The Senate approves the fuel-Ilva decree: measures on excise duties and steelworks

The Senate Chamber has definitively approved the fuel-Ilva decree. The provision, which had to be converted into law by 25 September, provides for the temporary cut in the price of diesel ordered at the end of July (14 cents of excise duty plus three of VAT) to which are added the two subsequent law decrees 'decanted' to Montecitorio to extend the reduction until 6 September. A further measure allocates 11.4 million for the road haulage tax credit. The legislative decree also introduces a 39% advance on the tax on dividends of large energy companies and authorizes a new onerous loan, up to 100.5 million for 2026 in favor of Acciaierie d'Italia. Finally, the decree law provides for a fiscal squeeze on the gaming sector.

To finance the excise duty cut, the government is asking for a temporary contribution from large energy companies. The measure is not defined as a tax on extra profits. Instead, it is a tax advance of 39% on the profits of companies with revenues exceeding 20 billion euros, when the distribution of profits was decided in the 2025 financial year. The advance payment concerns only withholdings and substitute taxes relating to profits whose distribution was decided before the entry into force of the law and whose payment is expected after 31 December 2026. In exchange for the advance payment, companies are granted a tax credit of equal amount. The credit can be used when the profits are actually paid, to deduct the withholdings and substitute taxes due.