Real estate purchase costs
When buying real estate in a new building, an amount is paid in the amount of VAT 10% of the sale value of the object. If real estate is purchased on the secondary market, then a registration fee of 9% of the cadastral value of the object is paid, which may be significantly lower than the selling price. Provided that the foreign owner within 18 months after the purchase transfers the purchased housing to the rezidenza format (since he draws up a residence permit and becomes a resident of Italy at the address of the purchased property), then he can take advantage of preferential tax rates when buying a first house: 4% VAT when buying a new home or pay 2% for the registration fee when purchasing a secondary property. If it is not possible to issue a rezidenza within 18 months after the purchase, then this benefit will be canceled, as a result of which you will have to pay the difference in tax, as well as a penalty that can be minimized if you voluntarily report the impossibility of fulfilling the specified period.
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At the same time, the owner (foreigner or Italian citizen), in order not to lose this benefit, should not sell the object earlier than 5 years after the purchase. If, nevertheless, he decides to sell the house before the expiration of the 5-year period, then he can retain the benefit if, within 1 year after the sale, he acquires new real estate, for which he will issue a rezidenza.
Registration, mortgage and cadastral fees are 50 euros each when it comes to buying a second home (total 150 euros), and 200 euros when buying a new home (total 600 euros). It is also necessary to include the registration costs in the form of a preliminary agreement - they can vary, but usually they are at least 350 euros: a flat rate of 200 euros, a payment of 0.5 to 3% of the amount of the deposit or advance, as well as a stamp duty. Also, expenses from 850 euros and more are paid for an interpreter and a witness during the execution of a notarial deed - there is no escape from them if the buyer does not speak Italian.
Every year, the buyer will need to pay the unified municipal tax (IUS), consisting of the costs of city services (TASI - Tassa sui Servizi Indivisibili), garbage collection (TARI-TAssa RIfiuti) and real estate tax (IMU - Imposta Municipale Unica). They may vary depending on the specific region of Italy. IMU is calculated based on the cadastral value of the property (from 0.4 to 0.7% of the cost of housing, depending on the commune). At the same time, since 2015, owners of real estate who enjoy the privilege when buying their first home, which is the main place of residence (prima casa), have been exempted from the IMU.
TASI is a municipal utility tax that includes the cost of lighting, greening, street cleaning and other services. It, like TARI, must be paid by all owners or tenants of real estate, without exception.
Utility costs depend on the size of the property, its infrastructure (swimming pool, security, etc.) and in which region it is located. Typically, costs are around 500-6000 euros per year - the most budget option is usually in Calabria, although the quality will most likely be appropriate. And the maintenance of a house in Tuscany and Abruzzo will be one of the most expensive in Italy, but the level of infrastructure will be commensurate.
Since in some communes the owners receive calculations for annual taxes by mail, and in other regions this does not happen, the owner is responsible for calculating taxes himself and making the payment. At the same time, if mistakes are made in the calculation, then you will have to pay a fine, therefore, both local residents and foreigners sometimes hire a tax consultant to carry out calculations, spending 50 euros on this or contact the state support service, where the cost of such a service is much less, but will have to stand in a live queue for an appointment.
Taxes for non-residents
Foreigners in Italy should prepare for a progressive income tax for a non-resident in the amount of 23% to 43%, which is also charged from 0.9% to 1.4% from local authorities, as well as municipal fees in the amount of 0.8% of income ... Income tax applies to income earned only in Italy, while between Russia and Italy there is a law on the avoidance of double taxation. In matters related to real estate, this can become a tax on income from the rental of real estate at the standard rates listed above, from which the costs of maintaining and repairing housing are deducted (they cannot be more than 30% of the actual profit).
Sale, inheritance and donation of real estate
If a foreigner sells his home in Italy, which he has owned for less than 5 years (which in itself becomes an increase in the value of his capital), then he will have to pay the amount according to income tax rates. If the property has been owned for more than 5 years, then the sale is not taxed.
Inheritance and gift tax is 4% for spouses and next of kin, provided that the amount for each heir does not exceed 1 million euros), 6% for distant relatives, 8% for other heirs.
Additional expenses
Usually in Italy the payment for notary services is 1-3% of the cost of the purchased property - the lower the cost of housing, the higher the rate will be. On average, the payment usually takes about 2,500 euros. The cost of a realtor's work is traditionally 3-4%, but it may decrease to 2% if the purchase price exceeds 1 million euros.
Thank you for your help in preparing the material:
Olga Moskaleva, expert at Comosardinia-Estate
Source: //www.homesoverseas.ru/articles/9313
Alexey Azarov, director of AzarovS company
Irina Vyaznikova, expert at Dolce Calabria
Ekaterina Elizarova, Director of the Representative Office in Russia Palazzo Estate SRL
