TAX BENEFIT for researchers and professors who move back to Italy:

Overview of the Tax Benefit:
This tax relief is designed for Italian and foreign researchers and professors who have worked abroad and then move to Italy to continue their academic or research activities. The primary goal of the provision is to make Italy more attractive to highly skilled professionals in the fields of education and research by significantly reducing their taxable income.

Key Features:
Tax Exemption: Researchers and professors are entitled to exclude 90% of the income earned from teaching or research activities from their taxable income. This applies to both income from employment (salaried positions) and self-employment (consulting or freelance work).
Requirements for Eligibility:
University Degree: The individual must have a university degree or an equivalent qualification.
Non-occasional Residency Abroad: The individual must have been residing abroad for purposes other than occasional stays. This ensures that the person genuinely lived and worked outside Italy, rather than having temporary or short-term stays.
Activity Abroad: The individual must have carried out documented research or teaching activities abroad at a university or public/private research center for at least two consecutive years.
Move to Italy: Upon returning to Italy, the individual must transfer their tax residency to Italy to benefit from this tax incentive.
Duration of the Tax Benefit:
The standard duration for this tax benefit is eight years: the year in which the individual becomes a tax resident in Italy plus the following seven tax years. However, there are specific situations where the duration of the benefit can be extended:

10 Years of Tax Benefit:
If the researcher or professor has at least one minor child or a dependent child (this includes children placed under pre-adoptive foster care).
Alternatively, the benefit can also be extended if the individual purchases a residential property in Italy within 12 months before or after the transfer of residence. The property can be bought directly by the researcher or professor, or by their spouse, cohabiting partner, or children, including joint ownership.
13 Years of Tax Benefit:
If the individual has at least two dependent children or minor children, the duration of the tax benefit is extended to 13 years.
Objective:
The purpose of this measure is to encourage the return of highly skilled individuals who have gained valuable experience abroad, particularly in the field of education and research. Italy has faced a "brain drain" in recent decades, with many researchers and academics moving abroad due to better opportunities, higher salaries, and more advanced research environments. This tax incentive aims to reverse that trend by providing a substantial financial benefit for those returning to Italy.

By reducing the taxable income by 90%, the Italian government hopes to make the financial burden of returning to Italy much lighter, making the country more competitive in retaining and attracting talent in academia and research. The idea is to increase the quality of education and research within Italian universities and institutions, enhancing innovation and scientific progress in the long term.

Additional Considerations:
Acquisition of Property: If the researcher or professor becomes a homeowner in Italy, this strengthens the individual's ties to the country and is seen as a commitment to staying long-term, which justifies the extended tax benefit period.
Children: The presence of dependent children is another factor that extends the benefit, as the Italian government wants to provide additional support to families, recognizing the increased financial responsibilities of raising children.

This tax relief measure is a strategic part of Italy’s broader efforts to attract and retain talent, particularly in the high-skill sectors. It acknowledges that researchers and professors who have worked abroad often bring back valuable international experience and perspectives that can enrich the local academic and research environments. The extended timeframes and conditions (children, property ownership) aim to provide stability and security for individuals looking to resettle in Italy, making the country a more attractive destination for returning professionals.


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