Source: www.mise.gov.it

The italian MISE (Ministry of Economic Development) provides R & D credit instruments to stimulate private spending on Research and Development to innovate processes and products and ensure the future competitiveness of companies.

Until 2019 Tax credit of 50% on incremental expenses in Research and Development, granted up to an annual maximum of 20 million €/year per beneficiary and calculated on a fixed basis given by the average expenditure in Research and Development in the years 2012-2014. The tax credit may be used, even in the case of losses, to cover a wide range of taxes and contributions. All expenditure relating to fundamental research, industrial research and experimental development is eligible: costs for highly qualified and technical staff, research contracts with universities, research organisations, companies, start-ups and innovative Smes, depreciation of laboratory instruments and equipment, technical skills and industrial privatisation.

New R&D&I (Research & Development & Innovation) tax credit 2020

The research and development tax credit shall be replaced by a new tax credit granted for the post-31 December 2019 tax period for investments in research and development, in ecological transition, in technological innovation 4.0 and other innovative activities. In particular, the new tax credit shall be for:
1) basic research, industrial research and experimental development in science or technology. For these activities, the bonus is equal to 12% of the related eligible expenses, taken apart from other grants or contributions in any capacity received for them, up to a maximum of 3 million, provided for each year in the case of a tax period not exceeding 12 months;
2) for technological innovation activities aimed at new or substantially improved products or processes. For these activities, the bonus shall be: – 6% of the relevant eligible expenditure, less any other grants or contributions received for them, up to a maximum of 1,EUR 5 million, per year in the case of a tax period of 12 months or less; – 10% of the relevant eligible expenditure, subject to the annual ceiling of 1,EUR 5 million for technological innovation activities aimed at the realisation of new or substantially improved products or production processes for the achievement of an ecological transition or digital innovation target 4.0;
3) for design and aesthetic design activities. For such activities, the bonus shall be 6% of the relevant eligible expenditure, less other grants or contributions in any capacity received for them, up to a maximum of 1,EUR 5 million per year for a tax period of less than or more than 12 months.