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PhrasesRecycling and WasteQuando si paga la TARI?
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Quando si paga la TARI?

When is the waste tax paid?

Pronunciation

TAH-ree — acronym, pronounced as a word; stress the first syllable.

When to use it

Use this when enquiring about the annual municipal waste tax. The TARI is sent by the municipality and must be paid by residents and businesses. It is often a surprise expense for people new to Italy.

What it means

TARI (Tassa sui Rifiuti) replaced the earlier TARSU and TARES systems in 2014. It is a fee for waste collection and disposal services, charged annually. The amount depends on the size of your property and the number of occupants. It is paid to the municipality, usually in two or three instalments.

Variations

Ho ricevuto la bolletta della TARI.

I've received the waste tax bill.

Bolletta normally refers to utility bills; TARI bills are informally called bollette too.

La TARI si calcola in base alla metratura dell'appartamento.

The TARI is calculated based on the apartment's square footage.

Explains the calculation basis; metratura means square metres.

Devo fare la dichiarazione TARI per la nuova casa.

I need to file the TARI declaration for the new flat.

Required when moving in; you declare the property and number of occupants.

Mini Dialogue

— Mi è arrivata questa busta dal comune. Cos'è? — È l'avviso di pagamento della TARI, la tassa sui rifiuti. — Quanto devo pagare? — Dipende dai metri quadri dell'appartamento e dal numero di persone. Di solito si paga in due rate.

— I've received this envelope from the municipality. What is it? — It's the TARI payment notice, the waste tax. — How much do I pay? — It depends on the apartment's square metres and the number of people. Usually it's paid in two instalments.

Cultural Note

TARI rates vary enormously across Italy — Romans pay more than twice what residents of efficient northern municipalities pay. The gap reflects differences in waste management efficiency, local corruption in waste contracts, and geography. The waste tax is a frequent source of political debate in Italian local elections.