Hi Fulton, no we are under Apricale. Not sure he's "our" geometra yet. We're going to try him out on the "accadastamento" and see how we go. He doesn't speak English. I believe La DolceVita's architect does speak English.
It does not work the same way as the UK I'm afraid. It is much, much more complicated and you will definitely need an Italian accountant. Your basic assumption is correct but there are various tax regimes that have different tax rates and allowable expenses. Some allow you to deduct IVA and some don't. Each type of business has a code and this governs what regime you can have and the basis for your INPS payments. You will need a Partita IVA (Italian VAT code). Different business codes have different requirements for the payment of INPS (Italian National Insurance) and you may find that you have to pay the minimum INPS contributions (around €3,000) regardless of whether you sell a single thing. There is also the wonderful Studio di Settore, where the taxman checks certain groups of business codes for 3 years and if he thinks you haven't declared enough income will send you a tax bill based on what he thinks you should have invoiced. Nice eh?! You will also need to look into your insurance obligations (especially public liability). All in all, if you can keep your business based in the UK I would recommend it.
There is no obligation to insure your property unless you have a mortgage on it in which case the bank will usually take ut a policy that you pay for annually to cover the building. As for utilities, it depends on if your have a "condominio" in which case certain things like water & heating might be centralised and you pay a fixed monthly fee (to whoever administers the condominio) to cover this. Otherwise you need to get the utilities transferred into your name or reconnected. You also need to tell the comune you will be paying the refuse tax and remember to pay your ICI as most comunes send no bill.
I read today that the SCIA covers building permissions and setting up new businesses. The comune has 60 days to object but can only do so in cases of threats to the architectural heritage of the area, national security, health and safety etc etc. You can start work immediately without waiting for the 60 days to pass (which seemed a bit odd to me - why would you do that?) and must start within 12 months. Maybe this part is more aimed at new businesses rather than building projects. It was a very short article so that was all it said really. Great news for people starting businesses as we no longer need to apply for a licence.
You're welcome Angie & Robert. Hope what I suggested works. If you want a true picture of the speed of your connection and to be 100% sure there is no problem with internal wiring or other appliances do the following:
Unplug anything that uses the phone line, including SKY boxes and faxes
If you're using a wireless connection then plug your computer into the router/modem (it should automatically "find" the cable connection, if not you will need to reboot your computer)
Make sure your modem/router is plugged into the main telepone socket (i.e. where the actual physical phoneline first enters the house)
If your connection is now faster/more reliable (depending on your problem) you should now plug in each appliance one by one and do a speed test after you have done this to recheck the connection speed (or check the reliability of the connection by browsing for a bit). You can do a speed test here: http://www.speedtest.net This will identify any appliances that are degrading your connection. If your connection is now faster/more reliable (depending on your problem) but plugging in the appliances does not identify a fault, I would suggest you have either:
an internal wiring problem
or there is a problem with your wireless connection (only if you are using wireless and it is quicker when plugged in via a cable)
If the connection is no different after following the 3 steps above then it is either:
your modem/router (easily checked by borrowing someone else's and trying it on your line and computer)
or a physical problem with the line outside the house so you need to contact Telecom Italia
or it is just the way it is (as very well described by Allan Mason above)
Comments posted
Hi Fulton, no we are under Apricale. Not sure he's "our" geometra yet. We're going to try him out on the "accadastamento" and see how we go. He doesn't speak English. I believe La DolceVita's architect does speak English.
The Ariston Nuos looks very interesting. Have you had any experience of it?
You can buy Brussels Sprouts here
It does not work the same way as the UK I'm afraid. It is much, much more complicated and you will definitely need an Italian accountant. Your basic assumption is correct but there are various tax regimes that have different tax rates and allowable expenses. Some allow you to deduct IVA and some don't. Each type of business has a code and this governs what regime you can have and the basis for your INPS payments. You will need a Partita IVA (Italian VAT code). Different business codes have different requirements for the payment of INPS (Italian National Insurance) and you may find that you have to pay the minimum INPS contributions (around €3,000) regardless of whether you sell a single thing. There is also the wonderful Studio di Settore, where the taxman checks certain groups of business codes for 3 years and if he thinks you haven't declared enough income will send you a tax bill based on what he thinks you should have invoiced. Nice eh?! You will also need to look into your insurance obligations (especially public liability). All in all, if you can keep your business based in the UK I would recommend it.
There is no obligation to insure your property unless you have a mortgage on it in which case the bank will usually take ut a policy that you pay for annually to cover the building. As for utilities, it depends on if your have a "condominio" in which case certain things like water & heating might be centralised and you pay a fixed monthly fee (to whoever administers the condominio) to cover this. Otherwise you need to get the utilities transferred into your name or reconnected. You also need to tell the comune you will be paying the refuse tax and remember to pay your ICI as most comunes send no bill.
sorry - missed that!
Does anyone have a definition of a "pertinenza" for these purposes? Thanks
I read today that the SCIA covers building permissions and setting up new businesses. The comune has 60 days to object but can only do so in cases of threats to the architectural heritage of the area, national security, health and safety etc etc. You can start work immediately without waiting for the 60 days to pass (which seemed a bit odd to me - why would you do that?) and must start within 12 months. Maybe this part is more aimed at new businesses rather than building projects. It was a very short article so that was all it said really. Great news for people starting businesses as we no longer need to apply for a licence.
Robbiemarche - consider a building plot too rather than knocking down an old building. There are plenty around and in nice positions too.
You're welcome Angie & Robert. Hope what I suggested works. If you want a true picture of the speed of your connection and to be 100% sure there is no problem with internal wiring or other appliances do the following:
If your connection is now faster/more reliable (depending on your problem) you should now plug in each appliance one by one and do a speed test after you have done this to recheck the connection speed (or check the reliability of the connection by browsing for a bit). You can do a speed test here: http://www.speedtest.net This will identify any appliances that are degrading your connection. If your connection is now faster/more reliable (depending on your problem) but plugging in the appliances does not identify a fault, I would suggest you have either:
If the connection is no different after following the 3 steps above then it is either:
Hope that helps.