Italian VAT receipt lottery to fight VAT fraud

24 December 2019

In an effort to reduce VAT fraud, the Italian government are planning to launch a lottery based on VAT compliant receipts issued to consumers.

From 1 January 2020, most VAT receipts issued in Italy will show a unique code which will be automatically entered into a regular cash-prize draw organised by the government. 

It is hoped the scheme will encourage Italian consumers to ask for VAT receipts in order to be entered into the draw as these receipts can only be generated by secure e-registers provided by legitimate VAT registered businesses. This new scheme could help to stop fraudulent activities such as evading VAT on cash payments.

This follows Greece, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia and Malta who already operate a similar VAT lottery.