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USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
How the Child and Dependent Care Credit can cut summer camp costs in 2025
Return-to-office mandates often trigger a return to big bills for summer day camps. So, it doesn't hurt to take a refresher course now on how one decent tax break can help save families a few bucks. Many parents might not realize it, but you can get a bit of relief from the high cost of day care bills and summer day camps paid in 2025 when you file your tax return next year. What is the Child and Dependent Care Credit? The Child and Dependent Care Credit applies to children who are younger than 13 when the day care is provided. You'd complete Form 2441 to calculate the credit and file the form along with your 1040 federal income tax return. Taxpayers also can review IRS Publication 503 for rules. "Summer day camp expense can be claimed only if the care was necessary for the taxpayer to do work or to look for work," said Brandon Nishnick, manager for tax practice and ethics for the American Institute of CPAs. "The primary purpose must be for child care and the camp must be a daytime-only program," he said. Expenses associated with sending children to an overnight camp would not qualify. Typically, you're able to recoup only a small portion of your costs. Yet, no one should leave money on the table and ignore the credit if they qualify to claim it. "In general, to qualify, parents must work or be full-time students and use a day care, summer camp, or another program while they work and the provider must have a Social Security Number or Federal Identification Number that will be needed to apply for the tax credit," said Mark Steber, chief tax officer for Jackson Hewitt Tax Services. How do you calculate the tax credit for summer camps? The Child and Dependent Care Credit is calculated as a percentage of your qualifying expenses, which ranges from 20% to 35%, depending on your adjusted gross income, according to Nishnick. If a taxpayer has a qualifying child under the age of 13, typically they can claim up to $3,000 in eligible care expenses or $6,000 for two or more children. 2026 tax planning: Don't expect a speedy tax refund in 2026 from an understaffed IRS The maximum credit ends up being up to $1,050 for some taxpayers with one child or dependent. And it can be as high as $2,100 for some taxpayers with two or more children or dependents. Or it can be much less than that. How much you'd save in taxes would vary based on your income and your expenses. The value of the credit declines as your income goes up. Consider this example: Take someone who has two children under 13. Say they spend $8,000 in the year for care expenses. Only $6,000 is eligible in this case to be taken into account as an expense for the credit. If your adjusted gross income is $45,000, you would receive a credit of $1,200, which is 20% of the $6,000 in eligible expenses, Nishnick said. Again, expenses must be associated with what you'd pay for care during the time you went to work or were looking for work. We're not talking about what you'd pay a sitter on the weekend to go out to a concert. In order to go to the office or work site, many parents must arrange for care, and paying for the child to attend a day camp program is one such option. Make sure to keep detailed records now "As a credit, it is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax owed," said Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting in Riverwoods, Illinois. The credit is a nonrefundable tax credit on 2025 returns that can reduce the amount of income tax you owe. But Luscombe noted there is no credit to the extent that no tax is owed. It won't generate an additional refund if your tax liability for the year is less than the credit amount. What you want to do now is keep good, detailed records of your child care expenses, including the camp expenses and provider information if related to a summer camp. The biggest mistake that parents make, some experts said, is failing to keep records of child care during the year, including amounts paid and the address and Taxpayer Identification Number of the summer camp or child care provider. Nishnick said parents should take time now to ensure that their care provider is eligible if they plan to claim the credit. "They cannot be your spouse, the child's parent, a dependent, or a relative under the age of 19. The care provider must be properly documented with a name, address and taxpayer ID," Nishnick said. And don't expect to get any credit for an overnight camp. "For example, if the parent works a third shift or overnight such as in a hospital, these costs for an overnight camp would still not qualify," Nishnick said. Your child's age at the time the care is provided remains a key factor. "The care must be for a child who is under the age of 13 at the time the care is provided," Nishnick stressed. "For example, if the child turns 14 the second day of summer camp, then the remainder of those expenses would not qualify." Unfortunately, Steber said, parents often overlook or forget to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Or some try to claim ineligible expenses toward the credit. Some parents, of course, have been able to work remotely in previous summers since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. Yet, we're continuing to hear about more return-to-office initiatives. Ford Motor, for example, announced in June that the automaker is calling the majority of its salaried workforce back to the office four days a week, effective Sept. 1. More families could be juggling more child care expenses and might want to brush up on available tax breaks. The Child and Dependent Card Tax Credit can work whether you itemize deductions or claim the standard deduction. Make no mistake, the rules as they are right now are complicated. "The credit is calculated based on your income and a percentage of expenses that you incur for the care of qualifying persons to enable you to go to work, look for work, or attend school," according to the Internal Revenue Service. Currently, Luscombe noted the credit phases down from 35% of expenses for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $15,000 or less to 20% of expenses with up to $43,000 in AGI. It never falls below 20%. The total expenses that you may use to calculate the credit may not be more than $3,000 for one qualifying individual or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals. If you use a flexible spending account at work, though, you're not going to be able to claim what you spent out of that account. If you saved $1,000 in a flexible spending account and used that money toward day care or summer day camp expenses, for example, you could calculate the dependent care credit based on up to $2,000 in expenses for one child. The IRS has an online tool that can help you run some numbers to see whether you qualify to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Who qualifies? It's not just expenses for children. "A qualifying person generally is a dependent under the age of 13, a spouse or dependent of any age who is incapable of self-care and who lives with you for more than half of the year," the IRS states online. Some tax rule changes could be ahead Going forward, some changes in the child and dependent care credit could be ahead for 2026 expenses. On July 1, the U.S. Senate narrowly approved tax-and-spending legislation that President Donald Trump calls "One, big, beautiful bill." The package went to the U.S. House, where it passed July 3. It was being sent to Trump to be signed into law. The Senate reconciliation bill includes a proposal to increase the maximum rate to 50% from 35% of qualifying expenses for lower-income families. Luscombe noted that this change is proposed to be effective starting in 2026. Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, said a broader range of households would see a higher credit value for eligible dependent care expenses on their tax return under the Senate version. The 50% credit rate would phase down for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $15,000. For example, the percentage used to calculate the credit could be reduced from the new 50% mark by 1 percentage point, but not below 35%, for each $2,000 that the taxpayer's AGI exceeds $15,000. The percentage would then be further reduced, but not below 20%, by 1 percentage point for each $2,000 ($4,000 for joint returns) that their AGI exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 for joint returns). Watson noted that the Senate proposal was scored by the Joint Committee on Taxation, a nonpartisan government agency, as costing about $9.3 billion over 10 years. Contact personal finance columnist Susan Tompor: stompor@ Follow her on X @tompor.
Time Business News
7 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
What Happens to My Credit History? Amicus Discusses Financial Erasure and Rebuilding
VANCOUVER, British Columbia In the process of legally changing one's identity, there is one pressing and often misunderstood question: What happens to my credit history? Whether individuals are starting fresh to escape harassment, protect their privacy, or manage reputational risk, the financial trail they leave behind can present a significant challenge. Amicus International Consulting, a global leader in lawful identity change and offshore reinvention, explains that financial erasure and credit rebuilding are possible—if handled legally and with full awareness of the consequences. In 2025, starting over means not only acquiring a new legal identity but understanding how to reconstruct a compliant and functional financial identity from the ground up. This press release examines the impact on credit history following a legal identity change, the process of rebuilding financial access, and the risks to avoid during the transition. Why Credit History Can Become a Liability Credit reports were designed as risk tools for lenders. But in the digital age, they've become identity markers, exposing private details about a person's past, including: Previous addresses Employment history Legal name changes Loan and mortgage activity Judgments, defaults, or collections Social Security Number (in the U.S.) This data is often sold or shared with insurance providers, employers, landlords, and surveillance agencies. For clients undergoing legal identity change, an old credit report can become a map leading directly back to their former self. 'Most clients are shocked when they learn how much their credit file reveals,' said a compliance advisor at Amicus. 'You can have a new name, a new passport, and even a new nationality—but if your bank account still uses your old SSN or ID number, the system will find you.' Can Credit Histories Be Erased? The Legal Reality Amicus is clear: credit history cannot be deleted, but it can become disassociated from the person who no longer uses that identity. Here's how it works legally: In countries like the United States and Canada , credit files are tied to a Social Security Number or SIN, not just a name. If a person stops using that number and legally updates their name, the old credit file becomes dormant over time. , credit files are tied to a Social Security Number or SIN, not just a name. If a person stops using that number and legally updates their name, the old credit file becomes dormant over time. In countries with national ID systems (like Germany or Singapore) , a new ID number can be issued after naturalization or legal residency, which creates a fresh financial identity. , a new ID number can be issued after naturalization or legal residency, which creates a fresh financial identity. In non-credit-scoring countries such as Paraguay or Georgia, credit histories are not centralized. Rebuilding there is not only easier—it's sometimes unnecessary. The key is not to erase, but to transition legally and cleanly to a new financial profile. Case Study 1: A U.S. Executive with a Damaged Credit Trail After a failed startup and multiple lawsuits, a 45-year-old American businessman found himself with a damaged reputation and a near-zero credit score. Though never convicted of wrongdoing, lenders and partners refused to work with him. Amicus helped him: Legally change his name in Belize Obtain economic citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis Close U.S.-based accounts and settle outstanding obligations Rebuild credit in Georgia using a new financial profile Today, he owns a logistics company serving African and Eastern European markets, and has no financial ties to his U.S. debts. What Steps Are Required to Rebuild Credit Under a New Identity? Amicus outlines the following legal and ethical approach to rebuilding credit without fraud or deception: 1. Legally Change Identity This means changing your name through a court order or acquiring a second citizenship. A competent government authority must legally issue all documentation. 2. Deregister from the Old Financial System Close all accounts, settle debts (or legally write them off if possible), and cease use of old identifiers such as SSNs or national IDs. This includes removing access to credit cards, utilities, and even phone plans in the old name. 3. Re-establish Residency and Tax Status Secure legal residency or citizenship in a jurisdiction that allows credit rebuilding from scratch, such as Paraguay, Panama, or Georgia. This ensures a clean break from previous registries. 4. Open New Bank Accounts and Apply for Initial Credit Instruments These may include secured credit cards, prepaid debit cards with credit-reporting features, or basic financial services that build a trackable payment history under the new identity. 5. Establish Local Financial Behaviour Using mobile phone plans, rental agreements, utility accounts, and timely bill payments, the client builds a new credit file. In many countries, credit is calculated based on banking and utility behaviour rather than centralized scoring bureaus. 6. Apply for Micro-Loans or Tier 1 Credit Once a payment pattern is visible, clients are coached on when and how to apply for low-risk financial instruments. These are used not for access to credit, but to grow legitimacy. Expert Interview: Credit Strategy Analyst Emma Bastien on Identity Change and Credit Files Q: Can you build a credit score from scratch under a new identity? Bastien: 'Yes, but it must be done in a jurisdiction that accepts the new identity as the legal starting point. You can't use a U.S. bank if you still have U.S. tax residency, but try to apply under a new name. That's fraud.' Q: How long does it take to rebuild a functional credit history? Bastien: 'Usually 12 to 24 months. You need to show account stability, timely payments, and income activity. Amicus clients tend to succeed faster because their transitions are coordinated properly.' Q: Is it legal to walk away from your old credit file? Bastien: 'You're not walking away from legal obligations. But if you've changed your legal identity, and you no longer use the SSN or ID linked to that credit file, you are not fraudulently evading it. That's a key legal nuance.' Case Study 2: A Woman Escapes Abuse and Rebuilds Financially After fleeing an abusive marriage in Australia, a 37-year-old woman found herself unable to rent housing or open a bank account due to debts her ex had racked up in her name. Amicus helped her: Today, she resides in Panama City, operates an online art business, and maintains three banking relationships, all of which are unrelated to her former partner or past debts. Avoiding Illegal Mistakes During Credit Erasure and Rebuilding Some individuals unknowingly cross legal lines during financial identity transitions. Amicus identifies the most common errors: Using a false identity or forged documents Even if the motivation is to escape debt or trauma, using fake IDs is criminal in every jurisdiction. Even if the motivation is to escape debt or trauma, using fake IDs is criminal in every jurisdiction. Applying for loans while hiding a name change If a name change has occurred but is not disclosed to the lender as required by law, it may be considered financial misrepresentation. If a name change has occurred but is not disclosed to the lender as required by law, it may be considered financial misrepresentation. Mixing old and new identities on financial forms Using the new name on a form while entering an old SSN or national ID creates audit triggers and potential legal issues. Using the new name on a form while entering an old SSN or national ID creates audit triggers and potential legal issues. Failing to update the tax authorities In countries with an automatic exchange of information (CRS), failing to update your tax residency and identity details can result in non-compliance. Case Study 3: A Clean-Record Entrepreneur Who Wanted a Reset A 52-year-old software entrepreneur had no legal issues, but he wanted to protect his privacy after being acquired by a publicly traded company. His credit was good, but he feared long-term visibility due to business rivalries and reputation risks. Amicus helped him: Change his name via court order in Belize Move his investment portfolio into a trust registered in Liechtenstein Open bank accounts under his new identity in Switzerland and Singapore Build a new credit file in Paraguay, where he resides full-time Today, he has an excellent credit rating under a new identity and manages his affairs privately and legally. Where to Rebuild Financial Identity Safely and Legally Amicus recommends the following jurisdictions for clients starting over financially: Georgia welcomes foreign investors and does not rely on traditional credit bureaus welcomes foreign investors and does not rely on traditional credit bureaus Paraguay : Easy residency, minimal bureaucracy, and non-centralized credit : Easy residency, minimal bureaucracy, and non-centralized credit Panama : Banking-friendly for new identities with structured onboarding : with structured onboarding St. Lucia and Dominica : Strong CBI programs and global banking access : Strong CBI programs and global banking access Uruguay : Trusted by financial institutions and protective of privacy : Trusted by financial institutions and protective of privacy Belize: Known for business registrations and high privacy laws These countries permit the establishment of new financial files legally without requiring disclosure of prior identity, if proper documentation is provided. Rebuilding Financial Integrity with Amicus Amicus offers its clients more than documentation. Financial reintegration includes: Coordinated bank account openings under the new identity Creation of trusts or holding companies for asset protection Tax ID registration with the new jurisdiction Guidance on micro-lending and credit scoring systems Legal advice on compliance with FATCA, CRS, and KYC regulations Every client receives a personalized financial reintegration plan tailored to their new legal status and economic objectives. Conclusion: Credit Isn't Erased—It's Replaced Legally The concept of 'erasing' credit history is misleading. In 2025, the focus is on disconnecting from the past and rebuilding under the present legal identity. With proper legal documentation, structured onboarding, and awareness of jurisdictional requirements, individuals can establish new financial reputations that support housing, banking, travel, and investment, without fear of exposure or illegality. Amicus International Consulting ensures that clients don't just disappear—they financially re-emerge stronger, smarter, and fully compliant. Contact InformationPhone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
India Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Why Soham Parekh, the startup scammer, isn't the only one to blame
He had a catchy resume, whizzed past interviews and landed jobs at not one, but over 15 Silicon Valley startups. However, Indian techie Soham Parekh's only blip was that he was working at all of those startups at once - a moonlighting saga that has made him famous overnight and earned him an avalanche of how did Soham manage to pull it off in an age where background checks can be done with a simple click? Experts pointed out that it may be more than it meets the Soham's flight of fancy was busted by Suhail Doshi, co-founder of Playground AI, the founders of the startups where Soham worked wasted no time in coming out and accused him of deception and resume fraud. Yes, he might have exploited the loopholes of remote work culture, but how did he get past the verification process? Several users on X questioned how the startups did not even verify his location."He lies about his location. We thought we were hiring someone in the US. Even sent a laptop to a US address. Got it back! Allegedly, it was sent to his 'sister'," Suhail wrote while outing Soham's modus PROCESS?The US Tech Workers, a non-profit organisation operating under the Institute for Sound Public Policy, raised a pertinent question. How did Soham get past the I-9 employment eligibility verification process?As per rules, employers in the US have to mandatorily fill Form I-9 to verify an employee's identity and legal authorisation to work in America. It has to be substantiated using documents such as a valid visa and Social Security Number (SSN).SSN is a nine-digit number issued to US citizens, permanent residents, and temporary or working case raises questions about whether the startups that hired him diligently followed the verification process or bypassed it completely in a bid to hire talent media users pointed out that the startups might have remained silent as it was a win-win situation - get talent without having to break the bank."We all know the reason why - the amount paid would have been much less than what others based in the US would have demanded. So, the companies who are just blaming it on the employee are either being too naive or just plainly deflecting the blame on the weakest link," a user tweeted, "Now, it's managers who want to delegate before they can afford, so they hire cheap foreign labour so they can sit back and post about how great their startup is."Moreover, none also bothered to verify his resume. Sharing Soham's CV, the Playground AI founder pointed out that 90% of the content was fabricated, and the provided links were no longer WORK FRAUDadvertisementHowever, the story doesn't end the magnitude of the deception started unravelling, another US-based entrepreneur mentioned how the Indian techie used the tensions between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor to "guilt-trip" AI co-founder Arkadiy Telegin, who shared screenshots of his chats with Soham, claimed that the Indian techie pretended to be in a conflict zone during the hostilities and cited it for the delay in completing his said the Soham Parekh story was just "the tip of the iceberg", exposing a growing trend of remote work fraud.A viral LinkedIn post by Deedy Das, a tech investor, has detailed how several such Soham Parekhs were exploiting the remote model - using mouse jigglers (a tool with which one can simulate the movement of a mouse) and outsourcing his post, the investor cited a Reddit thread where an engineer claimed to be earning USD 8,00,000 per year juggling five the row, Soham, in an interview, said his actions were driven by a financial crunch and suggested that he worked 140 hours a Deedy Das suggested the claims to be misleading and fraud and pointed out flaws in his resume. "All this while saying he didn't want to 'center a div for 6hrs' in BigTech," Das tweeted.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'What about I-9 verification': US tech workers on Indian techie Soham Parekh's fraud amid mass layoff
Indian techie Soham Parekh is accused of working in multiple US startups staying in India. The news of Indian techie Soham Parekh working for multiple US-based startups while staying in India triggered a fresh row amid US companies announcing mass layoffs. Microsoft announced its second layoff of 9,000 workers in months, though the company is hiring H-1Bs -- skilled workers from foreign countries. As India and China mostly dominate the foreign hirings in tech, the news of an Indian techie working for several US companies staying in India spread rage among US workers who questioned how the startups did not even verify his location. 'He lies about his sent a laptop to a US address' Playground AI founder Suhail Doshi, who exposed Soham Parik,h said Parikh lies about his location. "He lies about his location. We thought we were hiring someone in the US. Even sent a laptop to a US address. Got it back! Allegedly, it was sent to his 'sister'," Suhail wrote. What about Form I-9, SSN? Form I-9 is a U.S. government form that employers must complete to verify a new employee's identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. Social media users questioned how Parekh could bypass several steps of verification that even include the requirement of a Social Security Number which many employers check to confirm work authorization. 'There's a lot being said about me right now' Amid the social media chatter that soham Parekh is only the tip of the iceberg and there are many such Indians robbing US tech workers of their jobs, an X account on the name of Soham Parekh issued a statement. "There's a lot being said about me right now, and most of you don't know the full story. If there's one thing to know about me, it's that I love to build," the statement read. It' not verified whether the account belongs to him. "I've been isolated, written off, and shut out by nearly everyone I've known and every company I've worked at. But building is the only thing I've ever truly known, and it's what I'll keep doing. Earlier today, I signed an exclusive founding deal to be founding engineer at one company and one company only. They were the only ones willing to bet on me at this time. The team is cracked, they back misfits, and they're building something absolutely insane in the video AI space. We're launching at the end of this month. More details tomorrow in my TBPN interview. I'm pissed. And I've got something to prove," the statement added.
Local Italy
27-06-2025
- Business
- Local Italy
What you can and cannot do as a non-resident in Italy
Foreigners in Italy are considered Italian residents for tax purposes if they spend at least 183 days out of the year in the country. Anyone not in this position is considered a visitor – and if you just enjoy coming to Italy on short visits, you'll probably want to keep things as they are. But if you own property in Italy and spend a significant amount of time here, you may be wondering whether it's worth taking the plunge and becoming a resident (for non-EU nationals, this will involve making a successful visa application). To help with your decision, here's a breakdown of the major things that you can and can't do as a non-resident foreigner in Italy. What can a non-resident in Italy do? Get a codice fiscale A codice fiscale is a 16-character personal identification code similar to a Social Security Number in the US or National Insurance Number in the UK. It's essential not only for completing bureaucratic tasks like paying taxes and registering for public healthcare, but also for things like buying and selling property in Italy or claiming an inheritance. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to get hold of, and shouldn't cost you anything. As a non-resident, you can apply through your nearest Italian embassy or consulate (some allow you to apply online). Alternatively, you can delegate an Italian resident to apply on your behalf by going in person to a Revenue Agency office. Buy property Non-EU foreign citizens are allowed to purchase property in Italy provided their country offers the same rights to Italian citizens; this applies regardless of residency status. This system is based on reciprocity, with Italy mirroring restrictions imposed by other countries. Canadians, for example, may run into more issues than people of other nationalities when buying property in Italy due to Canada's 'Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act'. Citizens of EU or European Economic Area countries have the same rights as Italian citizens when it comes to buying Italian property, regardless of their residency status. Bear in mind that owning property in Italy does not give you the right to stay in the country long term. Rent property Non-EU citizens from countries that come under the Schengen Zone's '90 day rule' can theoretically rent property in Italy for up to 90 days at a time. In practice, however, you'll struggle to persuade a landlord to sign a rental agreement if you can't produce evidence of your right to stay in the country beyond this period, such as a work permit or student visa. EU nationals can enter into the same rental contracts as Italian citizens without specific restrictions or the need to be an Italian resident, though landlords are likely to want to see proof of income. Apartment buildings in Prati neighbourhood in Rome. Securing a rental contract may be more difficult if you are not yet an Italian resident. Photo by Marie-Laure MESSANA / AFP Open a bank account It's possible to open a bank account in Italy as a non-resident, though you'll face a number of restrictions that residents don't have to deal with. Any foreigner aged 18 or over can open a bank account in Italy, but the full range of account types, from regular bank accounts (conti correnti) to savings and deposit accounts, is generally only available to legal residents. Non-Italian residents can only open international accounts (known as conti internazionali or conti correnti per residenti stranieri), which often come with a number of limitations regarding the banking services and operations that holders have access to. Take out a mortgage Again, there are no rules against non-residents taking out a mortgage in Italy, though getting a mortgage from an Italian bank is likely to be a complicated affair. Italian banks do not advertise non-resident mortgage products: you'll almost certainly require the services of a specialist mortgage broker in order to access this information, as well as to apply. As non-EU nationals without permanent residency are considered a greater risk by lenders, there are also more paperwork requirements and checks in place throughout the process than for residents. Pay taxes For those who own property or generate income in Italy, this is a legal requirement, even if you're not an Italian tax resident. Any money generated in Italy, such as rental income from a holiday home, must be reported to Italy's Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). Even if you don't make any money in Italy, as a property-owning non-resident you'll still have to pay the IMU property tax (Imposta Municipale Unica), which is owed by all owners of second homes in Italy, and the TARI waste disposal tax. What can't a non-resident do? Stay for more than 90 days at a time as a non-EU citizen Non-EU citizens without Italian residency can't stay in the country for longer than 90 days at a time (this could be less, depending on your nationality and visitor visa conditions). If you come to Italy on a long-term visa, you are required to register as a resident. EU citizens can stay as long as they want, but are required to register as a resident after three months. Have the right to work if you're from outside the EU Being a non-resident and owning Italian property doesn't give you any working rights in Italy if you're from a non-EU country. According to Italian law firm Mazzeschi Legal Counsels, people in this position can legally perform a very small amount of remote work during a short stay in Italy – but it would have to be a 'marginal' amount accounting for 'less than 5% of the worker's regular working time and/or less than 5% of his/her overall remuneration.' If you're from the EU or the EEA, you have freedom of movement and aren't subject to these rules. You can also apply for and be offered a job in Italy, but you'll then after three months. Register with the national health service As a non-resident foreigner in Italy, you won't be able to register with the country's national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN). As a non-EU visitor, you'll have access to emergency or urgent healthcare treatment in Italy, though any service you use will come at a cost. If you're from an EU country you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers the costs of medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in Italy. If you're from the UK, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which also allows you emergency healthcare here. In either case, this doesn't replace a full insurance policy, and travellers with either the EHIC or GHIC are advised to take out comprehensive travel health insurance as well. Buy a car If you don't have residency in Italy – even if you own property in Italy or have business interests in the country – you are not legally allowed to buy a car. According to the Italian highway code, you need to have registered your residency with an Italian municipality to be able to buy a new or used vehicle in Italy. While you might find a friendly neighbour willing to sell you their old motor regardless, you would need to register the change of ownership with the Motor Vehicles Office (Ufficio Motorizzazione Civile) and the Public Vehicle Registry (Pubblico Registro Automobilistico or PRA), which requires a residence permit or, for EU citizens, a residency certificate. Vote This one may seem obvious, but non-resident foreigners have no voting rights in Italy. By contrast, EU citizens who are resident in Italy can vote in both local and European parliamentary elections (though not national or regional ones, which are reserved for Italian citizens).
