How much are beach concessions worth for taxes?

How much do state-owned maritime concessions invoice?

And even more noteworthy are the statistics on how these economic performances have changed over time. In 2005, the first year for which data are available, the average turnover of each of the factories built on Italian state-owned maritime concessions was much lower, at 95,700 euros, for an income of 11,400. These are values ​​almost exactly half of the most recent ones. It means that in 14 years earnings have doubled.

In terms of revenues, the increase was approximately 32 thousand euros between 2005 and 2010, and 20 thousand between 2010 and 2015, years characterized by an economic crisis that justifies this slowdown. After 2015, revenues accelerated again, increasing by more than 31 thousand euros between this date and 2018, and by as many as 12 thousand euros in just one year, between 2018 and 2019. And all this happened in the context of a also quantitative growth, i.e. in the number of bathing establishments.

Dealer turnover grew

The other economic, professional and commercial activities did not go as well. Overall, the average turnover of these grew by 32.2% in the 14 years between 2005 and 2019, and the business income by 36.4%. Of course, in this cauldron there is everything from catering services, which grew by 52%, to pharmacies, which instead experienced a decline. And yet it is significant that beach concessions are among the small group of activities that have experienced the most significant economic performances in a period that was not simple on an overall level.

The majority have an ISA score of less than 8

This, of course, taking for granted the truthfulness of the tax declarations, which as we know often, especially in the past , did not accurately reflect the real situation. The same MEF numbers say, in fact, that the majority of beach establishments have an ISA (Synthetic Reliability Index) score of less than 8. The ISAs are indicators constructed by the Revenue Agency through statistical and economic methodologies that measure the consistency of the data provided by companies and professionals and therefore also their degree of transparency and reliability. Those who obtain a score above 8 can join a reward scheme. And only a minority make it.

Are the dealers' statements reliable?

The seaside sector is no exception, with 3,363 state-owned maritime concessions with a turnover exceeding 30 thousand euros and 142 with a lower turnover. This is 61.3% of the total. It is not surprising that in the larger bathing establishments and with Isa higher than 8 the revenues are on average higher, i.e. 233,800 euros, compared, for example, to the 16,400 of those few in which neither 30 thousand per year nor this is reached. Isa level.

Dealers who pay less than 2,500 euros in license fees

These numbers must be compared with those of the costs incurred, and among these in particular those of the concession fees paid. Which even going back decades are particularly low. In a letter to the Prime Minister in February, Agcom underlines that of the 29,689 concessions, 21,581 paid less than 2,500 euros per year. Among these there were therefore also those won at the time by those establishments with a turnover of 200 thousand euros and more.

Overall, the Competition Agency always calculates, the state revenue collected thanks to these fees was 115 million euros. A negligible figure compared to the estimated turnover of the sector, which for Nomisma would reach 15 billion including the very large black market.

The State collects very little from maritime state concessions

Furthermore, the fees are often not regularly paid and there are 235 million still to be collected, dating back to the years between 2007 and 2020. It seems clear that if the maritime state concessions were put up for sale via auction to the highest bidder, the State could obtain higher rents, more consistent with the income of establishments which in some areas of Italy, for example in Sardinia, on the Costa Smeralda, are true luxury resorts.

The reform of maritime state concessions

After the pronouncement of the Council of State, the European Court of Justice is also likely to intervene. But an overall reform is also expected which will put an end to an embarrassing controversy for Italy at community level and which leaves operators in the sector in uncertainty. But obviously there is no agreement between parties and trade associations on how the problem could be resolved, with the organizations representing businesses asking that in any case there is no derogation from the last extension, until 2034, as established by the legislator with modification of the decree of 19 May 2020, n. 34.

Because beach concessions don't invest

What is certain is that the great fragmentation of the ownership of bathing establishments and the impossibility of a change in management is at the basis of the lack of investments that has also occurred in this sector and in the tourism sector in general. Both because such low fees do not lead to undertaking new projects that can increase the added value to repay them, and above all because those in charge of the concessions are small companies with limited capital available.