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F1 drivers face tax clampdown by Italian authorities
A renewed push by Italian authorities to enforce tax rules on visiting athletes has placed Formula 1 drivers in an uncertain position over income earned during races in the country.
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The move follows a broader push by the Italian tax authority to strengthen enforcement of existing rules, which require non-resident sportspeople to pay tax on earnings generated while competing in Italy. Reports from Bologna newspaper Il Resto del Carlino suggest that the Bologna branch of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Financial Police) has opened a review into whether F1 teams and drivers, both past and present, have correctly declared and paid taxes linked to recent Italian Grands Prix.
At the centre of the issue is a long-standing inconsistency in how these regulations have been applied. While the legal framework is clear, enforcement has varied over time, leaving grey areas that are now being reassessed. That uncertainty prompted Italian lawyer Alessandro Mei to call for a formal investigation into the tax compliance of foreign athletes, with Formula 1 emerging as a key focus due to the scale of its operations and earnings.
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According to reports, the investigation covers both current and former drivers, even in situations where tax payments were not previously requested by the authorities. Drivers are said to have been contacted and asked to submit their 2025 tax returns, as well as to engage with Italian officials either directly or through representatives to clarify their position.
Authorities are also understood to be examining earlier seasons, requesting detailed information on contracts and sponsorship agreements to establish whether income linked to racing in Italy was properly declared.
The potential consequences are significant. Under Italian law, unpaid tax exceeding €50,000 can amount to a criminal offence, carrying the risk of prosecution alongside substantial financial penalties.
The review spans all recent Italian Grand Prix venues, including Monza, Imola and Mugello, following a mandate from the Court of Auditors. This widens the scope of the investigation and reinforces its formal status.
