Government may extend tax breaks in earthquake zone
Agriculture minister says taxes may be suspended till June 2013
03 September, 16:55
(ANSA) - Modena, September 3 - The Italian government is
considering extending a suspension of taxes for businesses hurt
by May's deadly earthquakes in the Emilia-Romagna area,
Agriculture Minister Antonio Catania said Monday."We are working to find an objective criterion that allows (the government) to move beyond June 2013 for those who had suffered damage due to the earthquakes" Catania said during a visit to the areas devastated by quakes, adding the current suspension runs until the end of November. As of June 1, Italian tax-collection authories stopped collecting taxes in the areas hit by the deadly earthquakes.
The government said fiscal levies would be suspended in the affected area until it gets back on its feet.
The tremors, which killed 27, caused damage estimated at 1% of Italy's GDP, wrecking the region's prized biomedical and agro-food hubs.
While in the region on Monday, the minister met with agricultural and institutional representatives.
He said his department is trying to sort out which producers are still suffering the effects of the earthquakes, from those who have recovered.
"There is still the intention to implement further extensions for those who were actually damaged by earthquake," he said. "In fact, there are also those who do not need any more extensions".
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