What we do
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Why Choose SIGTAX in Partnership with SAVORANA & PARTNERS
We do everything you would expect from a company formation and corporate service provider, but there is more to us. Our combined experience and expertise in Italy and 12 other jurisdictions guarantees flawless services. Over the years, we have learnt that keeping everything transparent, listening, discussing options, and offering practical advice is key in cultivating long term relationships with our clients. Therefore, we promise to keep you informed and consult with you during each and every step of the process. You can be certain there will be no unexpected looming deadlines, bills or fees—everything is transparent and the price is customized to your needs.
Taxation for Italian Companies
Any company having its legal or administrative headquarters or principal business activity within the Italian territory is considered to be a resident company in Italy. The same applies to foreign companies holding one or more Italian subsidiaries.
Italian companies are subject to a corporate income tax, known as:
- imposta sul reddito sulle società or IRES, 24%
- Regional production tax, known as imposta regionale sulle attività produttive or IRAP, 3.9%
Holding companies are exempt from cantonal income tax and pay a reduced rate (0.02 ‰) of capital tax.
Investment companies are granted a tax reduction at cantonal level for significant investments in other companies, similar to the participation deduction.
Management companies are proportionally taxed for revenues from foreign sources, depending on the extent of the activity. Income from investments in other companies is exempt from taxes.
Joint ventures are taxed according to various regulations, which allow important tax deductions..
Principal companies can claim a deduction at the level of direct federal tax for business conducted outside Switzerland.
Types of companies incorporated in Italy
The limited liability company is a popular choice for foreigners starting small-to-medium sized businesses in Italy. The required minimum investment for this entity is 10,000 EUR. Shareholders have limited liability depending on the extent of their contribution. The company can have more than one director. In Italy, there are two types of private limited liability companies: -the standard limited liability company (società a responsabilità limitata ,S.r.l.); -the simplified limited liability company (società a responsabilità limitata semplificata, S.r.l.s.).
The innovative start up SRL is closely similar to the ordinary SRL. While it follows the same standardized incorporation procedure and articles of association, its unique advantage is that it has to be constituted through an online procedure without the intervention of a notary. As its name applies, this company type has an innovative and high-tech corporate objective. It's registered in the special section of the Register of Companies dedicated to innovative startups.
With a high minimum investment of 120.000 EUR, the joint-stock company is not for everyone. The company should have at least one shareholder. In the case that there is only one shareholder, it’s mandatory that the start-up capital is paid at once before incorporation. If there are more than one shareholder, a quarter of the capital should be deposited before the incorporation of the company.
The limited liability company is a popular choice for foreigners starting small-to-medium sized businesses in Italy. The required minimum investment for this entity is 10,000 EUR. Shareholders have limited liability depending on the extent of their contribution. The company can have more than one director. In Italy, there are two types of private limited liability companies: -the standard limited liability company (società a responsabilità limitata ,S.r.l.); -the simplified limited liability company (società a responsabilità limitata semplificata, S.r.l.s.).
Steps for company formation
- Prepare shareholder's documents.
- Opening a blocked capital account with a Swiss bank
- Depositing the share capital
- Receiving the capital certificate from the Swiss bank
- Setting up a registered office in Switzerland
- Applying for business registration (all the documents are signed by a Swiss notary and then sent to the Register of Commerce)
- Receiving the registration certificate
- Providing statutory documents to the client
Why should you open a company in Italy?
- Italy allows access to a large consumer market, notably, the Eurozone
- The country has a qualified workforce, that comes at lower costs compared to other EU countries
- Quick and simplified company incorporation procedures
- Pro-business environment for small businesses
- Provides a flexible and diversified business environment
- The government greatly supports businesses through various initiatives
- Solid quality in every aspect—from products to services and even the labor force
