gromits

Hi Tutti
We are looking to set up a small business Looking after Expats homes and Rental Properties Around the Bagni Di Lucca area, providing Housekeeping and Maintenance Services. Has anyone got any advice or experience in Setting up a Business regarding Registration, Costs for registration, Taxes etc etc. Any advice gratefully received.

Lorna at Vicenza

I've been here a long time and worked in various offices at both commercial and adminsitrative level ..... but I would not attempt to set up a business here without help.

I suggest setting up a meeting with a good commercialista (accountant) and going with a large pad and pen. He should be able to organise most things for you ....like getting a brand new Partita IVA (VAT number) but he will also tell you if you personally have to go to any other offices so write it all down carefully. He should also be able to tell you what the best type of fiscal title your business should have ... ie, will it be Artisan, will it be Inc will it be Ltd (to use a few Brit examples).
Artigiani companies pay less tax in Italy but still be prepared to pay a lot more than in the UK.

gromits

Thanks Lorna. Yes we were going to visit a commercialista and also visit the Local Chamber Of Commerce. To start with it will only be my wife and I who are involved and we don't anticipate a very large fiscal turnover for a number of years, so if set up costs are too high we may try it out 'in the black' if you know what I mean. But I will get some professional advice. Thanks again.
G

Jonnie-falafel

Are there IVA thresholds in Italy like most other EU countries. Currently, in the UK you don't even have to register with HMRC to get a VAT number if your annual turnover is going to be less than £60,000. Also, whilst you may pay more direct taxes in Italy you'll pay much less in things like Council Tax and, if you have premises, business rates. In the UK my personal Council taxes add up to nearly £2000 a year and my business rates are £8,500.

SardiniaYogi

There is an excellent site called HowtoItaly, they have also written a book which has loads of information about setting up on your own in Italy....

gromits

Thanks All I'll have a look at that site, and also as we would be lucky to gross 60k in our first never mind third year I think we may do in without official sanction if you know whta I mean.

purplesally

Hi Gromits
I just opened a Paritia IVA as a "libera professionista" and off I went. Didn't cost anything. You have to pay taxes on earnings over €30K, as far as I know. And be sure to get yourself well documented on how to keep receipts for the end of year tax return. It's not the same as the UK. You have to get a "Fattura", a simple receipt is not good enough. Ask, ask, ask is my advice. When are you coming? Good luck with the prep.

Lorna at Vicenza

can I be cheeky and ask what you are doing as a Libera professionista ???

feel free to not reply.

lisajhb

I got myself a partita iva too years ago now, but havent used it. i got it so i could advertise my services as an english teacher, and i did some courses in a hired classroom at a cultural centre. i made a great show of giving reciepts and so on but as we were talking peanuts my comercialista just laughed when i went in with them. all this was just in case anyone should ask. my advice would be to be very careful of working in black as they say. if you want to avoid the taxman be clever about it, be furbo! to echo the last person, whose name i cant see anymore as i am typing this reply sorry, ask ask ask.

Lorna at Vicenza

you are allowed to work and give receipts up to 3 thousand euro per annum without declaring any tax earnings or even having a partita IVA.

gromits

Thanks All.
We have started to ask various people in the know around here with small businesses, and most say that unless you are going to gross 30 - 40k a year not worth getting involved with Tax Man, as they assume your hiding income if around the lower figure. Advised to see how your first year is looking after 6-9 months and if doing better than expected start down the Legal Route. As we're going to be tapping into the black ecomony of the expat world, I think we'll avoid the expense of a trip to the commercialista and suck it and see.
TTFN

purplesally

Of course - I started teaching/translating and am still doing that as well as working on a website.