The government is targeting car tax. At least in words. The theme of the abolition of the car tax, an old workhorse of the centre-right already dear to Silvio Berlusconi, was relaunched only a few days ago by the deputy prime minister Antonio Tajani who, regarding the measures being studied “to reduce the tax burden”, included, in addition to the tax cut “on businesses and families”, also “the elimination of car and motorbike tax”, which according to him the government is thinking about. Another party leader, Enrico Costa, was more cautious than him, but instead spoke of a possible “partial” abolition.
What the government wants to do on car tax: the hypothesis of a progressive discount
According to rumors gathered by Il Sole 24 Ore, the hypothesis being examined by the executive would be that of a selective reduction in car tax. The mechanism provides for a cut intended for those who are up to date with payments, but with “variable geometry” to use a formula that comes from the world of motors. The greatest benefits will in fact be concentrated on small cars, while a progressive elimination of the discount is expected for the most powerful vehicles, such as SUVs and flagships.
In short, the reduction would have much more tangible effects for those who have a small car. However, the details of the measure are still to be defined: it remains to be understood, for one thing, whether the discount will be calculated on the power or by referring to other parameters. It goes without saying that any reduction in the stamp duty, finding its place in the budget law approved at the end of the year, would only have effects starting from 2027.
However, the possibility of intervening on the tax is anything but safe. In Italy the car tax generates a total revenue of between 6.5 and 7 billion euros per year which ends up in the coffers of the Regions. In short, a significant reduction in the tax would have a significant cost, but it is also true that with the rising cost of fuel, the prospect of saving at least on tax (although not immediately) would be anything but unwelcome to voters.
The discount with direct debit
In any case, a discount on road tax already exists, although so far only motorists resident in Campania, Lazio and Lombardy can benefit from it. In these three Regions, in fact, those who choose to pay the tax by direct debit from their current account (the so-called direct debit) are entitled to a reduction in the amount. In detail, the discount is 15% in Lombardy and 10% in Lazio and Campania. To give an example, on an amount of 200 euros the benefit varies from 20 to 30 euros.