Monti takes on Church over taxes

Article discusses a controversial proposal of the technocratic government under Mario Monti would tax all Catholic Church properties which have a commercial function.

By some estimates the Italian Church and the Vatican together own 20% of real estate in Italy. Its more than 100,000 properties include almost 9,000 schools, 2,300 museums and libraries, 4,700 clinics and hospitals, and numerous hotels, stores and travel agencies.

The EU has also launched infringement procedures against Italy, arguing that tax breaks for the Church represent unfair competition.

Corriere della Sera, 16.2.12: The Church and Property Tax – Only Places of Worship Exempt http://www.corriere.it/english/12_febbraio_16/church-property-tax_e6d1b77c-5896-11e1-9269-1668ca0418d4.shtml

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