Introduction

      The taxation of outbound dividends has been the subject of intense litigation in Italy and across Europe, particularly where non-E.U. entities are treated less favorably than similarly situated EU-based or domestic recipients operating in similar circumstances. Recent rulings by Italian courts following the European Court of Justice (ECJ) confirm that withholding tax on dividends

      On October 9, 2023, the last Ministerial Decree required for the final implementation of Italy’s Register of Trusts was published, and the Register of Trusts is now in effect. The initial filing deadline is December 11, 2023. The filing in the Register is required for domestic trusts, private foundations, and similar legal arrangements, defined as

      On October 16, the Council of Ministers approved a legislative proposal that will repeal the special tax regime for new resident workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals with effect from January 1, 2024.

      The special regime, enacted in its final form in 2020, allows Italian and foreign nationals who establish their tax residence in Italy while not

      In its Ruling n. 309 of April 28, 2023 (Risposta-n.-309_2023-1.pdf) the Italian Tax Agency addresses the issue of taxation to Italian beneficiaries with respect to distributions from a U.S. Trust.

      Background

      Under Italy’s tax law, trusts are classified in one of three ways, with different tax consequences for the trust, the settlor, and

      In its ruling no. 267, dated March 27, 2023 (Risposta-n.-267_2023.pdf), the Italian Tax Agency addressed a case involving a trust where the Settlor reserved the power to revoke and replace the Guardian and retained certain powers related to the shares of a company he transferred to the trust, including the power to appoint

      With its ruling n. 251, issued on March 16, 2023 (n. 251 of March 16, 2023), the Italian tax agency addressed the issue of the tax classification of a Family Trust and a Testamentary Trust that were funded and started operating following the death of the settlor.

      Background

      Under Italy’s tax law, trusts are classified

      On September 1, 2022, the Italian Supreme Court issued a ruling (n. 25698) in a case concerning a distribution from a U.S. partnership treated as a taxable dividend in Italy. The dividend was taxed by way of a substituted tax, and Italian tax law did not allow a credit for the income tax paid the

      In its Ruling n.83 of February 14, 2022, the Italian Tax Agency confirmed that Italy’s substituted tax regime (so-called flat tax, or forfeit) for high net worth individuals applies in a case in which international executives or managers of multinational companies perform their functions partly in Italy and partly outside of Italy, where the group’s

      On October 20, 2022, Italy’s Tax Administration issued Circular 34/E providing final guidance on the Italian taxation of trusts. One section of the guidance discusses the new anti-abuse rule on the taxation of income distributions from foreign trusts to Italian resident beneficiaries. Article 44, paragraph 1, letter g-sexies of the Italian Income Tax Code