FLORENCE, ITALY – The Italian government’s IMU property tax is putting at risk agricultural production in the Chianti countryside of Tuscany, two local mayors complained Tuesday February 3, 2015.
“The IMU agricultural tax strikes at the soul of Chianti,” say Giacomo Trentanovi, the mayor of Barberino Val d’Elsa and David Baroncelli, mayor of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. “We believe the measure once again places a heavy burden on taxpayers and municipalities, and is going to penalize the economic potential of our region which is related inescapably to the vocation of rural life in Chianti,” they said.
Chianti is internationally famous, particularly for its production of wine, olive oil, and related products, but mayors accused the national government of “harassing” property owners with the tax that they say could drive many out of business when it should instead being “giving a hand” during the ongoing economic crisis.