Italy Prepares 50% Windfall Tax on Energy Firms’ Excess Gains
(Bloomberg) -- Italy plans to apply a 50% one-off windfall tax on the extra revenue made by energy companies, according to the text of the proposed budget law obtained by Bloomberg.
Most Read from Bloomberg
Scientists Revive 48,500-Year-Old ‘Zombie Virus’ Buried in Ice
These Are the Best and Worst Cities for Expats to Live and Work In
NYC Becomes One Billionaire Family’s Haven From China Property Crash
Banks Stuck With $42 Billion Debt Seize Chance to Offload It
The new budget presented by Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing administration is making its way through parliament and must be approved by the end of the year.
Italy has already introduced a 25% tax on company gains, a levy that Eni SpA said was costing the oil giant €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion).
Reuters reported the Italian plan earlier Tuesday.
Italy has spent about €75 billion so far to protect its citizens and businesses from the energy crisis and has budgeted another €21 billion in its new budget to continue offering tax breaks, discounts on gas at the pump and other aid.
Meloni’s doubling of the tax is meant to show voters she means business in not giving big companies breaks when citizens are having trouble paying their energy bills.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
TikTok’s Viral Challenges Keep Luring Young Kids to Their Deaths
Global Debt Costs Are Soaring. Here’s Where It Will Hurt Most
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.