- There is NO wealth or inheritance tax in Italy
- Sales taxes (like VAT) are high on items like petrol, cigarettes and cars
- Many people work unofficially, avoiding income tax. For official workers income tax ranges from 15%-45% depending on earnings.

Taxes on property:

- Purchase registration tax of 3-4% if your main residence, 10% if a second home
- Local property tax 'ICI' - 0.4 to 0.7% of property value
- Capital gains - only payable for the first 5 years

Everyone in Italy must have a tax code number (codice fiscale) - required for almost all paperwork: opening a bank account, signing official contracts (including with utility companies), starting a job, buying or registering a car and so on. Take your passport to the provincial tax office ('ufficio imposte') and your codice fiscale will be issued to you.

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