Rai TV license fee: how they're turning it into yet another form of torture for Italians.

Ultimately, it's a real tax that's now shrouded in the mists of circulars, regulations, decrees, and appeals to the Regional Administrative Court (TAR). But shouldn't it have been simplified by paying through the electricity bill? It should simply be abolished.

di |
How to avoid paying the RAI license fee twice, a tax ordeal for taxpayers

HOW TO AVOID PAYING THE RAI LICENSE FEE TWICE –

No one is missing in the jungle: the Ministry of Economy, the Revenue Agency, large companies like Enel that are forced to act as tax collectors, consumer associations, the Regional Administrative Court (TAR), and the Council of State. The Rai license fee, the first installments of 70 euros arrive in July with the bill of electricity, it's turning into an ordeal. The usual ordeal for honest taxpayers, when they have to pay a tax, and in reality the RAI license fee represents a real tax rather than funding for the public service.

HOW TO PAY THE RAI LICENSE FEE –

A babel, yet another Babel regarding tax obligations, papers, rules, regulations and circularsWith the ministry writing and rewriting decrees, always at the last minute, and with the Revenue Agency acknowledging that "payment compliance presents some difficulties." Difficulties? In this case, Beppe Grillo is absolutely right: The RAI license fee has been transformed into torture. For the honest, while you'll see that the crafty (and there are many...) will somehow manage to get away with it and watch state television without paying a cent..

ALSO READ: TV license fee, the tax most hated by Italians. Edison is returning it to its customers.

REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION FROM THE RAI LICENSE FEE –

At the moment, According to official data, there are 817 exemption requests from Italians who don't own a TV. Will they manage to avoid paying? It's uncertain.Will a husband and wife who live in the same house be able to pay twice? It's possible. Then they might have to request a refund, with different documents and different signatures. Will those who have multiple electricity bills be able to pay multiple times? Another more than likely scenario, and other refunds will have to be factored in. These refunds were provided by the ministry with a decree so botched that it triggered a reaction from the Altroconsumo association, with an appeal that will be discussed at the TarWe therefore do not rule out the possibility of a favorable administrative ruling putting a stop to everything.

DOES IT STILL MAKE SENSE TO PAY THE RAI LICENSE FEE?

Recap. A seemingly sensible idea to eliminate license fee evasion has turned into an avalanche for citizens, who once again risk wasting time and money.. With some legitimate doubts in mind: does it still make sense to pay a license fee for the public service broadcast by a state-owned company, RAI, which does exactly the same things, in terms of programming, as competing private companies like Mediaset and La7? And which RAI finances this license fee? That of the political parties, of the political ringleaders, or that of the viewers?

TO KNOW MORE: Every year it takes 269 hours to pay taxes, what a waste

Want to see a selection of our news?

Don't Waste