Ici, the judgment of the Supreme Court: “Religious schools must pay” – The Messenger

The schools run by religious organizations will have to pay the IMU, which was formerly called Ici. In the days when the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced the cancellation of the tax on the first house, it sounds a bit like a joke the judgment of the Court of Cassation, accepting an appeal by the municipality of Livorno, it has recognized the legitimacy of the request for payment advanced in 2010 against two peer institutions in the area.

The decision of stipendiary, which is unprecedented in Italy, opens a much debated issue in the country. But mostly it looks set to make law paving the way for likely similar initiatives by other auditors. With heavy tax consequences especially for the Catholic Church (which handles 63% of private schools on the national territory). Suffice it to say that the current exemption from paying property tax allows schools to dodge around 500 million per year in taxes. The facts: a statement released yesterday, the municipality of Livorno has announced the contents of two judgments filed by the Supreme Court on 8 July.

Without the device possible misunderstandings of decisions: for pupils of private school pay a fee for the frequency, this activity is of a commercial nature, “and that nothing precludes the administration at a loss.” In detail, the court of appeal stated that it is legally irrelevant to make a profit, resulting in sufficient suitability trend in revenues to pursue a balanced budget. That is, the achievement of revenue is itself sufficient index of commercial activity carried out. Simply put, the private schools are commercial business like any other and as such, according to the judgment, have to pay taxes.

REACTIONS

 Harsh backlash to the two institutions Livorno, “Holy Spirit” and “Immaculate”, now called to pay, including taxes, interest and penalties, 422 thousand euro for the period 2004-2009. And perhaps even more so given that the Tax Court of Livorno is preparing to claim also amounts due for the years 2010 to 2011. The court case has sparked immediate reactions in the political and religious world. “They are judgments that leave dumbfounded, because will force private schools to close,” said Don Francesco Macri, president of FIDAE (Federation of educational institutions). Who stressed that the playing field “are schools that have budgets deeply in the red and that the state cost almost nothing, while providing a service comparable to that state.

Unlike what happens in Europe – added Macri – where private schools are supported in every possible way in Italy are constantly being penalized and then forced to disappear. And disappearing, it disappears an important dimension of the organizational structure and education of the nation. ” Widespread sympathy to equal it rained from the political world, “The ruling is likely to send to paws in the air quite a few institutions. These institutions are assimilated to commercial reality, but actually play a full public service, often where the State fails to arrive, “said Edoardo Patriarca (Pd), member of the Social Affairs Commission. While Gabriele Toccafondi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Education warned that “if private schools have to pay the IMU, many will increase fees or close.

The State therefore have to find new resources to build new schools and maintain them and school equality not only in our country will be minimal, but just disappear. ” It should be borne in mind that in 2015 the government has allocated 471 million in favor of private schools. Critical voices against the judgment of the Supreme Court also by Forza Italy and civic Choice.
             
             
                         
         

             Saturday, July 25, 2015, 10:02 – Last Updated: 16:03
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED