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PhrasesAt the BookshopPosso avere lo scontrino?
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Posso avere lo scontrino?

Can I have the receipt?

Pronunciation

'Scontrino' — scon-TRI-no. Three syllables.

When to use it

Ask at the till after paying for books. The receipt is especially important if the books are for a child at school (tax deductible in Italy) or for business/educational expenses.

What it means

'Lo scontrino' = the receipt. Books in Italy are subject to a reduced VAT rate of 4% (super-reduced rate for 'beni di largo consumo di prima necessità' — cultural goods). School textbooks ('libri di testo scolastici') are VAT exempt. The scontrino shows the VAT rate.

Variations

I libri per la scuola sono detraibili?

Are school books tax deductible?

Asks about deductibility.

L'IVA sui libri è ridotta?

Is VAT on books reduced?

Asks about the reduced VAT rate.

Può mettermi lo scontrino nella busta?

Can you put the receipt in the bag?

Asks for receipt to be placed in the bag.

Mini Dialogue

Cliente: Posso avere lo scontrino? Cassiera: Eccolo — vede che l'IVA è al quattro percento? Cliente: Sì. I libri scolastici sono esenti del tutto? Cassiera: Sì, i testi adottati dalle scuole sono IVA zero.

Customer: Can I have the receipt? Cashier: Here it is — do you see that VAT is at four percent? Customer: Yes. Are school textbooks completely exempt? Cashier: Yes, texts adopted by schools have zero VAT.

Cultural Note

Italy applies a 4% super-reduced VAT rate to books — one of the lowest in Europe — reflecting the constitutional principle (Article 9) that the Italian Republic 'protects the landscape and the historical and artistic heritage of the Nation' and promotes culture. School textbooks carry 0% VAT.