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been replaced by the word “November”).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.
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.
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.
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! 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.
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).
MYBA 2020 officially cancelled. Please find below an extract from the Official Communication sent by MYBA Board today and our quick view about chartering on 2020 in the Med.
“Further to our communiqué dated 5 March regarding the MYBA Charter Show, we would like to inform you that the MYBA Board held a conference call yesterday to further discuss the holding of the MYBA Charter Show in Barcelona in the current environment. The Covid-19 virus situation has evolved rapidly over the last few days and, unfortunately, developments have not been favourable. The Board therefore finds itself in a Force Majeure situation vis-à-vis its contractual obligations and considers it is best not to proceed in these unprecedented circumstances. This is undoubtedly very disappointing news, however, taking into consideration the information that is currently available and the health of our Members and all Show participants being one of MYBA’s key priorities, it is not possible to ensure the Show is organised in the safe and productive environment that we are recognised for by the superyacht industry. The MYBA Charter Show team will be sending further details to those who have already registered and working to minimise any inconvenience caused by this unfortunate development. Thank you for your patience while we were assessing the situation and we look forward to a great Show in 2021. Kind regards MYBA Board“
Well, let’s take the opportunity to make a quick summary and cast some light on what is happening in Europe and around the Mediterranean coasts. We all know that the situation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) wreaked havoc on our lives. Right after China, Europe faced its first major outbreak as the number of reported cases in Italy grew from fewer to thousands in just few days. Officials locked down all the Italian Regions after a cluster of cases emerged in several towns located at the very North of Italy (nearby Milan). As a result, schools closed and sporting and cultural events were canceled. France did the same after just few weeks and schools and universities were closed on 9th March. Spain will do the same too starting by 16th March.
So all the EU countries are really dealing with this matter with every effort, conscientiously, strategically and supportively. We are confident that we will get through it very soon. In Italy we have this special figure of speech for situations like this “chi ben comincia, è a metà dell’opera” which the English know as “the first blow is half the battle“.
This is to say that the virus is spreading rapidly and the Mediterranean countries will surely get out of this nightmare before any other country around the world where the virus is starting to spread right now or has not started yet. Actually Italy is already half way and even further!
This should be a reason for all the yachting industry to feel encouraged to come to the Mediterranean for the summer season.
We really look forward to seeing our warm seas and cozy ports plenty of yachts during the summer.
We remain at your disposal for any possible clarification and please keep sending your inquiries to info@yachtwelfare.it
The 2019 edition of the Yacht Welfare VAT Guide is finally released. You can ask your copy by sending an email to info@yachtwelfare.it. Our Team of Lawyers and Fiscal Advisors is always available to assist you during your Charter Season in the Mediterranean Sea.
The French Customs Office has released important
dispositions and clarifications about yachts engaged in commercial and
transport activities (e.g. charter).
25% DUTY TO APPLY TO US BUILT BOATS
The French Customs Office confirms that every US
built boat having commercial registration and officially imported in European
Community before the 22nd of June 2018 will be exempt from the
payment of the 25% customs duty on the boat’s return in Europe if all the
standard import formalities will be executed (the same formalities and
practices arranged before the 25% rule).
The same principle applies for boats exported from
EU before the same date (Export Declaration is required. In absence of this Declaration
an alternative proof of exportation has to be provided).
All the boats having completed the import back to
the European Community can benefit from FCE/ICE (French Commercial Exemption /
Italian Commercial Exemption) advantages according to the +70% rule.
If the boat has been imported under the FCE/ICE
regime in 2018, it is still required to provide the proofs attesting its
qualifications to take advantage of the same benefits (+70% international
voyages).
Therefore, we confirm that any and all US built
boats falling within the below listed cases:
1. never imported
before the 22nd of June 2018, or
2. imported
before the same date but having changed the Owning Company (sold/purchased)
are subject to the
application of the 25% customs duty.
CHARTER UNDER TEMPORARY ADMISSION STATUS
Besides, all US built boats never imported before
the 22nd of June 2018 will have the possibility to perform
commercial activities (Charter) under Temporary Admission status, whether the
boat is registered as commercial or private (in the latter case only if the
Flag Registry admits this condition).
However, there are specific restrictions to the
above frame:
a. the
impossibility to have EU resident Charterers
b. at present
not all the EU Members States still permit a boat under Temporary Admission to
execute commercial activities (Charter).
In regards to non US built boats (EU or non-EU) registered
as commercial and to coming to Europe to execute commercial activities
(Charter), which are under “Import Status”, the FCE/ICE benefits apply to all
those non-EU boats (as well as to some EU boats in specific cases: more info
will follow) intending to execute commercial activities (Charter). This is
the only case in which the Charterer can be a EU resident.
Concerning the non-EU boats which will not be
imported (both Commercial and Private registered), they will only have the
possibility to execute Charters under the regime of Temporary Admission and
will not be entitled to charter to EU resident subjects.
As far as is concerned to side boats
(chase-boats/tenders) having own registration and which are employed to attend
the mother ship (main vessel), we are still waiting for the necessary
clarifications by the Customs about the possibility to charter said chase boats
to EU residents.
All the hereby listed rules and information provided
might be subject to variations by the Customs Office.
Therefore please always contact us to know if something
has been changed, integrated or just updated.
For any additional info or clarifications required
please email us to info@yachtwelfare.it
You can download the complete version of this news below:
Owning
Companies identified for VAT in Italy by a Fiscal Representative are not
required to be accredited to the SDI – Interchange System (SDI – Sistema di
Interscambio ) for the e-invoicing procedure introduced by the Italian Tax
Authority (Agenzia delle Entrate) starting from January 2019.
Law
Decree N. 119/2018 (art. 15) amends the Italian regulation that introduced the
mandatory electronic invoicing starting from 1st January 2019 (art.
1, para. 6 of Law Decree no. 127/2015) according to Implementing Decision (EU)
2018/593 from 16 April 2018 – which authorized Italy to the widespread use of
electronic invoices – specifying that the obligation applies only to
subjects established within the State (Italy) and not to foreign subjects identified for Italian VAT purposes, but
not residing therein. This amendment implements what had been anticipated by
the tax Agency in its Circular Letter no. 13/2018.
Therefore
Owning Companies do not have the obligation to issue electronic invoices
(e-Invoice).
This
means that the actual procedure does not change and each invoice relevant to
VAT due on Charters – having fiscal applicability in Italy – will still need to
be issued in hard copy (paper format).
Please
note that all the paper invoices issued by suppliers will need to contain the
following wording: “copia cartacea della
fattura” (translated: hard copy of the invoice). This will allow the Owning
Company to still be able to deduct the VAT debited by the supplier. A “courtesy-copy”
of the same invoice can be sent by the supplier to the client in digital format
(e.g. pdf file sent by email).
The new Italian VAT Guide for 2018 is now online.
Please feel free to download it here or below.
Stay tuned and make sure to comply with the rules.
We remain always at your disposal for any sort of clarifications.
Any need please email us to info@yachtwelfare.it.
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