Italy - the new tax affecting aircrafts

I receive many questions from foreign pilots about the new tax. So I
thought I might spread the news here too.

So far, many details of the new tax are undefined. The government has
set the rule, but it won't be implemented in real life until the Tax
Agency defines the operational details, who, how and when to pay.
That is, we have to wait until Feb. 26th.

The rule introduces a tax on every private aircraft (exceptions for
aircraft owned by clubs, airline operators and so on and on). Power
planes are taxed with reference to the all up mass. Helicopters pay
double than planes of the same weight.

Gliders, balloons and gyros have been imposed a fixed annual tax of
450 Euros, be they registered in the Italian CAA or in any other
aviation registry.
The crucial point for foreigners is "comma 14-bis". The tax is "due by
any aircraft (still the exemptions above apply) that stays on Italian
territory for more than 48 consecutive hours".

Now, if the Tax Agency will not clarify that this applies in fact only
to Italian residents, who own such aircraft, there is the risk that
all visitors from any nationality should pay.

In summary, there is the potential for destroying aviation tourism in
Italy, or maybe it will "just" be a new tax for us Italians.


still, happy landings in 2012!

aldo cernezzi
www.voloavela.it