MILANO – The new anti-price increase decree launched by the government on Friday evening arrives in the Official Journal, accompanied by the ministerial decree that temporarily reduces excise duties for fuels. Among the other interventions in force from today there are also the tax on the extra-profits of energy companies, equal to 10% for 2022 alone and which will have to be paid next June. The government has also strengthened refugee reception measures, as well as increased support for businesses in difficulty. The decree also contains the strengthening of the Golden power in the telecommunications sector.
Anti-price increase decree, all measures: from installment bills to layoffs
by Valentina Conte, Aldo Fontanarosa
Gasoline, discount off from today.
The most awaited measure, however, is the reduction in the price of gasoline, which has shot up to 2.4 euros per liter in many parts of Italy. Starting today, the day after publication, the 25 cent discount provided for by the provision. In detail, excise duties drop to 623, 24 euros per thousand liters on petrol, 532.24 for diesel and 182.61 per thousand kilograms for LPG. The reduction in excise duties, and therefore in the price of fuel, will last for 30 days. But it is expected that until 31 December of this year the rates of these taxes can be re-determined without having to resort to a decree law but only with a ministerial provision. Specific rules are then introduced for product storage deposits and to avoid speculative maneuvers, with powers to the Price Guarantor and the use of the e Guardia di Finanza for controls.
Bonus bills, more beneficiaries for the discounts on electricity and gas: the Isee roof rises to 12 thousand euros
Gasoline bonus for workers
Alongside this measure, the government introduces a rule aimed at helping workers who use their own means to get to the workplace. Companies are given the opportunity to grant fuel vouchers up to 200 euros without these being subject to taxation. It is therefore not a government contribution, but a tax relief for companies that will be able to choose or not to grant this benefit.
Petrol bonus of 200 euros: what it is and how it works
Off to the tax on profits of energy companies
Then comes the 10% tax on the extra profits of energy companies. It will apply only for 2022, will be paid in June and will have to be paid by the entire energy sector: by companies that produce, import and sell oil products, gas or electricity. Only companies that manage trading platforms are excluded. The “extraordinary solidarity contribution” will be calculated on the increase in the balance between transactions for VAT purposes between the period 1 October 2021-30 March 2022 and 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021. A specific measure prevents the greater burden of the companies from being transferred to consumer prices
From the Cig to the Golden power, the other measures
The text, consisting of 37 articles, is divided into several chapters. The first is dedicated to fuels, with the reduction of excise duties and the tax reduction of the petrol bonus of up to 200 euros. Then there is the aid in favor of companies for the purchase of energy, with specific measures for energy-intensive and gas-intensive companies. An article enhances the role of the price guarantor.
Therefore, some rules are envisaged to support the liquidity of companies, providing for the payment of bills in installments, the transferability of tax credits, and loans to energy-intensive companies of strategic interest. Two articles then concern work, with the extension of the Cig and tax relief for the staff of companies in crisis. An entire chapter is aimed at measures in support of road transport, agriculture, fishing and tourism.
The golden power is then strengthened, the special power of the government from the defense to the security sector, to arrive at telecommunications with a more than attentive eye to 5g technologies and the national ‘cloud’. In addition to specific rules for the various sectors, which in fact make structural some measures adopted temporarily with the Covid decrees, simplifications are envisaged and the arrival of a specific core of evaluation and strategic analysis consisting of 10 experts who will work at the Presidency of the Council. . A standard also provides for the possibility for public administrations to replace telecommunications supplies from Russia to prevent possible problems deriving from lack of maintenance, also for the purposes of cybersecurity.
A rule, not foreseen in the initial draft, then concerns the school: 200 million more funds arrive to extend the period of Covid assistance, extending the staff planned for the coronavirus and allowing the purchase of safety devices.