The sale of real estate properties in Italy is sanctioned through a notarial deed. At the time of the aforementioned deed, the buyer will have to bear the cost of registration tax or VAT, depending on whether the seller is a natural person or a company.
Tax rates with the distinction by buyer categories
- 2% of the cadastral value of the main building for residential use asking for the 'first home' facility (the buyer has 18 months, starting from the date of the notarial deed, to take up residence in the municipality where the property);
- 9% on the cadastral value of the properties if the "first home" facility is not requested, on all the properties except the one where the facility was requested;
- 4% (VAT) on the declared price for the main residential property asking for 'first home' concessions if the seller is a company (the buyer has 18 months of time, starting from the date of the notarial deed , to take up residence in the municipality where the property is located);
- 10% (VAT) on the declared price for all properties if the 'first home' concession is not requested if the seller is a company and in any case on all properties except the one where the concession was requested;
- 12% on the declared price for agricultural land if the buyer is a natural person;
- 20% of the declared price for all properties if the selling party is a company whose business object does not provide for the purchase and sale of real estate properties;
- 11% on the declared price for agricultural land if the buyer declares that he possesses the requirements to be considered an 'agricultural entrepreneur' (and in any case has three years from the time of the notarial deed to demonstrate that he has acquired this position);
- 8% on the declared price for agricultural land if the buyer declares that he possesses the requirements to be considered a 'direct farmer' (and in any case has three years from the time of the notarial deed to demonstrate that he has acquired this position);
- If the property is owned by a company, it is possible to transfer the shares of the company and in this case the buyer will have to pay a fixed tax of about 1,000 euros.
To better clarify the various cases, below we list some examples considering a property with a main house, an annex and land.
1) BUYER AND SELLER ARE TWO PHYSICAL PEOPLE
A) Taking residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 3% on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% on the price declared for the annex; -
18% on the declared price for the land.
B) Without residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 10% on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% on the declared price for the annex:
- 18% on the declared price for the land.
2) THE PURCHASER IS A PHYSICAL PERSON AND THE SELLER IS A COMPANY
A) Taking residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 4% (VAT) on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% (VAT) on the price declared for the annex;
- 18% (VAT) on the declared price for the land:
- 20% (VAT) on the price of the sale if the seller was a company that does not have the purchase of real estate properties as its corporate purpose.
B) Without residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 10% (VAT) on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% (VAT) on the price declared for the annex;
- 18% (VAT) on the declared price for the land:
- 20% (VAT) on the price of the sale if the seller was a company that does not have the purchase of real estate properties as its corporate purpose.
3) THE PURCHASER IS AN AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEUR OR DECLARES THAT HE WILL FUN
A) Taking residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 3% on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% on the price declared for the annex;
- 11% on the declared price for the land.
B) Without residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 10% on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% on the price declared for the annex;
- 11% on the declared price for the land.
4) THE PURCHASER IS A DIRECT CULTIVATOR OR DECLARES THAT HE WILL HAVE FUN
A) Taking residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 4% on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% on the price declared for the annex;
- 1% on the declared price for the land.
B) Without residence, the buyer will have to pay:
- 10% on the declared price for the main house;
- 10% on the price declared for the annex;
- 1% on the declared price for the land. The above rates are subject to change by the competent authority.