Annual VAT Returns in Italy: All You Need to Know (2026)

Companies registered for VAT purposes in Italy must submit an Annual VAT return. This is a recapitulative return for informative purposes, so usually there should not be any VAT payment due upon submission. This return is also known as dichiarazione annuale IVA.

The Italian tax authorities released the 2026 annual VAT return form and updated instructions.

Quarterly VAT returns in Italy are simple and do not offer detail concerning the total amounts reported. The annual VAT return extends the information submitted via the quarterly VAT returns, as it will be required to split the amounts based on the nature of transactions performed, the VAT rates, and also to include certain transactions that are generally excluded from the quarterly communication, e.g. certain exempt transactions.

Contact Marosa if you need help with VAT Refunds in Italy. We can assist obtaining the "visto di conformitá" certificate of the italian annual VAT return.  

What Is the Deadline for Annual VAT Returns in Italy?

The annual VAT return 2025 must be submitted between 1 February to 30 April 2026.

Generally, the deadline for submitting the Italian annual VAT returns is by the end of April of the following year. Find here the deadline confirmation for this year.

When Is the Italian Annual VAT Return Not Due?

Certain taxpayers might be exonerated from submitting the Italian annual VAT return. For example, when the taxpayers have only performed exempt transactions – according to article 10 of Presidential Decree no. 633/1972, the exemption does not apply in the case of performing intra-Community transactions. Find here the complete list of exempt taxpayers.

Submission of Italian Annual VAT Returns

The submission is always made via electronic means to Revenue Agency. This is mandatory also for non-established companies registered only for VAT purposes.

Italian VAT Refunds

Generally, VAT refunds in Italy are requested via the annual VAT return.

Normally, taxpayers need to set up a bank guarantee in order to receive the VAT refund. However, under certain conditions, the bank guarantee requirement can be replaced by a certificate known as "visto di conformita", which confirms that VAT return and VAT ledgers (calculated during the year) reconcile with each other, it should also confirm that VAT ledgers reconcile with each issued invoice. Only an Italian certified chartered accountant can issue the "visto di conformita".

Before accepting the reimbursement of the VAT credit, the tax authorities may also request copies of invoices. Please note that the authorities have clarified some VAT deduction rules for resident and non-resident businesses  

Get in touch if you need more information about the "visto di conformitá" procedure.

What Happens If the Annual VAT Return Is Not Submitted?

As of August 2026, the Italian tax authorities can automatically assess unpaid VAT when a taxpayer fails to file the annual VAT return in Italy (or files a return that is entirely missing the data on output transactions needed to determine turnover, in which case the return is also treated as not filed). This new procedure, set out in Provvedimento Prot. n. 239129/2026, implements article 54-bis.1 of Presidential Decree No. 633/1972, introduced by Law No. 199/2025.

The tax authorities may carry out this assessment until 31 December of the seventh year following the one in which the return should have been filed, without prejudice to their general powers to carry out audits. The VAT due is calculated by taking output VAT (from issued e-invoices, electronic receipts, and periodic VAT settlement communications) and deducting input VAT (from received e-invoices and periodic VAT settlement communications), as well as any VAT payments already made. Any VAT credit carried forward from the previous tax period is not taken into account.

In addition to the tax due, a 120% penalty and 4% annual interest apply. If the taxpayer pays within 60 days of receiving the notice, the penalty is reduced to one-third and interest is reduced to 3.5%. Payment must be made via Form F24, with no option for tax offsetting or instalment payments; if payment is not made within the deadline, the amounts due are registered directly and definitively in the tax collection rolls ("ruoli").

The assessment results are notified via certified email (PEC), sent to the address listed in the INI-PEC register or to the taxpayer's elected special digital domicile, or, failing that, by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt. The results are also made available in the taxpayer's online tax account (Cassetto fiscale). The taxpayer has 60 days to submit observations to the competent Provincial Office (or the Regional Office, for large taxpayers with turnover of €100 million or more).

Some Important Notes About Italian Annual VAT Returns

• VAT payment change of frequency: the option of changing from quarterly to monthly VAT payments must be communicated in the first annual VAT return to be presented after the choice is made and takes effect from the year in which it is exercised and until revocation - unless the change of payment frequency is mandatory because the threshold on sales turnover was exceeded.

• Correcting previous reporting periods: annual VAT returns in Italy offer the possibility of correcting figures reported during the year in the quarterly VAT returns. This is made via the section or “Quadro” VH for “variazioni delle comunicazioni periodiche”. All amounts for the whole reporting year must be included – and not only those of the quarter you want to correct.

• VAT refunds and carry forward: VAT credits in Italy are normally requested via the annual VAT return submission. Quadro VX allows you to determine what do you want to do with the excess of input VAT resulting from the reporting year: either to carry it forward to next year, or to claim it back from the Italian tax authorities. It is also possible to request part of the VAT credit, and ask for the remaining to be carried forward to the next year.

You will find more information about Italian VAT compliance rules in our manual.