Even if it does not yet affect the current foreign professionals in Serie A: Italy’s government has passed a tax law that is likely to make the league less financially interesting
The Italian government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has abolished tax breaks for foreign footballers. The system, which has been in place since 2019, will be abolished from January 1, 2024. This was decided by the government at a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday evening.
New tax rate from 2024: 45% instead of the previous 25%
In future, non-Italian professionals will have to pay 45% instead of 25% tax on their salaries. However, existing contracts are not yet affected.
Understandably, the clubs now fear that Serie A will be less attractive for foreign players in future without the favorable tax system. The clubs therefore wanted to extend the existing regulation. However, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described the tax concessions as “immoral”.
However, the new law caused great anger among the clubs: “The government has made a big mistake. No more stars will move to Italy and pay taxes in the country. Serie A will lose its competitiveness,” said Claudio Lotito, the club boss of Lazio Roma, for example.