Italian Tax Code for Australian citizens
How an Australian Citizen Can Obtain an Italian Tax Code
Introduction
It often happens that an Australian citizen living in Australia may receive an inheritance from Italy.
To transfer ownership of inherited assets, certain tax-related procedures must be completed. To do this, an Italian tax code is required.
Let's see what a tax code is, what it's used for, and how to apply for one from Australia through the Italian Consulates.
1. Inheritance/Succession Declaration
When you receive an inheritance in Italy, to become the owner of the assets you must first lodge the inheritance declaration with the Revenue Agency.
This document has the main purpose of disclosing to the Italian Tax Office the list of inherited assets and to calculate and pay any inheritance taxes.
To carry out this procedure, each beneficiary shall provide the tax office with their Italian tax code.
2. What is the tax code?
The tax code is an alphanumeric code (letters and numbers) that uniquely identifies each person in their dealings with Italian government agencies, banks, individuals and organizations.
For individuals, it is calculated automatically based on their personal details: name, surname, date, and place of birth.
3. What is the tax code used for?
The tax code is required for:
- signing contracts (sale, rental, loan for use, etc.);
- opening a bank account in Italy;
- paying taxes and duties;
- accepting an inheritance;
- applying for loans or grants.
Essentially, the tax code is used for any legal or fiscal dealing.
4. How to apply for a tax code from Australia
Australian residents can obtain a tax code through Italian consulates. Each consulate has jurisdiction over a specific geographical area. Their contact details are listed below:
Consulate | Area of Competence |
Nuovo Galles del Sud (escluse Queanbeyan e Cooma), Isole Norfolk | |
Melbourne | Victoria e Tasmania |
Adelaide | South Australia |
Queensland e Northern Territory | |
Western Australia, Christmas Islands e Cocos (Keeling) Islands |
5. Procedure for Applying for a Tax Code
Australian citizens may apply for a tax code when required to settle their tax or legal affairs in Italy (such as in the case of an inheritance).
Australian citizens residing in Australia must:
1. Complete an application Form that can be downloaded from the website of the local Italian consulate;
2. Send it via email to the local consulate;
3. Attach a copy of their identification document and proof of address in Australia.
The tax code is then sent to the applicant via email.
6. Conclusions
Obtaining an inheritance in Italy while living in Australia is possible, but it requires careful planning.
The first step is to apply for an Italian tax code, which is essential for completing the inheritance declaration and transferring ownership of the assets.
The procedure is:
- simple, because it can be done via email;
- free, because there are no fees;
- fast, thanks to the services of the Italian consulates in Australia.
