Municipal Property Tax
Plain English
The annual municipal property tax in Italy. You pay it on second homes, on rental properties, and on certain other buildings. Your main home (prima casa) is usually exempt, except for luxury properties.
Why it matters
If you own a flat you don\'t live in, expect to pay IMU twice a year (June and December). The amount depends on the rendita catastale of the property and the rate your comune sets.
Real example
"Antonio kept his old flat in Bari as a rental when he moved to Rome. Every June he pays the first IMU installment online through the F24 form, and a balance payment follows in December."
Common confusion
Your prima casa exemption only applies if you actually have your residenza in that home. Renting it out, or being registered elsewhere, knocks the exemption off.
Official source
Ministero delle Finanze