Italy

In general terms, inherence can be described as the relationship between the cost and the enterprise, where the cost has a specific relevance to the determination of income; this is a result of its connection not to a specific revenue, but rather to an activity potentially able to produce income. Based on this assumption, in order to consider a cost deductible (i.e. inherent), the taxpayer is required to demonstrate clearly the connection with the activity, providing the tax authority with "sufficient" documentation.

By replying to a request for advance ruling the Italian Revenue Agency has clarified some tax aspects on virtual currencies, and more specifically on the so-called bitcoins held by individuals outside their business activity.

Following a public consultation on draft regulations designed to provide operational guidance on transfer pricing in line with the international evolution that has occurred at OECD level (the BEPS project), the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance issued the Decree of May 14 2018 on the application of the arm's-length principle based on international best practices (published in the Official Gazette number 118 of May 23 2018).