Dear Kai, the laws may change without you knowing it. I suggest you look at an article in the May issue of Tuscany's Grapevine Magazine (www.luccagrapevine.com), entitled "The Tuscan Dream: Responsibilities and Obligations".Good luck!
If you decide to rent, I suggest you try www.vrbo.com/576618. Americans Jim and Debra have made a beautiful, tranquil country home with pool near Lucca, one of the most fascinating towns in Italy, only an hour from Florence.
When I moved to Italy 20 years ago, an Italian friend told me that most Italians rely on professionals for these matters. My IMU is calculated by a geometra (in English, surveyor). This service is not expensive and eliminates the headache of calculating the IMU twice a year (laws change frequently and expert advice is useful). For taxes in general, an accountant is needed. There are also Sindicati (unions) in every town that provide free advice on such matters, sometimes charging a small fee for signing up with the sindicato. But the sindicati are often crowded, while private professionals are quick, efficient and quite worth the money. If one is fluent in Italian, the Comune's information service can probably help in many cases. Obviously some Comunes are more efficient than others....
Happiness in Italy is as natural as ice cream! The main thing is to slow down. Take time to talk to people, eat slowly, enjoy the sunshine, visit the beaches, mountains and villages. Newcomers can easily get to know Italians by offering free language exchanges.Once you have decided that you are in love with Italy, if you are lucky you will fall in love with an Italian. Then you may never leave! You will probably gain a whole new family, and grow old as Italians do, sipping your wine or slurping your ice cream in the sunset. And to fully enjoy that experience, you need to practice the virtues of tolerance, patience and understanding.
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Dear Kai, the laws may change without you knowing it. I suggest you look at an article in the May issue of Tuscany's Grapevine Magazine (www.luccagrapevine.com), entitled "The Tuscan Dream: Responsibilities and Obligations".Good luck!
I know of a village house near Pescia for £85,000 (neg.). Please call 39 0583 909012.
If you decide to rent, I suggest you try www.vrbo.com/576618. Americans Jim and Debra have made a beautiful, tranquil country home with pool near Lucca, one of the most fascinating towns in Italy, only an hour from Florence.
When I moved to Italy 20 years ago, an Italian friend told me that most Italians rely on professionals for these matters. My IMU is calculated by a geometra (in English, surveyor). This service is not expensive and eliminates the headache of calculating the IMU twice a year (laws change frequently and expert advice is useful). For taxes in general, an accountant is needed. There are also Sindicati (unions) in every town that provide free advice on such matters, sometimes charging a small fee for signing up with the sindicato. But the sindicati are often crowded, while private professionals are quick, efficient and quite worth the money. If one is fluent in Italian, the Comune's information service can probably help in many cases. Obviously some Comunes are more efficient than others....
p.s. I live in Lucca....
Happiness in Italy is as natural as ice cream! The main thing is to slow down. Take time to talk to people, eat slowly, enjoy the sunshine, visit the beaches, mountains and villages. Newcomers can easily get to know Italians by offering free language exchanges.Once you have decided that you are in love with Italy, if you are lucky you will fall in love with an Italian. Then you may never leave! You will probably gain a whole new family, and grow old as Italians do, sipping your wine or slurping your ice cream in the sunset. And to fully enjoy that experience, you need to practice the virtues of tolerance, patience and understanding.