What Is IMU — Italy’s Main Property Tax Explained
A clear guide for foreign homeowners
If you own a property in Italy, you’ve probably heard of IMU — short for Imposta Municipale Unica, or Municipal Property Tax.
It’s the main annual tax paid to the Comune (municipality) where your property is located.
Let’s make it simple.
1. Who Has to Pay IMU
IMU applies to owners of real estate — houses, apartments, land, or buildings.
You must pay it if:
You own a second home or vacation property in Italy.
You rent out your Italian home.
You live abroad but still own property here.
You don’t pay IMU on your main residence (prima casa), unless it’s a luxury home (categories A1, A8, A9).
2. How IMU Is Calculated
IMU is based on your property’s cadastral value (valore catastale), multiplied by a coefficient depending on the property type, then by a tax rate (aliquota) decided by each Comune.
Formula (simplified):
Cadastral value × Coefficient × Tax rate = IMU due
Example (second home):
If your property’s taxable base is €100,000 and your Comune’s rate is 0.86%, you’ll pay:
👉 €100,000 × 0.0086 = €860 per year
3. When to Pay
IMU is paid twice a year using the F24 form:
First payment (acconto): by June 16
Second payment (saldo): by December 16
If you buy or sell a property mid-year, you only pay for the months you own it.
4. How to Pay
You can pay IMU using the F24 form at any Italian bank, post office, or online.
Foreign owners can also pay from abroad through their Italian bank account or by arranging payment through a local tax consultant.
Main IMU codes:
3918 – Second homes
3912 – Main residences (luxury)
Want to Learn More?
If you want to calculate your IMU step by step — including examples, forms, and official codes — check out my guide:
Italy Property Taxes Made Simple, available on Amazon.
Final Tip
Always check the official website of your Comune: rates may vary, and local councils can change them every year.
Owning property in Italy should be a pleasure, not a source of confusion.
This blog will help you keep it that way.
