Italy’s Tax Administration in ruling 54 of March 3, 2009 clarified that debt instruments issued by Italian limited liability companies (SRLs) can qualify as debt obligations for tax purposes, and interest paid thereunder can be eligible for the exemption from Italian tax (portfolio interest exemption) fore foreign investors, if the instrument is not part of a permanent establishment of the foreign investor in Italy and the foreign investor otherwise qualifies for the exemption by reasons of being resident or domiciled in an approved jurisdiction (white-listed country).