Mandatory: When the transaction within the national territory is subject to VAT and related obligations. Optional: When a non-resident entity wishes to deduct VAT on purchases or assert tax rights. The appointment of a fiscal representative must take place before the first transaction to properly inform suppliers. The procedure requires that the appointment be formalised through a notarial deed, a registered private agreement, or a registered letter filed with the Revenue Agency (Article 1, paragraph 4, of Presidential Decree No. 441/1997). The fiscal representative in Italy has several key responsibilities to ensure compliance with VAT regulations. With regard to invoicing, if the foreign company issues an invoice without VAT (reverse charge), the Italian customer must issue a self-invoice. Carioni Spedizioni Internazionali S.r.l.
A Fiscal Representative is an operator appointed to manage VAT obligations on behalf of a foreign entity, enabling a non-resident company to comply with Italian tax regulations.
This role involves handling invoicing, accounting, and VAT operations in Italy, as established by Article 17 of Presidential Decree No. 633/1972. The appointment of a fiscal representative can be:
Appointment of a Fiscal Representative: Obligations and Procedures
These include: Accounting for Assets and Liabilities
The fiscal representative is responsible for recording all tax-related transactions, ensuring that all operations are correctly accounted for. VAT Payment to the Tax Authorities
The representative is required to remit the collected VAT to the tax authorities, complying with the deadlines and fiscal obligations established by Italian law. Periodic VAT Settlement
The fiscal representative manages the periodic VAT settlement, which must be paid on a quarterly or annual basis, depending on the company’s requirements. Annual VAT Return
One of the primary duties of the fiscal representative is to submit the annual VAT return, summarising all transactions and payments made during the fiscal year.
Furthermore, if the foreign company carries out only transactions that are not subject to VAT, it is possible to appoint a limited fiscal representative, whose role is solely to represent the foreign entity in the compilation of Intrastat listings.
