Request for an Italian Tax Code for Foreigners, How to Obtain it

The fiscal code request is a very important procedure for a foreign citizen arriving in Italy. With this document, which takes the form of a card, foreign citizens can use certain public services and, at the same time, get in touch with the public administration. The Italian tax code is often associated with the health card, a document that indicates a subscription to the National Health System. Anyway, the purposes and uses of the two documents differ, especially when dealing with foreign citizens.

What is the Italian tax code?

The fiscal code in Italy is the document through which natural persons and non-physical subjects are identified when the latter has to interface with public bodies and administrations. This document was introduced in 1973 to optimize, facilitate, and make the financial administration of Italian citizens more efficient. The body that manages the tax code request and the consequent release is the Agenzia delle Entrate. Specifically, it is an alphanumeric code of sixteen characters (nine letters and 7 numbers) which is obtained starting from:

• first name;
• surname;
• date of birth;
• birthplace.

 What is the tax code for? The fiscal code request is essential for non-EU citizens who decide to live in Italy. This document is required by the tax registry for the registration and control of the tax data of foreign citizens. For this reason, the non-EU citizen who enters Italy must apply for the attribution of the fiscal code. Among the main purposes for the tax code request for foreign citizens we can list:

• open a bank account;
• collect a payment;
• sign an employment contract;
• open a VAT number;
• buy and sell of cars or real estate;
• tax refund;
• deeds of assessment

How do you get the tax code assignment?

Non-EU citizens can request a tax code by applying directly to the Agenzia delle Entrate, using Model AA4/8. For the correct attribution of the Italian fiscal code, the non-EU citizen must exhibit one of the following documents:

• passport;
• declaration of identity issued by the competent Italian authorities of the country of origin (consulates and embassies);
• valid residence permit;
• the identity card of the municipality of residence.

Furthermore, in the request for attribution of the Italian tax code, the non-EU citizen must indicate personal details and tax domicile. Agenzia delle Entrate will forward the card with the indication of the assigned Italian tax code.

How to generate the tax code for foreigners

The calculation of the Italian fiscal code for non-EU citizens follows the same method used for Italian citizens. The only difference in the composition of the alphanumeric code lies in the section relating to the identification of the place of birth of the foreign citizen. In this case, the tax code will contain the country’s identification code, which begins with the letter Z and is followed by three digits. In the event of a lost tax code, the foreign citizen must request it from the Agenzia delle Entrate and follow the procedures indicated on the website.