Replace the tourist tax and with a “city tax” to be managed by the Municipalities. . It is the proposal of the hoteliers for whom "identifying the accommodation establishment as the only collection point for tourists is profoundly unfair". This was supported by the general director of Federalberghi, Alessandro Nucara, in a hearing at the Senate Finance Committee.
Tourist tax, Federalberghi's proposal
Nucara pointed out that “the tourist tax it is not paid by hikers, who invade cities without staying overnight, nor by those who stay in semi-clandestine accommodation". Conversely, "those who stay in accommodation facilities already contribute significantly to the payment of local taxes, primarily the Tari. Because today the tax burdens only one of the activities that benefit from tourist flows."
Tourist tax: “Better a city tax”
And so here is the suggestion: "We therefore propose to replace the tourist tax by assigning to the Municipalities a share of the VAT revenue produced by all tourist activities or by establishing a city tax".
Tourist tax: when it was born and why
The tourist tax was introduced with the 2009 reform which gave rise to fiscal federalism. The vast majority of Municipalities immediately joined the reform, others were added gradually over time, others after having launched the tax have in the meantime suspended it, some have decided to apply it only from last year (for example Bari, Taranto , Caserta). Last year the tax collections almost reached 700 million, with an increase of 9,5% on the previous year.
In any case - added the general director of Federalberghi - a framework regulation is necessary that uniformly regulates the tourist tax throughout the national territory.
Tourist tax: “This is why we need a review”
A review that should take place following 4 key principles: 1) transparency (each Municipality must account for how much it collects, how it spends these resources and the results of the measures adopted); 2) neutrality (the tax must be applied in all tourist accommodation, from large hotels to small apartments); 3) reasonableness (confirming the maximum limit of five euros per person, "which already today constitutes a significant surcharge, on average equal to around 8% of the price"); 4) involvement (decisions concerning the establishment of the tax and the destination of the revenue must be taken with the participation of the operators).
