The Government adjusts the focus on short-term rentals, but for Forza Italia it is not enough. After the outcry in unison from Tajani and Salvini, the U-turn on the increase in the tax for rentals for tourist use comes, but only halfway. The flat rate tax will rise to 26% for properties that are rented through intermediaries or online portals, such as Airbnb or Booking: that is, the vast majority.
The correction emerged after the passage of the text of the Budget law under the stamps of the State Accounting Office, but the Forza Italia supporters consider it insufficient and promise amendments.
How the law on short-term rentals is changing
The increase in the dry tax on short-term rentals had appeared in the previous draft of the 2026 budget, triggering protests from the two deputy prime ministers.
The law established the increase in preferential taxation on first homes for rentals under 30 days, which had been lowered to 21%. According to the current rules, in fact, owners have the possibility in their tax return to opt for this rate for at least one house, paying 26% from the second onwards.
In the Budget Bill the threshold would have been raised again both for private individuals and for those who carry out real estate brokerage activities or manage online portals. But Tajani and Salvini called a halt.
In the latest version of article 7 of the text, the dry tax on income from short-term rental contracts was then brought back to 21%, unless, it should be noted, rentals were concluded during the tax period through entities carrying out real estate brokerage activities or managing online portals.
The increase would therefore only concern houses rented through online platforms such as Airbnb and Booking, which however represent almost 90% of the approximately 502 properties for tourist use.
The change of direction
The current correction on short-term rentals is one of the main changes to the text of the Maneuver approved by the State Accounting Office and which has increased from 137 to 154 articles.
However, the Government’s partial reversal on the tax does not change anything according to Marco Celani, president of Aigab, an association representing around 800 operators in the sector:
The short-term rental market practically passes entirely through online portals. With this formulation the substance of the intervention which increases the tax burden on these incomes does not change. We reiterate our critical opinion on the measure which is a disguised patrimonial measure
The solution does not even satisfy Forza Italia, which continues to promise battle on the increase, as confirmed by Senator Roberto Rosso:
Taxation on short-term rentals must remain as it is today. We will never make money on the homes of Italians, a commitment that we have made to the voters and which must be kept. We will therefore work in Parliament to ensure that there is no burden on those who rent a single home. Whether this happens through real estate intermediaries, online platforms or with any other tool. We cannot penalize small property owners
