Sardinian Yacht Tax Backfired

ANSA.it - Sardinian yacht tax 'backfired'

Mega Yachts Blog covered Sardina's announcement of a new port tax for mega yachts in "New Port Tax for Sardina, Italy" back in June. Apparently, the government's decision to tax mega yachts has had a negative impact on Sardina's economy. The tax, which was applied from June to September, yielded only 2 million euros while the cost of setting up the office to handle it was 5 million, the UCINA association claimed.

"This levy has been counterproductive for the local economy," UCINA chief Anton Francesco Albertoni said, noting that there had been a 60% surge in yachts mooring in southern mainland ports over the summer, "Sardinia would do better to promote its ports and coasts rather than punishing people that go there."

Under the levy pushed through by Sardinia's centre-left governor Renato Soru, owners of yachts between 14m and 16m paid 1,000 euros for mooring, with rates rising to a maximum of 15,000 euros levied on boats over 60m. Albertoni said he had invited Soru to attend the Genoa show in order to discuss the tax but had received no reply.