Italy 'text tax' sparks outrage

Italians have reacted angrily to government proposals to bring in a tax on mobile phone text messages, reports the BBC.

"With 27 billion text messages sent by Italy's residents last year, even a small surtax could raise a fortune.

But Italians - who own more mobile phones and send more text messages per head of population than any other nation - are unlikely to support it.

The plan was set out in parliament last week as part of the prime minister's attempt to cut taxes and slash government spending.

Opponents of the proposed surtax argue it could be illegal in any case. Italians already pay VAT on each text they send, so adding a surtax on top of that may be against the law.

But there could be one advantage to Italians if the measure was passed and resulted in fewer texts being sent.

Italy's largest private investigation company said last year that in nearly 90% of cases, it is people's mobile phone which reveals or betrays extra-marital activities."

Related articles on SMS tax proposals in Italy, the Philippines and Switerzland.

emily | 9:50 AM | SMS and Politics |
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