I just found out there is a TV tax. Does anyone know how the government authorities know wheteher you have a TV or not? I understand there are stiff penalties for not paying.

Here they send the notice to everyone, and you would need to declare to them you don't have a TV (includes DVD players, computers too). I've heard of people being visited by the Guardia di Finanzia to verify they don't have TVs.

Is there a place on their website to opt out? I couldn't find it.

We got a form in the mail about the TV tax. I mailed the form back to them with a letter from the base legal office saying I didn't need to pay.

Bill, even though you are a resident you are still not required to pay? I just sent in my yearly fee (late)...I remember hearing before that active duty military weren't required to pay, but retirees?

I received the one bill when I was active duty- haven't received another.

I never received anything in the mail. When I bought the TV they never took any info from me other than my credit card. I bought the TV over a year ago from a superstore. Should I pay the tax or just wait until they send me something. I hear they can come and check if you have a TV but they need a search warant. Sems unlikely as I am in a rural area.A lot of people just dont pay it. I have done evrything legally here and don't want to break the law, but it sems that the TV tax is really ridiculous.

I had someone come round to my block to check on my licence. Told him the truth that I didn't have a TV and he went away.

They have mobile detecting equipment that can identify what room the TV is in and which channel you are watching. Although (unlike the UK) there are not many. From there they can tell if you have paid the fee or not. I believe it is an ownership fee rather than an operating one i.e. only watching satellite channels does not get you off. If you buy a new TV the seller generally feeds your details back to the licensing authority where they cross check your licence status. Applies to TV cards in computers as well. I pay mine but I have never heard of anyone falling foul of the law on this, that said it is up to you to declare your status Ignorantia juris non excusat

quote:

Originally posted by mitchell:
Should I pay the tax or just wait until they send me something.

Ask at the Post Office. They should have the paperwork. Ours does. You can pay online but only after the first year.

Speak of the devil- got the bolletino in the mail this morning. Hopefully I'll be able to pay it with Carta PostePay online.

OK one more new thing to wonder about....i have a rental furnished does come with a tv...who would a tv tax bill come to and when would it likely come...we have been here a bit over a year and have never heard of this or seen anything..rental agent never mentioned it no did my landlady...so do i need to worry?

I wouldn't worry unless they send you the bill. Maybe the landlady has been paying it.

BTW this one I got is for €30,12 , but has a different conte corrente than the TV canone, so can't pay online. I'll stop by the poste next week.

Who does the bill come from...just in case it comes here and i don't think it junk mail(ie what agency)

It says RAI in the upper left corner of the envelope and has their logo.

Thanks....

For 2008 mine was EU106, it does not mention RAI but Ag. Entrate ufficio TO 1 S.A.T. sportello abbonamento TV.
Then lower down:-
Rinnovo abbonamento TV Anno ****

Hey Chris- what's the conte corrente? Mine shows 9100.

This link (partially in English) should explain, and answer many questions regarding the TV licence and payment in Italy...
>RAI TV LICENCE<

Conto corrente is 3103

Thanks!