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A. S. Bergantino: Tonnage tax: the Italian proposal and the European experiences
and consequently, the reduction of the non-monetary burden of the taxation
(Bergantino - Longobardi, 2001).
In a number of respects, tonnage tax is altogether consistent with the
overall philosophy of the ltalian tax reforrn scheme, as outlined in the accompanying
report to the Bill. Tonnage tax, in fact, can be viewed as the
tODI through which the tax regime of the shipping sector can be adapted
to a scenario of globalisation; it provides clarity, simplicity and certainty
of taxation; it makes the tax system more neutral when it comes to investrnent
decisions; it conforrns the national tax system to the ones prevailing
in the rest of Europe; and lastly, though at the moment only indirectly,
it safeguards employment in the maritime sector and in the related
on-shore industry.
As for Italy, opting for the introduction of tonnage tax was, after all,
unavoidable. In a sector so widely exposed to intemational competition,
one could only but conforrn to competitors.
The idea of linking the measure to extra-fiscal objectives, according
to experiments that have been successfully carried out in other
countries, is to be carefully examined. Using tonnage tax as a way of
developing human capitaI is, for instance, an extremely interesting aspect
of the British experience. Also tying the system to predeterrnined
environmental standards, as it has been done in Norway, can prove a
valuable initiative.
The estimates provided in section 6, inevitably provisional on account
of the fact that neither the type of regime nor the coefficients have yet
been established, highlight the significant cost of the measure in terrns
of loss of tax revenue. The overall view of the tonnage tax should take into
account the potential induced effects on the overall tax revenues that
might stem, should the enhanced fiscal climate induce a re-Iocalisation
on the national territory of administrative and management activities that
had previously been transferred. Moreover, it should be noted that, relatively
to public expenditure towards other transport sectors (e.g. rai!ways),
the loss of revenues generated by introducing tonnage tax becomes
a1most insignificant.
The tonnage tax is a great opportunity: it can play a leading role in
re-Iaunching the process of growth and development of the whole industry.
The new regime should be constructed with the main aim of enhancing
the competitive edge of the "ltalian shipping system" on the
world market according to the "captive logic" referred to in the accompanying
report of the Bill; at the same time, it should be preserved from
the inevitably strong lobbying pressures which risk to alter the very nature
of the measure.
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