They Don't Pay ANY Taxes?
About a 20-minute drive from my home sits an enormous casino which dominates the lakefront town of Campione D’Italia. In fact, if not for the casino, you'd hardly take any notice of this place!
The modern building, designed by the internationally renowned Mario Botta, ensures that the citizens of Campione D’Italia pay NO personal or municipal income taxes! No taxes? Wow what a concept!
The building that fuels this tax free town dominates over it. Photo credit: www.campioneitalia.com
One of The World’s Most Unique and Least Known Tax Havens!
Campione is one of the world's most unique and least-known tax havens, and therefore a very attractive option for those looking to escape the tax man! It is located on the lake Lugano, about a 10 minute drive from the city of Lugano and about 45 minutes from Milan.
This strange place is an Italian enclave in Swiss national and economical territory and is entirely surrounded by Switzerland. There are no border controls which means that there is complete freedom to pass in and out of the town.
The town benefits from a ferry service as well as abundant docking facilities. Photo credit: www.campioneitalia.com
What is an Enclave?
- In political geography, an enclave is a country or part of a country lying wholly within the boundaries of another country.
- The word enclave comes from the French, which in turn is derived from the Latin inclavatus meaning “shut in, locked up”.
- Some enclaves are countries on their own which are completely surrounded by another one. Examples of this would be San Marino in Italy, Vatican City and Lesotho in South Africa.
Here you see the well maintained lakefront with the city of Lugano in the distance. This and all other photos are mine.
What Are The Tax Benefits of This Haven?
Economically speaking Campione belongs to Switzerland with regard to banks, currency, duty, traffic, the postal system and the phone system.
Contrary to the rest of Switzerland there is no problem for foreigners to obtain residence as long as they provide proof of property ownership. In theory, it would even be enough to prove having rented an apartment or a house but in practice there is virtually no property available for rent because of both scarcity and demand!
The local authorities check to ensure that registered residents live at least some of the time in Campione. I can tell you that after many years of working in the area a vast number of the dwellings remain uninhabited and are quite obviously used to avoid taxation.
I once had a neighbor of mine who was a dentist and he kept a residence there but lived most of the time in Germany and in a nicer house near my home. The reason for this was simple. He paid NO TAXES!
A closer look at the colossal casino which was designed by the world famous local architect Mario Botta.
Although Campione's tax law is made within the framework of Italian tax law it has its own special regulations. There are no personal income tax and no municipal taxes at all in Campione because all of the community's income comes from its Casino!
According to a treaty between Switzerland and Italy it is necessary to use Swiss banks and therefore Campione is a part of the Swiss currency area with all payments and investments being made in Swiss Francs. Campione residents, unlike other foreigners in Switzerland, are not subject to Switzerland's double taxation agreements which it has with many other countries including the U.S.A. For this reason profits from real estate, stocks, bonds, and other transactions, whether national or international are not registered for tax purposes. They must however, be funneled through Swiss banks.
Quick Facts About Campione D’italia
- It has a small area of just 2.2 km²
- The population is about 2,200
- The enclave is, as the crow flies, less than 1 km from Italy but the mountainous terrain makes it a minimum of drive of 14 km.
The non border which marks the entrance to the town.
What is The History of Campione D’Italia?
- The Romans first settled it in the first century AD when they founded a garrison and called it Campilonum.
- In 777 Totone da Campione left the territory to the Milan and to the Monastry of Saint Ambrogio which was part of the ancient church built between 379–386 AD
- When Ticino (the southern Italian speaking Canton of Switzerland) chose to become part of the Swiss Confederation in 1798, Campione chose to remain part of Lombardy, which then became part of Italy in 1859.
Will You be Purchasing a Property in Campione D’italia?
If the price of Steem goes up to $10, $100 or even a $1,000 as some have speculated, you might have too!
What do You Think?
- Do you pay too much in taxes?
- Are there any tax havens near you?
- Do you actively do tax planning?
I hope that you enjoyed this article about "A Foreign Tax Haven Within Switzerland."
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
Remember, if you upvote my post and leave a comment I will do my best to upvote it with some of my 41,000 plus Steem Power!
Such an excellent piece!
Thank you for sharing this invaluable information with us all. I have the strange feeling many people will start congregating in the area now... ;) I really enjoy the pictures and your presentation style as well while being a full article including history, geography, etymology, your personal experience there and, of course, a rather important discussion about taxes.
Here, I definitely feel like I pay way too much taxes, especially when one knows that way too much of it goes to subsidy all kinds of wars while making sure the majority of people will stay enslaved within the confines of that system. Nevertheless, I do pay taxes every year and plan on it diligently.
finding myself in a place such as the one your have elegantly shared with us is definitely a strong attractor for me. Thanks again and namaste :)
Thanks for your input @eric-boucher! Yes we dutifully pay our taxes but with good planning we can reduce them somewhat.
Right.i agree with you my dear friend.It's realy beautiful place. I feelings very happy.
Everybody feels that they are paying to much taxes.
No tax havens in Norway that's for sure. In Norway we have a tremendous tax burden to support the welfare state. Recently the Socialist government introduces property tax in Oslo, the capital. With an already extremely loan leverage property market, this is an idiotic move. Campione looks great! With a Steem price of $1000 I certainly move there for sure.
I'm sure though that Norway is a beautiful place. We almost went there for our summer vacation. Next time!
Beautiful, yes! Tax haven, no! It is actually one initiative that has launched the first private 'city' in the southern Norway. There is supposedly no tax, the city is based on non-aggression and voluntaryism (http://www.liberstad.no)
and plz dont forget me ok take me with u :p
Oh Mario Botta è stato uno dei miei architetti preferiti quando ero all'università! L'ho anche conosciuto ad un convegno...Bravissimo. Devo dire che questa sua architetture è assai "importante" in quel delicato paesaggio di Campione....Insomma la sua architettura razionale a me piace molto ma , in questo caso specifico, l'inserimento nel paesaggio forse è un poco...troppo invadente...
Yes he is much loved in this area and architectural students and enthusiasts flock here to see and photograph his buildings. The casino is VERY big for its location!
In Hungary there are very high taxes. Our average income compared to the western income is very low. VAT is the highest in the world, I think, it is 27%, even at essential food! That's why half of Hungary's popularity is poor. Many people (1 or 2 millions) leaved the country for the promise of higher income and lower taxes. The tax audit is very strict, but only poor people are punished, often with a fine of HUF million, even for small things. The really wealthy billionaires cheat and steal taxes and buy everything in the country. However, most of their wealth is held abroad in tax havens. But I'm not envious of them, nor do I hate them because I know the law of karma.
Tax havens near Hungary? I don't know...perhaps Campione :)))
Tax planning? Yes, I'm more conscious in this thing, I note every income and cost, I ask for bills of eligible assets and materials.
I still do not complain, and I'm very grateful for the fate to get to know STEEM. This is my future I think!
What a great comment. Last year I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who had returned to Hungary from Australia after about 40 years abroad. She loves it and mentioned that it is much cheaper and perfect for pensioners. VAT on food. That's sad!
This is the fact here. I already know that I will not have a pension from the state. I have to take care of myself and here comes the opportunity of STEEM. In a few months I have created more value than before in 2 years. I cover my costs (mainly travelling) exclusively from here.
OMG @kalemandra! Poverty because of high tax!!!
I had heard that the real estate prices are very cheap there e.g. near the Lake Balaton. May be because of the higher availability of properties as you told that millions of people are emigrating out of Hungary and also because poor people don't have any disposable income to inflate the prices there. So isn't it a blessing in disguise? I mean, property prices are very steep in most parts of the developed world. Even if other commodity prices are cheap, you can't save enough to afford a decent property to live in. So I think if you save enough Steem, you may as well buy a property there with that 😊
BTW, it would be a lot more difficult to buy any property in Campione. This Old Dog just keep bringing us some piped dreams for us from his travels. LOL! But thanks to @kus-knee at least we get some stuff to dream on. (Some say dreams are good for health. Personally, I feel more healthier after such beautiful dreams. For me, this is a sort of health blog. Ha Ha!)
Yes the world is a strange place. I have no dream of going to Campione as I prefer a cabin in the woods!
Fascinating article! Do you have any idea how much the cheapest condo or cottage costs in that town? I have a feeling that property is very expensive. Can any EU citizen live there since it is part of Italy?
I'm not looking for a place but you could easily check the prices on line. For sure more expensive than outside of the town.
In Ukraine, we pay big taxes, my friend! I expect the growth of Steem, I want real estate there! Thank you @kus-knee for sharing!
Look at my beautiful roses blooming on the shore of the estuary:
https://steemit.com/photography/@olga.maslievich/daily-beautiful-rose-on-the-shore-of-the-estuary-for-you-4-original-pictures
Yes, we can never really escape them!
Enjoy your time kus-knee :)
You too happy wanderer!
Wow... Now I know where I want to move!!!
Whenever I see your avatar I go ape!
I resemble that remark! I had some kind of breakdown over the weekend and went a little ape (ok a lot) Sorry for the brevity of my remarks earlier, I was really sick! What a wonderful place to live that must be (or even visit) Not only do I like their tax structure, it looks absolutely beautiful. I wonder how they manage it without taxing everybody to death (voice dripping with sarcasm)!
New Hampshire here in the US used to be a little like that... there was no property taxes only a sales tax mostly on booze. All of the liberals that think the taxpayers should pay for all of their ambitious social programs moved there to avoid property taxes in Taxachusetts... How do you spell hypocricy??? I forget!
Thanks for these interesting information of a special city in our neighborood!
Hey air brush man! Thanks for the visit!
Hey Kus you'll be at the bbq this sunday?
I'm thinking yes!
That is a pretty good place , at-least no TAX (Sounds great)
and the place seems cool
definitely anybody would not miss the chance to move over to the Tax haven city .
Hmmm nice option near my home! And they have some nice "piadinas" too!
I will wait and see what happens to all the crypto I bought, haha.
Have a great day Old Dog!
Steemitri The Mannequin and Cryptotrader
Yes indeed. When I first moved to Switzerland I used to go to a Pizzeria there. I'll have to check out the Piadini!
My Dad is going to read this and tomorrow we'll be packing up and moving again - thanks a lot! No, just kidding,... I hope.
I loved YOUR photos by the way. Fortunately you had a gorgeous day of blue sky and sun to accent your subjects.
In regards to tax planning, a big giant YES. My parents have taught us a thing or two about economics and, let's just say we are not keen on income taxes. ( I don't even know what the hell the word keen even means, but it sounded good in that sentence.)
I am lining up my trip to Europe next Spring, and this is definitely a destination I'd like to hit.
We're thinking the same thing :D
That is so nice of you to say @piedpiper. Hope all is well in the South?
All's well over here. Working on a new construction project (cryptocurrency school and blockchain tech incubator) so I have almost zero free time but it fun anyway so I'm not complaining. The rain has made us have to pause work on Fort Galt until it dies up again.
I meant that we're thinking the same thing in regards to heading to Europe next but I guess a fan club isn't a terrible idea either. lol
Good to hear an update from you. I'm interested in Fort Galt and am following your progress.
Thanks. Great to meet you :)
An @gringalicious appreciation club!
Your Dad has trained you well but he had a very bright student. That helps!
That's so sweet of you! Thanks Old Dog
I remember Switzerland as a beautiful place, although I never did get to Lake Lugano. We visited some friends whose business there afforded them the ability to maintain a chalet in a rural area, where I was able to see wild Chamois, probably even more rare now, and was astounded by the Escargot 'ranching' operations raising snails for the culinary trade.
Actually, what I remember most clearly about the entire trip was losing my ability to enjoy cauliflower, as they kept an organic garden, and served us a meal prepared from it, including cauliflower they had grown. When I had speared a tasty looking chunk with my fork and raised it to my mouth, I was horrified to discover it was not cauliflower at all, but a grub the size of my thumb!
I've never eaten cauliflower since. =/
That's a funny story about the cauliflower. I had a similar experience eating cherries once! Thanks!
Wowww what a beauty! Amazing casino building, looks very creative and modern. This lake of Lugano is absolutely awsome!
I always wanted to visit Switzerland. Especially french speaking part of country, cos i can speak French as well)) Also i would visit the lake of Geneva, it's pretty big and very brautiful.
Thanks a lot for sharing your trip there, so i can travel with you by sitting on the couch LOL.
Have a nice and safe trip dear friend @kus-knee! You made my day!
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and comment!
I guess they can laugh at all those gamblers whose losses save them from having to pay taxes. I just pay what taxes I have to as a cost of living where I do. I'm against those who try to avoid paying as it costs the rest of us.
You're right. I don't gamble so they won't get any help from me. If we all paid a fair share and it was used properly we'd likely pay very little in taxes!
First let me say that building is an example of some nice and creative architecture!
Second, how the casinos fund the enclave reminds me here how the Native Americans have been able to finally get some rewards by going into the casino business strangely enough.
Thirdly, I never tried to be too aggressive in my tax strategies. I (perhaps foolishly) concentrated more on the top line. To my mind, I like to sleep well and night and our IRS is not to be trifled with. After all remember thats how they got Al Capone!
Yes the architecture of Mario Botta is amazing although I can't say that it always fits in with its environment. Tax planning not tax evasion. In any case you seem to have done very well for yourself!
You did a great job here, explaining the history of Campione. I'm pretty sure a lot of people in Lugano don't know anything about it. Upvoted and I'll follow you. I was born there (Lugano) and love the place. have a look to my posts...have a wonderful day.
Thanks so much! My son and I looked over your posts and your web site. Lots of talent!
Thanks a lot mate!!!
Enjoy the reading through out. What I understand that the dentist who works in Germany doesn't pay taxes in Germany since he is a resident of Campione. Is he practicing and earning in Germany?
I didn't delve much into his details and I'm sure that he had professional advisors.
We pay a lot of taxes, always to much.
If you want to open a commercial activity in Italy is like a suicide.
Next to me no taxes Heaven unfortunately.
Congrats for the article, very intersting and well done!
@kus-knee A new study has now uncovered all the world's corporate tax havens and, for the first time, revealed the intermediary countries that companies use to funnel their money into these places.
Published on July 24 in the academic journal Scientific Reports, the paper Uncovering Offshore Financial Centers: Conduits and Sinks in the Global Corporate Ownership Network shows that offshore finance is not the exclusive business of exotic, far-flung places such as the Cayman Islands and Bermuda.
The Netherlands and the United Kingdom also play a crucial – although a heretofore obscure – role in the tax-avoidance game, acting as conduits for corporate profits as they make their way to tax havens.
Here's a link to the paper I found.
Thanks for letting me know about it!
My pleasure @valued-customer:))
Yes what a crazy game we must all play!
Thanks so much for the info. It would seem that you have a lot of knowledge on this subject. Have you written on this topic?
great concept, but remember if you are a USA citizen, it is still taxable as income back home. Still, if you set up a corporation there and left funds there, never distributed,etc, you might be able to work some magic. Might be a good one to run my your international accountant and lawyer. Still,it is much like Andorra or Monaco, that have no taxes either. I did not know about this place, so thank you very much, my friend. worth the upvote and resteem
Yes, sadly I know a few people here who have had to renounce their US Citizenship for that very reason. Of course you need dual citizenship to do that.
The FATCA - Foreign account tax compliance act - law has placed a heavy burden on U.S citizens with foreign financial accounts. The costs of complying and hiring the appropriate tax attorney to make sure the forms are properly filled out often costs more than the taxes that may, or may not, be owed. The law carries ridiculously harsh penalties for non-compliance or even for what may be honest errors. This is indeed a major reason why so many US expats are renouncing citizenship. It's become a practical necessity.
Lots of sad stories.
Under the law, if you stay outside the USA for a certain length of time, you do not pay USA tax,can not remember the amount of time right now, but you keep citizenship, just do not get to visit your homeland.
I hope you will find some nook under your staircase for me. I don't mind if is in the basement. Don't worry, I'll be quiet like a mouse. Will pay in advance; with steem of course.
It's a deal!
That place is awesome!! I want to buy or rent somewhere there. Taxes in general are actually bad, forcing you to turn over a portion of your earned money is no different to being robbed in the street for some of your hard earned income, it is always morally wrong to force someone to do anything against their will unless it is to prevent them hurting someone else. Obviously people will say well how do we fund things then? for a start I think the ONLY duty of a government is protection of it's citizens through the law and from outside attackers so a way to fund this would be to charge for contracts that the law/government are there to uphold or protect for you. Charge road users who actually use the rd per mile or whatever not everyone....there could be a miriad of things to find and use without restorting to in effect robbery and extortion
It is a complex problem and there is a lot of corruption!
How do I go about establishing a Steemit enclave here in Utah? Because I'm all about doing that at the first available opportunity.
I reckon Utah has statutes and political infrastructures you'd have to be able to thoroughly understand, and then discover some kind of loophole(s) in.
However, as Utah is a state subject to the federal government, you'd have to do the same regarding federal law and political systems. As Alaska has no income or sales tax, yet residents remain subject to federal taxes, I think it will prove difficult to do.
I'd look at indian reservations, nominally foreign nations, which is why casinos tend to site on them.
Yeah. A few years back Utah's Republican Party voted on a resolution to switch status with Puerto Rico, and become a territory. It passed overwhelmingly. Nothing, of course, ever came of it, and it wouldn't be possible even if they'd been serious. I think we're stuck.
I am no expert but I wish you great success!
Thanks for your interesting post @kus-knee. As we live in Switzerland (officially starting from next month), we will have to pay our taxes in Switzerland. For me, the swiss taxation system seems fair and as we have a direct democracy, we can vote for what we want to spend our tax money and that is something i really like! Campione has choosen another system, which works for a small place like it is. Luckily you can't place such a huge casino in every village, just to make the gamblers pay your taxes..;-)
Wow you'll be living in CH. Yes the casino is a really bizarre situation but remember it's not Switzerland but Italy. I don't gamble and never will so I've never visited the actual casino.
All the best on your move!
Yes, i think this also wouldn't be possible in Switzerland. Actually i just remembered, in the town i grew up, they also intended to build a huge casino, but people were totally against it and the whole project disappeared faster then it came. Thanks a lot and thanks for following us - we gonna do the same!;-)
WoWa!
I am a BIG fan of NOT giving the government money. I truly believe that the free market is way more efficient and responsible.
I purposefully live so the I do not fuel the institutions that I disagree with and have been doing it for 15 years.
One of the great things about crypto is that it is much easier to use and move around without the authorities getting involved. I am a big supporter of cryptos for that reason.
Very cool and thorough post Old Dog! I liked it and was great to see you post again!
Yes, you are living in a unique and purposeful way. The dream of the hippy generation form my era! Way to go @quinneaker!
Grateful for your friendship and support!
I just got about The Enclave through your post. Thanks a lot.
Regard drom Indonesia.
Great to see you!
I don't care what tax is but the city is nice!!
In the future you'll care!
very cool @kus-knee
Thanks so much for this info! Your brother has mentioned this place to me, but I appreciate all the details you have given!!
Thanks for coming!
interessante!
Tu sai già tutto! Probabilmente hai un appartamento lì!
Most Indian Politicians hide the tax money in Swiss.
Many have done so for centuries but things are changing her as well.
meep
beautiful pics and beautiful place....
upvoted and followed...!!!
Thanks!
It looks like a place to move. Interesting the facts you share here. Thank you
Beautiful setting for the casino and equally impressive is the "no tax" arrangement. We need instructions on how to do that! LOL
Yes, knowledge On this subject is valuable.
@kus-knee, you don't need a tax haven to avoid tax. If you live in another continent, you can safely declare in country 1 that you pay your taxes in country 2 and vice versa.
This aside, i love this post as i will return to my home country now after 15 years.
It's always nice to go home! Likely you have friends and family there.
Great article. It seems to validate the tendency of money (and people) to flow to where they are treated well. Of course, that is dependent on the mobility of those things. In an age of "patriotic" ideologies and capital controls, it is becoming more difficult to make those kinds of moves.
Cheers!
The noose tightens!
this is truly a taxhaven place who don't want to miss this one !!
Oke I decided, I will buy me a villa over there when steem reaches 1000$ haha ;)
If it hits $1000 I'll buy it for you!
Awesome post, amazing architcure, the architect must be a great artist, I like this exceptional post, thank you very much
resteemed
Thanks a lot!
welcome :)
interesting. I'd never heard of this town. We need a new country: Steemlandia! (can we make it somewhere warm please?!)
Good one!
Excellent info for the future Steemit Whales and very well made photographs @kus-knee :) Upvoted, resteemed & DPS.
Thanks!
This was an absolutely fascinating read @kus-knee and you're blessed to live in such a place, wow! It is what it is I'm afraid, the more you earn, the more you pay, unless you're living in this fabulous money saving enclave amongst places, but I bet there's a waiting list to get to never, never land? Tax aside, I like the sound of having a population of just 2200, very quiet and crime must be minimal. :-D Thanks for sharing, a bloody good read!
Thanks so much @flatrider!
You're most welcome @kus-knee! :-D
Thx @kus-knee, I learned a lot today again... didn't know that this was possible. Yeahh I hate paying taxes,, but I also pay when the rest also have to do it. That's why certain companies making escapes to pay nothing or much less is not a healthy situation. Then we all need the same chances. The more layers and specialist you have the more you benefit..
You are correct. Often the wealthiest people pay the least taxes.
:-) Here we could bring our hard earned money :-) Thanks for this very useful information !!
Very informative article dear @kus-knee. I think, income tax is so aggressive (taxes on earnings by human labour) and taxes on consumption, luxury and earnings from savings are generous.
If a small city can avoid these taxes, planet Earth is small enough to avoid such taxes too.
Yes, taxes are a tricky and delicate subject.
@kus-knee I admire your courage to stand up against criminals with license to operate an establishment. This is really dangerous. You are more of a true blue journalist and Steemians are proud of you.
Thanks so much for having a look. I'm not too sure how courageous I am. I'm just reporting what's I've seen.
Do not be to humble. It takes courage to write a piece like this. I will never forget about it.
kus-knee the Old Dog reporting...😊
I'm not paying too much in taxes.. but my wife do.. 🤓
Interesting article my dear old friend.. thanks lots.. upvoted for you..
Thanks for your nicely formatted comment!
wow never heard of this place before