I always keep the receipt.
ri-che-VU-ta — four syllables; stress the third; 'v' is labio-dental, touching the upper teeth to the lower lip.
Use this as a practical recommendation or habit explanation. In Italy, keeping receipts (ricevute) and fiscal receipts (scontrini) is important both for practical guarantees and, in some cases, for tax deductions (e.g., medical expenses).
Ricevuta is a general receipt for any payment. Scontrino is the till receipt printed at a shop. Fattura is an invoice for professional or business transactions. In Italy, medical expenses (spese sanitarie) supported by receipts can be deducted from the 730 tax return up to a maximum threshold, making it worthwhile to keep health-related receipts.
Conservo le ricevute delle spese mediche per la detrazione.
I keep medical expense receipts for the tax deduction.
Medical deduction (19% on expenses above €129) is one of Italy's most commonly claimed 730 deductions.
Posso avere la ricevuta per favore?
Can I have a receipt please?
Standard request at a shop, restaurant, or professional office.
Lo scontrino è la prova di acquisto.
The till receipt is proof of purchase.
Essential for returns, guarantees, and warranty claims.
Italy introduced the scontrino fiscale (mandatory till receipt) in 1983 to combat tax evasion in retail. Shops must by law issue a receipt, and customers were until recently legally required to show it if asked within 50 metres of the shop. This law, while rarely enforced in practice, reflects Italy's ongoing effort to ensure all commercial transactions are documented and taxed.