We called her "patrimonial” or “mini patrimonial” and in the last eleven months we have forgotten it. Soon, however, we will have to pay for it. Born with the first decree of the Monti government, the now famous salva-Italia, the new tax affects almost all financial products: investment funds, life insurance policies, government bonds, various bonds. Only healthcare funds, pension funds and interest-bearing postal savings bonds with a reimbursement value of less than 5 thousand euros are excluded.
For this year the rate is one per thousand, calculated in proportion to the investment and, where possible, on the market value, rather than the nominal or redemption value. The step will rise to 1,5 per thousand in 2013.
It is also linked to assets a little joke for less wealthy investors. The fee provides a minimum withdrawal threshold set at 34,2 euros (same figure as the stamp duty on current accounts). This means that, with a levy of one per thousand, only Italians who have invested over 34 euros will pay more than the minimum. Whoever, for example, has invested three million euros, will have to pay out 3 thousand euros.
On the other hand, up to the minimum limit, the levy makes no distinction between negligible and substantial assets: very small investors (who may have risked a few hundred euros) will find themselves paying the same amount as those who had a large sum at their disposal. In short, below the threshold of 34 euros invested, we are all the same.
