Italy to Impose New Tax on Yachts

[goboatingnow]

I see that as part of the new austerity measures, Italy is to introduce taxes on yachts, high performance cars and private planes. Well that's it then the Ferrari and the jet will have to go

Dave.

[Mexdon]

May be able to pick up a couple of cheap Wally's.

[jzk]

Along with the workers that build such items...

[Charlie]

Look how well that worked in California. A once thriving aerospace and boat building industry all but gone. The tax wasn't the only thing that caused them to disappear but it was the straw that broke the camels back.

[multihullsailor6]

Well for sailing boats it will effect us as follows, courtosy of the British Cruising Association:
"The newly appointed Italian government has presented parliament with
a set of austerity measures to save the Italian economy. As it stands,
boat owners / users (including foreign visiting yachts) will be
subjected to a daily tax for the duration of their stay within italian
waters. This will come into effect on the 1st May 2012 and the
proposed tax per day is as follows:

a) euro 5 - from 10,01m to 12m;

b) euro 8 - 12,01m to 14m;

c) euro 10 - 14,01m to 17m;

d) euro 30 - 17,01m to 24m;

e) euro 90 - 24,01 to 34m;

f) euro 207 - 34,01m to 44m;

g) euro 372 - 44,01m to 54m;

h) euro 521 - 54,01m to 64m;

I) euro 703 - above 64m.

The above measurements are intended as overall length in accordance
with EN/ISO/DIS 8666 Small Craft Principal Data.

The above daily tax rates will be reduced by 50% for all sailing
yachts with an auxiliary engine. It is however still unclear whether
this reduction will be restricted to sailing yachts between 10 and 12m
or whether the 50% reduction will apply to any sailing yacht of any
length..

Further reductions of the above rates will be applied to all yachts in
accordance with the age of the yacht calculated with effect from the
1st january subsequent to the year of manufacture. The reductions are
as follows:

- 5 years and over - 15%;
- 10 years and over - 30%;
- 15 years and over - 40%.

All yachts undergoing yard maintenance will not be liable to pay tax
for the duration of works.

The penalty for late, partial or non payment of the tax will be a
charge between 200 and 300 % over and above the amount of tax evaded."

Latest news received indicates the age reduction has been scrapped.

I think this is a stupid and outrageous tax with which the Italians will shoot themselves in their feet! Anyother attempt to ruin their boating industry!

I for myself will happily boycott them and sail straight to / from Malta and Tunisia!

[sailorboy1]

sh*t another place I will not be able to go to now unless I only take my 10 foot, 15 year old dinghy

[Southern Star]

Lets not get too excited - whether we like it or not, there are a number of countries that charge for 'cruising permits' and this is really no different. Visiting yachters make use of their charts, bouyage system, dredging in harbours and navigable waterways and, if necessary, their coast guard. In addition, our boats add to water pollution (from our grey water) and air pollution (when our engines are operating). Why shouldn't we contribute to the cost of maintaining these services, especially in light of their current financial difficulties?

If I understand it correctly, the cost for my boat would be 8 Euro's daily, reduced by 50% as it is a sailing auxilliary. In otherwords, only 4 Euros a day - and there would be an exemption if I am having it hauled out and/or serviced; and potentially a further reduction of 40%, as she is more than 15 years old. If the 'age reduction' is in fact maintained, my daily fee would be only 2.4 euros daily!

Brad

[sailorboy1]

why/how does the age of a boat effect Italy's costs to allow you be in their waters?

[marshmat]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

why/how does the age of a boat effect Italy's costs to allow you be in their waters?

The assumption is that if you own a newer boat, you can afford to pay more. That provision might not be kept, though.

At first glance the daily rates don't look too unreasonable, but they would add up quickly, especially so if you're a fan of long, light, efficient hull designs.

The real question is whether enforcement efforts will be polite and civilized, or aggressive and confrontational. Countries that take a polite approach to visitor fees generally find it doesn't cause too much trouble. Those that get confrontational and militant about it tend to find their tourism industry vanishes rather quickly.

[Buena Vista]

How do you suppose they will calculate the tax as it does not appear necessary to clear in or out when coming from other EU countries (we tried a few times earlier this year which was met puzzled looks)? Likewise when hopping between say Corsica and Sardinia.

Brownie

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Buena Vista

How do you suppose they will calculate the tax as it does not appear necessary to clear in or out when coming from other EU countries (we tried a few times earlier this year which was met puzzled looks)? Likewise when hopping between say Corsica and Sardinia.

Brownie

It will just be added to your marina bill like VAT is currently

Dave

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

It will just be added to your marina bill like VAT is currently

Dave

And if you don't stay in a Marina?

While it isn't a large sum of money per day it adds up to a lot when you store your yacht in Italy. Last Year I spent over Euro 7k in Italy but If I have to pay the tax when not using the boat I will spend time in a different country and they shoot themselves in the foot.

Because of this I won't be leaving my boat in Italy at the end of the season but will take it to France. The cost for my 1981 10m sailboat with an auxillary engine would be Euro 912.5. Depending on the rate that is closing in on two boat bucks. France here I come.

[Buena Vista]

Originally Posted by Charlie

And if you don't stay in a Marina? While it isn't a large sum of money per day it adds up to a lot when you store your yacht in Italy. Because of this I won't be leaving my boat in Italy at the end of the season but will take it to France. The cost for my 1981 10m sailboat with an auxillary engine would be Euro 912.5. Depending on the rate that is closing in on two boat bucks. France here I come.

Exactly my thoughts, we don't stay in marinas all the time. Also, although they give you relief when being repaired, there appears nothing there for leaving a boat over winter, I am sure this will hurt the marinas

Our boat is currently in San Remo, but we had planned to go to the eastern med next year anyway.

Brownie

[SunDevil]

What if you aren't staying in a marina? I would think that you would still need to check in at the first port though, and when leaving the country check out? I had to do that as a train tourist in Europe.

What if your boat is under 10.01m (32.8 ft)?

That is a serious progressive tax though. I think the large boats will be setting off for distant ports.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Seems quite fair to me ..........At 9.09 Metres .

Just got to make sure when I fit a bowsprit that it is retractable.