Business · Economy · 10 hrs ago
Federproprietà urges tax break tied to lower rents for Italian shops
Federproprietà has asked Italy’s government for a tax break on commercial rents in the next budget.
The proposal would let landlords pay a simpler, lower tax on rental income, while requiring them to reduce rents for shopkeepers.
The association says this could help reopen empty premises and support small local businesses.
Italy lost about 156,000 retail and street-trading businesses from 2012 to 2025, according to figures cited in the story.
A previous projection warned that another 114,000 retail businesses could be lost by 2035 without new urban renewal policies.
Keeping local shops open can preserve nearby services and jobs, as well as help maintain community ties, especially for older people and those with limited mobility.
The government has not announced a decision; Federproprietà is urging it to include the proposal in the next budget.
Federproprietà has urged the Italian government to introduce a tax break for commercial rents in its next budget.
The association says landlords who benefit from the measure should lower rents for shopkeepers.
It says cheaper rents could help keep neighbourhood shops open and bring vacant premises back into use.
Confcommercio data cited in the article show Italy lost about 156,000 retail and street-trading businesses between 2012 and 2025.
- Who
- Federproprietà, represented by president Giovanni Bardanzellu and finance official Riccardo Pedrizzi.
- What
- It is urging the government to introduce a tax break on commercial rents, tied to lower rents for shopkeepers.
- When
- Ahead of the next budget; the article was published on 14 October 2026.
- Where
- Italy.
- Why
- The association says lower rents could support neighbourhood shops, reduce vacant premises and protect local services and jobs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Italy lost about 156,000 retail and street-trading businesses, according to Confcommercio data cited in the article.
A previous projection by Confcommercio indicates that Italy could lose another 114,000 retail businesses without new urban regeneration policies.
Federproprietà called on the government to include a tax break for commercial rents in its next budget.
- Proposal
- Tax break on commercial rents, linked to lower rents for shopkeepers
- Advocacy group
- Federproprietà
- Spokespeople
- Giovanni Bardanzellu and Riccardo Pedrizzi
- Businesses lost
- About 156,000 retail and street-trading businesses, 2012–2025
- Projected losses
- 114,000 retail businesses by 2035 without new urban regeneration policies
What people are saying
Every shutter that comes down leaves an emptiness in the economy and in the life of a neighbourhood.
The tax benefit must also help the person who keeps the shop open.
Rents, utilities, labour costs and tax pressure weigh on businesses that have narrow margins and less ability to absorb rising costs.
Defending neighbourhood shops means protecting jobs, services and social cohesion.