guidelines on:

  • Italian invoice requirements;
  • When to issue an Italian tax invoice;
  • Foreign currency reporting;
  • Credit notes and corrections;
  • Correcting entries from prior returns;
  • Which accounting records must be maintained.

Italian VAT rates

VAT Rate% Rate
Standard Rate22%
Reduced Rate

10%
5%
4%

Zero Rate0%

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Country Profile: Italy

Italian E-commerce facts:

Population60.55 million
(January 2020)
Currency:Euro (€)
Number of e-commerce users:41 million
(January 2020)
Revenue in e-commerce market:£14.12 billion
Estimated market growth:7.3% to £18.75 billion by 2024

Italian thresholds and additional summary:

Distance Selling Threshold (DST)€35,000
Intrastat Thresholds:

Dispatches:
€400,000

Arrivals:
€800,000

VAT number format:IT 12345678901
VAT return period:
Quarterly 
VAT return deadlineThe 16th month following quarter period end
Annual VAT filing deadline:30 April of the following year reporting
EC sales lists reportingMonthly or quarterly

Need help expanding to Italy?

Contact AVASK's International Business Development Team Today!

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Franco Aiello

International Business Development Officer

Location: Southampton, UK
Tel: +44 (0)23 8060 0120


Book an Appointment
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Cristian Argiolas

International Business Development Officer

Location: Southampton, UK
Tel: +44 (0)23 8060 0120


Book an Appointment
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Virginio Marchetta

Import & Export Administrator

Location: Southampton, UK
Tel: +44 (0)23 8060 0120


Book an Appointment