Tax credit for 4.0-related training

The tax credit available for 4.0-related training is intended to  support staff training for the consolidation of skills or the acquisition of new skills in technologies relating to the technological and digital transformation of businesses.
This tax relief is available to all businesses, regardless of their legal  status, the industry in which they operate, and the accounting scheme they apply. The mechanism is also available to businesses that have not taken advantage of the incentives for investments in 4.0-eligible operating assets.
While available to all businesses with the exception of those in distress, the 2020 Italian Budget Law stipulates that use of the tax credit is subject to the condition that the business has not received any disqualification penalties, complies with occupational safety regulations,  and is up to date with social security and welfare payments for its workers.

The tax credit for  4.0-related training costs is available for training concerning the following topics: 

  • Big data and data analysis
  • Cloud and fog computing
  • Cyber security
  • Cyber-physical systems  and simulation
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Viewing  systems, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR)
  • Advanced and collaborative robotics
  • Human-machine interfaces
  • Additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing)
  • Internet of things and machines
  • Digital integration of business processes


Eligible expenses include:

  • cost to the company of employees involved in training in terms of the actual work hours or days spent in training activities, as a learner or teacher. This cost consists of the salary, gross of withholdings and social security and welfare contributions, including accrued severance pay, extra month bonuses, holiday, and other kinds of leave accrued during the time spent on training, and any travel allowance;
  • consulting costs relating to the training project;
  • if the training is provided by parties outside the company, the cost thereof is eligible only if assigned to qualified professionals;
  • operating costs for trainers and training participants relating directly to the training project (travel costs and materials for the project).

The amount of aid varies depending on the size of the business:

  • Small businesses: 50% of eligible expenses, with a cap of €300,000; 
  • Medium-sized businesses: 40% of eligible expenses, with a cap of €250,000; 
  • Large business: 30% of eligible expenses, with a cap of €250,000; 

The tax credit rate rises to 60%  for all businesses in the event that the training participants fall within the category of 'disadvantaged employees', as defined by the decree issued by the Italian Minister of Labour and Social Policies dated 17 October 2017.

CONSULTING AND ASSISTANCE SERVICE 

What we do for you 

Warrant Hub supports and assists businesses when setting up, managing, and reporting on their project.
When setting up a project, Warrant Hub helps companies to:

  • prepare the feasibility analysis based on the activities either carried out and/or to be carried out and the sizing of the training investment;
  • formalise the training plan, identifying areas, contents, and methods of internal training consistent with the tax relief measure;
  • establish what online training or e-learning channel requirements need to be met for costs to be eligible, focussing on the verification actions required.

During the project management stage, meanwhile, we work alongside companies to:

  • design an internal training model for the transmission of training, whether it comes from an external or an internal source;
  • validate the attendance registration system;
  • monitor the progress of training activities (hours spent in training, to calculate hourly costs per employee) and the necessary documentation, namely:

    - final detailed report;

    - training activity attendance registers;

    - certification issued to workers to demonstrate skills consolidated/acquired. 

Finally, during the project reporting stage, Warrant Hub prepares the reporting pack, which includes:

  • documentation demonstrating the training provided, including the attendance registers, the summary of the total hours carried out, and the accounting documentation relating to the hourly costs of the employees involved in training;
  • the final report illustrating the organisational methods and contents of the training activities carried out;
  • the system for issuing certificates stating the knowledge and skills acquired and/or consolidated to employees who have completed the training.