Italy became the first EU country to mandate electronic invoicing for all VAT‑registered businesses in 2019, expanding the requirement to micro‑businesses in 2024 and introducing FatturaPA v1.9 in 2025. The SDI clearance model has reduced the VAT gap and serves as a benchmark for the EU’s ViDA framework. The current EU derogation expires at the end of 2027, while the consolidated VAT code will take effect on 1 January 2027.
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1stopVAT · about 5 hours ago
A Milan Tax Court decision on 20 January 2026 clarified that direct sales made under consignment agreements are not subject to Italy’s Digital Services Tax (DST). The ruling confirms that the 3% DST applies only to digital intermediation activities and that companies meeting the turnover thresholds are liable. The court also upheld a refund claim for over‑EUR 1 million of over‑paid DST for the 2020‑2022 period.
Vertex Inc · 12 days ago
Italy’s mandatory B2B e‑invoicing via the SDI platform has exposed high first‑pass rejection rates driven by master‑data errors, highlighting the need for a tax engine to ensure real‑time compliance. The article quantifies savings of €37 per invoice and a drop in rejection rates to about 5% when a tax engine is used. It underscores that even mature markets like Italy still face significant data quality challenges that a tax engine can address.
VatCalc · 27 days ago
Italy has amended its 2026 barter VAT rules, replacing the cost‑based valuation model with a contractual value approach. The change, effective 1 January 2026, requires the taxable amount to reflect the parties’ agreed monetary value but not fall below the supplier’s direct costs, and applies retroactively to contracts from that date while protecting earlier invoices.
StudioLegalEbianucci · about 1 month ago
The Court of Cassation’s Order no. 17536/2025 clarifies that formal violations of VAT bookkeeping and invoice preservation do not automatically bar the right to deduction, provided substantive obligations are met. The ruling sets two exceptions—fraudulent intent or inability to prove substantive compliance—under which deduction is denied. It reinforces the principle of fiscal neutrality while maintaining sanctions for formal non‑compliance.
Meridian Global Services · about 1 month ago
From 1 January 2026, Italy has enacted a new automated VAT assessment regime for omitted annual returns, allowing the tax authority to calculate VAT due using e‑invoicing and other digital data. The automated determination must be completed by 31 December of the seventh year following the missing return, and penalties are capped at 120% of VAT due, reducible to one‑third if paid within 60 days of notice.
The Invoicing Hub · about 1 month ago
Italy’s e‑invoicing system will adopt new SDI technical specifications effective 15 May 2026, adding VAT‑group checks, expanded accreditation limits, and a sports‑worker exemption code. The ViDA directive will require Italy to shift from its centralized SdI model to a decentralized reporting architecture by 1 January 2035, and to adopt the EN16931 standard. These changes affect ERP vendors, e‑invoicing service providers, and all businesses issuing electronic invoices in Italy.
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Key Takeaways
The extension took effect on 1 January 2024.
FatturaPA v1.9 introduced the TD29 document type and the RF20 regime code, effective 1 April 2025.
The derogation expires on 31 December 2027.
The Testo Unico IVA will take effect on 1 January 2027.
Primary source
Read the full article at SAFT ValidatorThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 24 March 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Italy. The original source is SAFT Validator.
