Italy 2025 VAT Return Form & Instructions Released | Compliance Update

The Italian Revenue Agency published a new set of technical specifications for the electronic transmission of data contained in the annual VAT returns relating to 2024 and a new version of the VAT return form. In addition to this, the Revenue Agency also published the simplified VAT return form with related instructions.

In addition to relevant VAT forms, the Revenue Agency released drafts of the individual income tax return and forms that the withholding tax agents must submit.

Impact on Taxable Persons

Individuals and businesses that obtained VAT numbers must submit annual VAT returns, even if they did not have any taxable transactions throughout 2024. In addition, non-resident taxable persons who registered for VAT directly or appointed tax representatives and non-residents with a fixed establishment and who are subject to VAT must also submit annual VAT returns.

The deadline for submitting the annual VAT returns for the previous year started on February 1 and lasts until the last day of April. All VAT returns must be submitted electronically to the Revenue Agency.

The newly published form and instructions are currently only available in Italian, but English versions are expected to be available soon.

Nevertheless, taxable persons should not wait until the English version is available, and if they have not started preparing their annual VAT return, now is the time to engage. The comprehensive instructions published by the Revenue Agency contain all the necessary data to fill out the annual VAT return successfully and complete this procedure.

Conclusion

Taxable persons who do not file their annual VAT return on time will face penalties and interest. Although Italy changed its penalty regime in 2024 and made it less strict, it could still represent a financial burden for taxable persons if imposed. That is why preparing and submitting annual VAT returns on time is necessary.

Source: Revenue Agency - Regulation and practices, Revenue Agency - Templates and instructions