The Revenaut Italian Fiscal Guide (Edition III)

This time we’ve kept you waiting. However you all know there was a reason for it. People know what happened yesterday but who knows what will happen tomorrow? In this ever-changing world organizing a fiscal book is very complex and the risk to provide wrong guidance to the readers is just around the corner. Therefore we wanted to wait longer with the aim of providing a better advice. Here we go! Let us introduce you to The Revenaut (Il Fisconauta). Your right-hand man Commander Mark Question will guide you across the Fiscal Galaxy and you will land on the Plane-Tax to finally dominate this strange world. So, let’s not waste any more time and start exploring it! Inquire a copy of The Revenaut (Edition III) Italian Fiscal Guide by sending an email info@yachtwelfare.it.

Clarifications on excise duty and VAT exemption on fuel in Italy

Sanremo, June 29th 2021

According to our guidances recently released, it is confirmed that the Italian Customs Authority (Agenzia Dogane Monopoli) has allowed the use of an exemption on excise duty fuel for charter vessels, according to its Provision N. 199336 from 28th May 2021 (please see below to download it).

According to this, the bunkering of duty free fuel in Italy is still possible.

Also yachts can benefit from the exemption of VAT too.

Please find below our comprehensive chart to find out if you have the necessary requisite to bunker in exemption of excise and VAT.

For any additional info please inquire us to info@yachtwelfare.it


Declaration form for VAT Exemption (+70%) finally released

Italy, 15th June 2021

In regards to our recent news about the VAT exemption regime applicable to vessels chartering in Italy, the Italian Revenue Office (Agenzia Delle Entrate), according to the new Italian Budget Law 2021, has finally issued and released the necessary guidelines and declaration form to fulfill and file with electronical transmission.

The assigned number and details of the protocol attesting the successful transmission to the Revenue Office digital system must be kept on file and indicated in the invoices of the suppliers.

As a consequence of this, starting from 15th August 2021, the current procedure (the paper form to send to the Supplier) to obtain the VAT exemption will no longer be valid.

Please find below (also litsted into our DOWNLOAD area”) the Protocol RU-0151377 published on 15th June 2021 by The Italian Revenue Office along with the relevant guidelines.

Before executing the electronic transmission of the declaration form to the Italian Revenue Office, the owning company will need to perform the necessary calculation to confirm the +70% of trips at the international waters (high seas) as well as it needs to always keep the related evidences and documental proofs in case of any control or official audit (contracts, copy of the logbook, AIS data or data extracted from any other electronic on-board navigation, invoices and receipts) by the Authorities.

We point out that very strict penalties and sanctions are foreseen in the event of an official audit by the Italian Tax Authorities in the case that the owning company will not be able to demonstrate what has been declared. on this end, we strongly recommend to always keep on file for a minimum of 6 years all the necessary evidences confirming what it has been declared to the tax Authority on the electronic declaration form.

Yacht Welfare is at your disposal to provide further details.

Please feel free to contact us for more info and questions: info@yachtwelfare.it



Old VAT scheme still in force. Book your Italian Charter now!

Sanremo 5th October 2020

It definitely is the right time to book your Italian Charter for season 2021.

The Italian Agency of Revenue (Agenzia Delle Entrate) never ceases to amaze us. This time positively! This past 30th September the Resolution N. 62/E has been issued and released by Rome.

For all intents and purposes the new Resolution provides that the old VAT scheme (also known as the “6.6% rule”) will still remain applicable to all charter contracts concluded within 31st October 2020.

Please know that Resolution 62/E 2020 applies either to short term contract (Charter) and to long terms contract, leasing contract, rental contract and similar ones.

We need to remind you all that for the Italian law (art. 1326 Civil Code) the contract is concluded in the moment, in which the offeror gains the knowledge of the acceptation by the offeree.

The acceptation must reach the offeror by the time limit set up by himself or by the time usually necessary according to the nature of the contract or according to general use. The offeror can hold effective the late acceptation, if he informs the other party immediately about this decision. If the offeror requests a certain form for the acceptation, the acceptation has no effects if it is set up in another form. An acceptation not corresponding to the offer is a new offer.

An Addendum where new terms and conditions are agreed corresponds to a new contract.

Therefore be careful on later addendums as it all depends by the provisions (e.g. new departure place, etc.) contained into the contract agreement stipulated by the parties and the date when the contract agreement is considered as concluded by the law.

For any additional info or clarification please contact us to info@yachtwelfare.it.

Crazitaly! New VAT Rules Instantly Postponed!

Sanremo, July 21st 2020

It has all the makings of being an endless story.

Yes, Italy has changed his mind again!

Contrarily to what we have informed you about this past 16th June 2020 (see here for more info www.yachtwelfare.it/new-rules-in-italy) the new VAT rules (VAT at 22% due on actual time spent into EU waters) have unexpectedly been postponed to 1st November 2020.

The Italian Minister has now decided – with a huge delay – to follow in the footsteps of the French Finance Minister and so to suspend until 31st of October the application of the new VAT rules in order to revitalise the yachting industry, especially after the recent situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

So let’s keep the old rule (e.g. 6.6% flat-rate reductions on Charter Fee) with the purpose of implementing the Charter activity for the current summer season encouraging (is anybody feeling encouraged now?) tourists to come to Italy.

The above is part of the last “Simplification Decree” N. 76/2020 published on the Official Gazette (Gazzetta Ufficiale, Serie Generale N. 178 del 16/07/2020, Suppl. Ordinario N. 24), entered into force on July 17th 2020 (in which the word “April” – contained in subparagraph 726 of Law 27/12/2019 N. 160 – has been replaced by the word “November”).

Please inquire us to info@yachtwelfare.it for any questions and additional info.

We remain at your disposal.

Staff Yacht Welfare



New Rules in Italy

Sanremo, today 16th June 2020

As you all know, this past 25th May 2020 the Italian Revenue Office (Agenzia Delle Entrate) has put under Public Consultation (for more info see our news on 27th May 2020 here) a draft concerning the provisions for the application of the VAT reduction on Italian charters, according to the EU’s articles 56 and 59 of the EU VAT Directive 2006/112/CE.

The new regulations have been finally issued with Provision N. 234483/2020 by the Italian Revenue Office.

Therefore, as of yesterday, June 15th 2020, the VAT due on Italian charters must to be calculated on the basis of the actual time spent by the charter into the EU territorial waters.

As a logical consequence of this, the taxable amount will be subject to a pro-rata reduction based on the cruising outside the European territorial waters (international waters), according to the real time miles spent at “high sea” (international waters), in accordance to the hereinbefore mentioned article 59.

The new rule does not apply to any Italian charters signed before 15th June 2020 (date of release of the official Provision by the Agenzia Delle Entrate).


What do we need to do now on?

To put it quite simply:

Firstly Captains/Officers on board need to split the Charter time into two parts:

a. total hours spent into EU Waters (Italy, France, Spain, etc.).

b. total hours spent at the High Sea (International Waters).

Secondly, and particularly important, the following evidences/proofs must be collected, kept on file and submitted in case of inspections by the Authorities:

1. trip route cartography.

2. data/info extracted from satellite and/or navigation systems.

3. data/info extracted from transponder systems (e.g. AIS system).

4. logbook (ship’s log) and/or navigation log.

5. papers attesting any berth stay in non-EU ports (e.g. berth invoices, berth contracts agreements, arrival/departure formalities, etc.).

6. papers attesting any purchase of goods and/or services in non-EU shops/businesses.

7. the short-term Charter Agreement and/or analogue Contracts regarding the hire of the yacht.


The evidences collected must prove the maritime routes sailed by the yacht with extreme accuracy and coherence.

All the evidences/proofs collected must be kept on file for a period of time according to Art. 57, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Presidential Decree N. 633/1972 (therefore, until 31st Dec. of the fifth year subsequent to the year in which the Declaration has been filed or – in the event that the Declaration hasn’t been filed – until the 31st Dec. of the seventh year subsequent to the year in which the Declaration should have been filed).

To simplify the procedures and reduce the burden we – at Yacht Welfare – have set up a special form for all our Clients to summarize all the necessary data and info. This form is called PPNRF (Passage Plan & Navigation Report Form) and it is made in editable pdf file.

The PPNRF needs to be fulfilled in all its parts and sent back to us along with the necessary pictures, mini videoclips, logs, etc. annexed.

Yacht Welfare will keep assisting you by double checking the info provided.

Please feel free to inquire the PPNRF form emailing us to info@yachtwelfare.it



Public Consultation for VAT on Charters

Sanremo, today 27th May 2020

Following to our news released on 19th December 2019 (see here for more info: www.yachtwelfare.it/vatreduction) this past 25th May 2020 the Italian Revenue Office (Agenzia Delle Entrate) has finally put under Public Consultation a draft concerning the provisions for the application of the VAT reduction on Italian charters, according to the EU’s articles 56 and 59 of the EU VAT Directive 2006/112/CE.

The most credited method to calculate the actual VAT due would seem to be a pro-rata reduction based on the cruising outside the European territorial waters, according to the real time or to the actual cruising miles spent at “high sea” (international waters), in accordance to the hereinbefore mentioned article 59-a.

Therefore, the main focus is to find and agree the list of papers, equipment and methods to determine the actual use of the yacht outside the EU territorial waters and so the exact VAT due in Italy.

This Public Consultation can be found at this link https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/web/guest/consultazione-pubblica-del-25-maggio-2020 and it will be open to the professionals’ review and contributes until 3rd June 2020.

After this date, finally, the new law will come into force only from its official publication.

This also means that any charter signed before the official publication of the new law will be subject to the old legislation (e.g. 6.6% flat-rate reductions on Charter Fee).

Anyway there’s still the chance that the Italian Minister will decide to follow in the footsteps of the French Finance Minister and so to suspend until 2021 the implementation of the new regulation in order to revitalise the yachting industry, especially after the recent situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

We will let you know about the progress of this long-awaited decisions as soon as possible.

Stay tuned with us in the forthcoming weeks to know and assess the developments.

For any additional info or clarifications required please email us to info@yachtwelfare.it.



Italy is sailing again!

Italy is sailing again! With his last DPCM (Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers) released on May 16th 2020 the Italian Prime Minister expressly authorised the possibility to sail in Italy within the region of residence. This rule will last until 2nd June.

As of June 3rd 2020 the regional limit will fall and it will be possible to freely sail around all the Italian coasts.

Also – not less important – from this date June 3rd) the Italian Government will reopen the borders to all EU citizens without the need to spend quarantine periods.

This is the clear sign that the Mediterranean summer 2020 is finally started.

The charter sector has received the go-ahead for the measures to be taken for the resumption of the charter activity.

These measures consist in very simple procedures, most of which are now widely known to everyone.

Firstly it has been confirmed that a COVID-19 test will be required for the charter’s permanent crews, who will need to deal with many different guests, especially on large yachts.

Secondly the Ministry has pointed out that in pleasure yachting the individual responsibility is the essential element in making social distancing measures effective, therefore:

a. interpersonal distance of at least one meter

b. avoiding close contact

c. proper sanitization of spaces

d. nose and mouth protection for passengers

We must make it clear that the rules published by the Ministry regard pleasure yachting, chartering, renting as well as the management of ports and marinas.

Below you will find the key points to respect when sailing in Italian waters.


PRIVATE / PLEASURE YACHTS

The primary measure remains the “social distancing”. As you all know this means that persons need to stay at least one metre from each other, unless they are part of the same family or live together.

Even the relatives, if not living together, must respect the social distance of one person for each linear metre of the boat. The provision of personal protective equipment for passengers and the use of surface sanitizer are also mandatory.


COMMERCIAL / CHARTER YACHTS

The same preventive rules for private vessels apply to yachts engaged in charter activities. Only persons living in the same family are allowed to stay together in the same cabin.

The owner is required to sanitize all the yacht’s areas, including the engine room and services. Owners are also obliged to provide adequate supplies of sanitizing products as well as information signs, written in several languages, to make the charterer and his guests aware of the necessary social and hygienic measures to take.

Certain specific measures must be adopted by the crew; let’s see which ones.

Firstly crews have the obligation to use masks and gloves and any other protective equipment depending on the type of the boat and the particular circumstance, for instance during mooring, unmooring, bunkering and towing operations.

Also crews – being called in some cases to carry out first aid actions (as in the case of the Captain for whom the elementary first aid course and BLS is compulsory) – there should be the obligation to undergo a preventive (before boarding the yacht) and periodical first aid test at COVID-19, the result of which must be duly kept on board.

Further for each member of the crew is mandatory the measurement of the temperature on a daily basis.

The crew must also implement the prevention of unauthorized access to the ship to strangers, while in port or at sea.

Those who generally live in the same house are allowed to share accommodation in the same cabin.

What about guests?

Also for guests the general rules on social distancing and interpersonal prevention measures apply (i.e. one person per meter of the linear length of the boat, including crew members, unless the guests live together).


TOURIST PORTS AND MARINAS

The managers of Italian marinas must provide their ports with special information signs, written both in Italian and English language, on the measures of conduct to respect, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE/DPI), the installation of sanitizing dispensers on the docks, the limitation of movements, bans on gatherings and the respect for social distancing.


NAVIGATION AND SYSTEM RULES

It is mandatory to comply with the regulations for travel within the Region and between Regions and the respect of international anti-contagion laws during navigation outside national territorial waters.

As this is changing for the better day-by-day we strongly recommend all of you to stay tuned to our website www.yachtwelfare.it/news to know the latest updates.


WHAT ABOUT VAT?

For what is concerned to the VAT due on Italian charters, UCINA (Confindustria Nautica, the Italian Marine Industry Association) is still dealing with the Italian Authorities to postpone the application of the new law (see here for more info www.yachtwelfare.it/somegoodnews). Everything leads to the hope that Italy will quickly join the decision taken in France, repealing the provisions contained in the new law and giving continuity to the old flat rate reduction percentages scheme (i.e. taxation at 22% on 30% of the agreed Charter Fee for yachts over 24 metres, equal to the “quick” rate of 6.6%) in order to guaranteeing “certainty” for operators in the yachting sector, especially now that they have just started their activity again after this extraordinary situation and encouraging yachts to come to the Mediterranean for the charter season.

Please know that the old legislation (flat-rate reductions on Charter Fee) will still be effective in Italy until the publication by the Italian Tax Office of appropriate provisions containing the clear list of methods and means suitable to demonstrate the effective use of the service outside the European Union.

For any further info or questions please email us to info@yachtwelfare.it

We remain at your disposal

Staff @YACHT WELFARE



Charter in Italy allowed soon

Just few rules and formalities to fulfill …

To all our Clients and Followers,

we would like to inform you that, unlike in many other Countries of the Med which temporarily stopped the marine traffic, the ports in Italy and specifically Sanremo and Genoa are operational and open for technical calls (calls for tourism reasons are not currently allowed) and that we can assist any yachts wishing to call at Sanremo and Genoa with all the necessary formalities and authorizations.
Please find here below an overview on the procedures required a list of the necessary documents to be allowed to call here. 

ARRIVING IN ITALY

To be allowed to call at Sanremo and Genoa, every yacht needs to apply maximum 24 hours before the yacht’s arrival through a registered agent for the Libera Pratica Sanitaria (Free Health Practique) to the Health Maritime Office by filling in the “Declaration of Health”, a document containing the yacht’s details and some general information about the overall health status of the crew (which you can require emailing us to eva@mansuetomarine.it). Along with that, the Authorities need also copy of the below listed papers:

1) Yacht Certificate of Registry

2) insurance

3) crew list

4) a list showing the yacht’s last 10 ports of call

5) copy of the departure clearances from the last one

6) a declaration on letterhead signed by the Captain and stamped with the yacht’s stamp, stating the following information:

a. Reason of the call

b. Address where the crew members will spend their 14 days isolation period (the yacht’s name and berth are valid and enough)

c. Confirmation that no crew member had flu symptoms or fever for at least 14 days before the yacht’s arrival and possibly a report of every crew member’s daily temperature during the last 14 days before the yacht’s arrival.

Please be informed that, once arrived, all yachts and crews will have to enter a 14 days isolation period (from which the sailing days from the last port are deducted).

CREW MOVEMENTS

Any crew movements is currently subject to the Immigration Police and the Health Maritime Office approvals; in order have the embarkation or disembarkation of a crew member authorized, we need to provide them with the following information and documents: 

EMBARKING CREW MEMBERS

1. As for anybody else entering Italy from abroad, a self-declaration (modulo rientro da Italia, please feel absolutely free to require a copy of it emailing to eva@mansuetomarine.it) showing the address where the 14 days isolation period will be spent and how they will reach it (once again, the yacht’s name and berth are valid and enough)*

2. Copy of the crew member’s passport

3. Copy of the crew member’s contract of employment*

DISEMBARKING CREW MEMBERS

1. The reason of the movement (only repatriation and hospitalization reasons are allowed)

2. As requested for the arrival, they need a new declaration, this time signed also by the disembarking crew member, stating that they did not have any flu symptoms or fever for at least 14 days before their sign off *

3. A report showing the crew member’s daily body temperature during the last 14 days before their disembarkation is strongly recommended.

4. Copy of the crew member’s passport

5. Copy of the crew member’s flight reservation (or travel information if they leave with a private transfer or vehicle)*

Please note that, the disembarkation for repatriation is allowed only if the crew member flies home on the same day, therefore it is strongly suggested to book flights leaving in the afternoon in order to have enough time to carry out the necessary procedures.

* documents that the crew members will have to bring with themselves during the travel in case of check from the authorities.

Please be informed that all the above procedure need some advance to be carried out, therefore, we kindly ask you to provide us with the necessary documents at the earliest opportunity.

GETTING OFF THE BOAT

The end of the general lockdown decided by the Italian Government to stop the spread and prevent people from getting the virus is confirmed on Monday April 13th but it will be most probably postponed to the beginning of May. That means that so far any outwards, inwards or internal movements have to be justified by a demonstrable reason such as repatriation reasons, working reasons or medical reasons; such reasons will have to be stated into the auto dichiarazione form (please require it to eva@mansuetomarine.it) and showed to the authorities in case of checks. 

We are always at your complete disposal for any questions or clarifications.

We look forward to seeing you all in the Med soon for a sunny 2020 Charter Season!

Warm regards
Yacht Welfare

Some Good News!

Sanremo, 31st March 2020

We have received a press release issued by the French Nautical Federation (FIN). You will find here below for your review an in-house translation.

The press release states that the French government has agreed to postpone the application of the new tax regulation related to charter hire (VAT due on the exact time of navigation in EU waters and the abolition of the 50% lump sum reduction).

This certainly would come as great news to our industry during these difficult times however we are waiting for the official confirmation to be issued from the French government in this regard.

Please find below the translated text from the FIN’s press release:

PRESS RELEASE | 25 March 2020, Paris

Applicable VAT Regime on charter hire: the Federation obtains a postponement of the new measure.

Following constructive contacts with the office of the Minister of the Economy, the FIN informs the professionals in the nautical sector of the suspension of the reform project aimed at modifying the 50% lump sum VAT reduction that applies when navigation outside the territorial waters of the European Union occurs during a charter.

“For several months now, we have been working in close coordination with the Government services on this subject. Until the Covid-19 crisis, we were moving forward on a common position with our Italian counterparts. This work will resume after the health crisis. We have pleaded with the government for the suspension of the measure that should have applied on 1 April. This is a relief today. This decision should be made official in the next few hours,” said Yves Lyon-Caen, President of the FIN

In the light of this the French Finance Minister has cancelled the implementation of the new regulation (see more here) due to the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

As the changes made to the conditions for determining the taxable base have been withdrawn, the VAT lump sum reduction (20% on 50% of the charter fee) is still applicable in the case of cruising in international waters (BOI-TVA-CHAMP-20-50-30).

For what is concerned to Italy the UCINA Confindustria Nautica is currently dealing with the Italian Authorities to do take analogous measures and therefore to postpone the application of the new rules in order to keep the old taxation law for all Charters to execute during season 2020 (taxation at 22% on 30% of the agreed Charter Fee).