The numbers of the Shipping Itineraries Observatory, created by the Center for Social Security Studies and Research Center, presented today in Rome. “It is the middle class that takes charge of the welfare state”
“Almost one in two citizens does not pay even one euro of Irpefand just over a quarter of taxpayers takes charge of almost 80% of the tax. It is like in a football team: if only three players run and the other eight look, you don’t win any game ». Words of Stefano CuzzillaPresident of the Cida (the Italian Confederation Executives and High Professionalism), who presented the last in Rome on Tuesday 30 September Observatory on tax return made by Center for Studies and Research Itineraries Social Itineraries During the conference “The difficult financing of Italian welfare”.
Research data are impressive: in 2024, There were 42.5 million on a population of 58.9 million residents who presented a tax return. Of those who submitted the declaration, 11.5 million, members of the middle class pay 76.9% of the total tax while the remaining 31 million pay only 23.1%. “This imbalance wears the middle classdiscourages young people and puts the future of the country at risk. For this reason, on the eve of the budget law, we ask politics courageous choices: less evasion, more equity, real investments on work and wages, “said Cuzzilla.
For those who are passionate about numbers and statistics, the Observatory offers a lot of ideas. As he explained Alberto BrambillaPresident of the Center for Social Security Studies and Research, those who declare a null income are 1.2 million. From 0 to 7,500 euros of gross income declared, 7.2 million subjects are placed, 17.12% of the total, which pay on average 26 euros of Irpef per year and are therefore almost against the entire community.
In the immediately higher band, that of taxpayers who declare income between 7,500 and 15,000 euros gross per year are 7.6 million: in this case, the annual Irpef average paid for taxpayer is 296 euros, in the face – by way of example – of a per capita health expenditure equal to about 2,222 euros. Between 15,000 and 20,000 euros of gross income declared there are about 5 million taxpayers, who pay an average annual tax of 1,817 euros; They follow with income from 20,001 to 29,000 euros 9.7 million taxpayers, with an average tax of 3,750 euros. Then there are income between 29,001 and 35 thousand euros, a band in which 4.3 million taxpayers are placed: these pay an average tax of 6,254 euros per year and pay a total of 13.16% of the taxes.
Adding all income bands of up to 29 thousand euros, it is therefore highlighted that 72.59% of Italian taxpayers pay only 23.13%: of all Irpef: «A photograph closer to that of a poor country than a Member State of the G7 And which would seem moreover not very truthful looking at consumption and spending habits of the Italians, who only in 2023 have allocated to gambling, slot machine and online game included, about 150 billion euros or which, again, are at the top of Europe for possession of homes, motorcycles and motorcycles, smartphones and pay-tv subscriptions “, was Brambilla’s comment.
So who really pays taxes in Italy? To go up, the decomposition for Scaglione shows those just over 7 million sides with income over 35 thousand euros which, in essence, take charge of the financing of our welfare state. “Just look at these numbers to understand where the truth lies: less than a third of taxpayers supports over three quarters of the Irpef alone. It is a disproportion that we cannot ignore.
It is not a progressive system, but a mechanism that concentrates the tax burden on a minority and leaves the rest of the country on the shoulders of a few. Whoever earns from 60 thousand euros upwards, in fact, always ends up paying for two: for themselves and for those who remain totally borne by the community. It is the trap of the middle class: many receive without giving, few damage without receiving. And it is on these few who holds the entire Italian welfare, “Cuzzilla pointed out.
Who added: “Today the real test is the budget law that same maneuver which, as Premier Meloni said, intends to focus on the middle class. We do not expect miracles, we know that the resources are few. But it is precisely in moments of scarcity that the courage of politics is measured. A paradigm change is needed: stop dispersing ephemeral bonus energies and start building long -breathing choices. If the middle class is really in the center, then you have to believe it to the end ».
