Taxes, pensions, bills, basic income: the Council of Ministers approved the first one yesterday evening budget maneuver of the Meloni era. But, fortunately, the electoral suggestions overshadowed by Matteo Salvini's League have given way to the "thrift" and "prudence" inaugurated by the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti and fully endorsed by the premier Giorgia Meloni who cannot completely give up on sending a few signals to the centre-right electorate but in the name of the inevitable budget balances, which leave no room for adventures. The 2023 budget maneuver is valid overall 35 billion and – as explains the communique final of the Council of Ministers – is mainly dedicated to interventions in favor of households and businesses to counter the dear-energy and the increase ofinflation: now it will be submitted to the scrutiny of Parliament which never fails to give up some surprises but which is largely dominated by the center-right and above all by the forces that refer to Giorgia Meloni.
Here is the range of interventions of the maneuver.
Dear bills: 21 billion for families and businesses
Approximately two thirds - exactly 21 billion - of the entire maneuver is intended for fight against expensive energy, especially in the first three months of 2023. In particular, the elimination of improper bill charges is confirmed, refinanced until 30 March 2023 the tax credit for the purchase of electricity and natural gas which will rise from 30 to 35% for bars, restaurants and shops and from 40 to 45% for energy-intensive and gas-intensive companies. For the most fragile families, the social bonus bills, with raising of Isee threshold from 12 thousand to 15 thousand euros.
Fight against inflation
There is no reduction in VAT on bread and pasta, as initially envisaged by the Government, but the Council of Ministers has set up a fund of 500 million euros for the creation of a Savings Card for low incomes up to 15 euro, managed by the Municipalities, and aimed at the purchase of basic necessities to be used at points of sale that adhere to the initiative with an additional discount proposal on a basket of foodstuffs. Furthermore, the VAT on baby products and feminine intimate hygiene products is reduced from 10 to 5%.
Single check, first home purchase concessions, recruitment
For 2023, the first is increased by 50%single check for families and another 50% for families with 3 or more children. Also confirmed check for i disabled. For the purchase of first home are to extend the concessions for young people under 36 years of age. In terms of work, concessions are provided for assumptions permanent contracts with a contribution threshold of up to 6 euros for those who already have a fixed-term contract and in particular for women under 36 and for recipients of basic income. In addition, tax-free productivity bonuses with a rate of 5% for bonuses up to €3.
Flat tax and partial tax break
It extends the Flat tax up to 85 euros per year for self-employed workers and VAT numbers and – again for self-employed workers – an incremental flat tax of 15% is introduced with a 5% deductible and a maximum ceiling of 40 euros. Fiscal truce, partial and limited to the lowest items, for citizens and businesses in difficulty due to Covid and high energy prices
Early retirement: quota 103 starts from 1 January 2023
To anticipate the exit from work and request the old-age pension, it will be necessary to have completed 62 years and have achieved at least 41 years of contributions (Quote 103). Those who instead decide to stay at work will enjoy a 10% tax relief. extended theWoman option with some modifications: pension at 58 with two children, at 59 with one child and at 60 in the other cases. Also confirmed theSocial bee for strenuous work.
Citizenship income: expires upon refusal of the first suitable job offer
On the symbolic measure of the Five Stars, opposed by the right and requested for corrections by the Third Pole, the Government has decided that from 2023 January 18 it will be recognized - for people between 59 and 60 years old (able to work but who do not have disabled family members, minors or dependents at least XNUMX years of age – the citizen's income up to the maximum limit of 7-8 months' salary instead of the current 18 renewables. A period of at least six months of participation in a training course o retraining professional, in the absence of which the income forfeits. The perception of the citizen's income also fails with the refusal of the first job offer congruous.
Cash ceiling raised to 5.000 euros
The controversial cash ceiling will rise from 1 January 2023 from the current 1.000 euros to 5 thousand euros, with immediate protests from those who - rightly or wrongly - see this as an incentive for tax evasion.
Enterprises: SME guarantee fund. Plastic and sugar tax suspensions
Il Guarantee fund for small and medium enterprises it is refinanced for one billion and the IPO bonus is extended, which provides for a tax credit for SMEs that are listed on the Stock Exchange. Finally, the Government has decided to suspend the entry into force of the law also for 2023 Plastic Tax on single-use plastic products and the Sugar Tax on sugary drinks.
Bridge over the Strait of Messina
Lastly, the Government relaunches the project to build the bridge over the Strait between Calabria and Sicily through the reactivation of the company Strait of Messina Spa currently in liquidation. The controversial Strait project has already resulted in a significant outlay of public money for consultancy services that may not always be necessary: let's hope that we will finally move on to operational decisions and that the guard against scams will be raised.
