10% VAT returns for Marina Resorts but watch out for requirements

The long battle over the application of 10 percent VAT instead of 22 percent for those mooring in a marina that has the “Marina Resort” classification is over. As of January 2021, after the suspension of the relief in 2020, the 10% VAT relief becomes applicable again for annual or multi-year contracts for stationing a boat in Marina Resorts.

10% VAT as hotels, RV parks

The “Marina Resort” classification allows a marina with certain requirements to be equated with other tourist accommodations, such as hotels, bed&breakfasts, residences, and RV parking areas that already benefit from 10 percent VAT. A sacrosanct rule for a well-equipped port that has had since its first nationwide application in 2016, but has been at various stages challenged and rendered inactive by continuous appeals and rulings.

Now in the Budget Bill 2021 it seems that a tombstone has been put on the issue.

Watch out for the sneaky ones! You can get in the way

Just as long as there are no more embarrassing stories of facilities that, without having the necessary requirements to obtain the “Marina Resort” classification, exploit the situation to evade VAT. Such as the case of a mooring company on Elba Island that evaded 300,000 euros in VAT by improperly declaring itself a “Marina Resort” without meeting the requirements, as the Portoferraio Guardia di Finanza report states: “…management of the tourist landing was carried out in the absence of cleaning services of the water mirror and sanitary facilities of common use as well as solid waste collection and disposal services.”

A word of advice, always make sure the marina is certified as a “Marina Resort” before you greedily accept the VAT discount! You might get caught up in it, too.

L.O.

*pictured, the Marina di Sant’Elena, ten minutes from St. Mark’s Square in Venice, is certified as a Marina Resort. There, it is then possible to take advantage of the 10 percent VAT rebate on annual or longer mooring contracts.

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