The Italy government has ended the "Decreto Crescita" (Growth Decree), which provided tax breaks for foreign workers, including athletes. This is a major blow to Italian football clubs, which have relied on the decree to attract top talent from abroad.
The decree, which was introduced in 2019, allowed foreign workers to pay a reduced rate of 25% on their gross income for two years after they moved to Italy. This made it much more affordable for Italian clubs to sign high-profile players from other leagues.
The new government measure, which will take effect in 2024, will still provide tax breaks for foreign workers, but only for those who meet certain criteria, such as having a high level of education or skills. The maximum tax break will be 50%, and the income limit is set at €600,000.
The decision to end the tax breaks for athletes has been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that it is a fair move, as it will level the playing field for Italian players. Others argue that it will make it more difficult for Italian clubs to compete with the richest clubs in Europe, as per SportMediaset.
