Catholic Church in Italy grapples with loss of tax funds

Since the 1980s, the main source of revenue for Italy’s Catholic Church has been what’s called the “8×1000,” or the “eight per thousand,” meaning a share of everyone’s personal income tax the state distributes between itself and a charitable entity of the taxpayer’s choosing. Under the 8×1000, taxpayers may choose one of several approved charitable entities, both religious and secular, to which funds will be allocated, although they are not required to do so. Given that roughly 75 percent of Italians are Catholic, of those who do make a choice, roughly 70 percent choose the Catholic Church as the recipient of their funds, which are managed by the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).

Catholic Church in Italy grapples with loss of tax funds