Rome – A new opportunity for taxpayers struggling with tax debts: the 2026 Budget Law is preparing to launch the "Scrapping Five," a tax amnesty that promises to revolutionize tax repayment plans.
The measure, still being finalized, will allow debts to be spread over 120 monthly installments, equal to 10 years, a much longer time horizon than previous amnesties.
What's more, to lose the benefits of the debt relief program, taxpayers will have to miss eight consecutive payments, a threshold that makes the plan more accessible even for those navigating difficult financial waters.
But the changes don't end there. The amnesty provides differentiated payment options: for debts over €50.000 (the amount is still under discussion), ten-year installment plans will be available, but only with a substantial down payment.
For smaller amounts, however, shorter plans are being discussed, lasting up to five years, while for smaller amounts, a "balance and cancellation" could be introduced, a sort of partial amnesty. To prevent abuse, the government is aiming to introduce anti-fraud measures.
Anyone wishing to join must demonstrate real financial hardship by submitting proof of income and assets.
Furthermore, access to the debt relief program will be denied to those with pending legal disputes with the tax authorities over debts to be settled, a filter designed to discourage those simply seeking to gain time against the tax authorities' forced recovery actions.
The "Scrapping Five" is expected to be one of the key measures of the next Budget, but final details are expected in the coming weeks, when the government will clarify thresholds, requirements, and operating procedures. Meanwhile, thousands of taxpayers are already looking forward to this new opportunity to settle their tax debts.
The new tax debt relief package seems like a good thing to me, but I'm not sure if everyone can take advantage of this fifth installment plan. I hope there's clarification on the requirements and the installments to be paid.