From 1 March 2017, companies that invest in digital technologies and waste tracking and weighing systems will be able to apply for a subsidy to take advantage of the increased contribution, calculated on an annual interest rate of 3,575%. The goal is to encourage digital manufacturing and increase the innovation and efficiency of the entrepreneurial system, also through process and product innovation. This was communicated by the Ministry of Economic Development, which published the implementing resolution in the 'Nuova Sabatini' section of the ministry's website.
More specifically, here are the main innovations introduced:
– starting from 1 March, businesses will have to use exclusively the new application form ('release 4.0') available on the department's website; applications submitted with the old form after 1 March will be considered inadmissible;
– within the new form, companies will have to indicate the breakdown between so-called ordinary investments and investments in digital technologies, waste tracking and weighing systems ('so-called 4.0');
– tangible and intangible assets falling under '4.0' investments are identified in attachments 6/A and 6/B to the circular. With reference to the same question, the investments declared '4.0', if not included in the lists referred to in annexes 6/A and 6/B, are not eligible for the concessions and cannot be admitted as ordinary investments;
– the provisions apply both to applications submitted after 1 March 2017 and to those submitted before that date, taking into account the stage at which the related proceedings have reached.
The instructions for businesses, the application and declaration forms to be sent in order to benefit from the concessions, can be consulted on the site specially opened by the ministry.
The benefits of Nuova Sabatini can be combined with the Iper and Sper depreciation that the law grants in support of those companies that invest in capital or intangible assets (software and IT systems) functional to the technological and digital transformation of production processes.
Hyper-depreciation: overvaluation of 250% of investments in new material assets, devices and technologies enabling transformation in key 4.0 purchased or leased
Super depreciation: overvaluation of 140% of investments in new capital goods purchased or leased. For those who benefit from hyper-depreciation, the possibility of using the subsidy also for investments in intangible capital goods (software and IT systems).
The benefit can be combined with:
- New Sabatini
- Tax credit for Research and Development activities
- Patent Box
- Enterprise Capitalization Incentives (ACE)
- Incentives for investments in start-ups and innovative SMEs
- Central Guarantee Fund
