Tax Police in Milan Blitz

A Journalist Films the Tax Cops in Via Paolo Sarpi, Milan

There's something of an anti tax evasion blitz going on in Italy at present.  First over the Christmas vacation, tax cops descended upon the up market Dolomite ski resort of Cortina and, curiously, boosted the income of most of the businesses in the area - the same happened in Milan.Next, it … [Read more...]

Tax Inspectors Boost Luxury Sales in Cortina, Italy

Cortina, italy - tax evaders paradise

Hard to believe, I know, but a team of 8o from Italy's Guardia di Finanza tax police generated a whopping 400% increase in sales of luxury goods in the upmarket ski resort of Cortina.  Restaurant incomes shot up by an equally impressive 300%!In actual fact, income levels in the area were … [Read more...]

The Invisible Man is Italian

A Recent Photograph of the Illusive Invisible Italian

It's true, the invisible man exists and he is Italian, and he led a life of luxury evading taxes.  He is no longer invisible though.Stories of tax evasion in Italy are legion, such the one about the guy who declared an income of €500 a year but somehow managed to run five Ferraris.  Well, … [Read more...]

Italy’s Well-Heeled Poor

The Owner of this Floating Gin Palace Earns €20,000 a year. Not.

That levels of tax evasion in Italy are laughably high is no secret.  Mario Monti, Italy's replacement for tax-evasion encouraging Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, is attempting to bring Italy's army of tax evaders to heel.One recently introduced, if not yet permanent, measure of the Monti-led … [Read more...]

Can Italians Justify Evading Taxes?

Tax evasion is a problem which costs Italy around €180 billion a year.  One of the reasons some employers in Italy give for not paying taxes is how much it costs to employ people.  Does it really cost so much to employ people in Italy?  I decided to do some digging and find out.Here are … [Read more...]