Hi @Francis1890,
It sounds a little complicated. We are soon in the same situation and I was hoping to avoid the same issue. We are just about to buy a house in the Como area that needs a lot of tender love and care. At the end of the day (two years...) we also plant to rent it out through airbnb to get some passive income when we are not there.
The plan is to complete the purchase in approximately two weeks time. I am now wondering if we should own it jointly or simply have one of us as an owner. Based on what you write above, single ownership seems to make more sense.
In addition, we may buy a second property down the line. My idea is then that the other party becomes the owner. There are then several tax questions.
1. There is a purchase tax on the fiscal value at 2%. This will apply to our first house purchase. If my wife buys the first house in her name and I buy the second house in my name, will I then also pay the 2% fiscal tax or will I have to pay the 9%? Does anyone know if this is judged by individual or jointly as we are married (not living in Italy) and we both have the Italian Codice Fiscale.
2. Airbnb can/will withhold 21% of the rental income if I/we are non professional host. Will this rate change if I/we own more than property (but less than five)?
3. The day we sell the property, does it matter how many we own when we sell? My understanding here is that the profit tax on gains per property is a flat 22%. Is this a correct understanding?
If there is anyone here with some insights, I would truly appreciate it.
Thanks
Jarl