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🇺🇸 United States vs 🇮🇹 Italy
US earners keep ~$21,000 more than Italy at $150k (standard rate)
2026 tax data · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Source: methodology
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- →At $150,000 salary: US (avg state) take-home ≈ $111,000 vs. Italy (standard) ≈ $90,000.
- →Italy's income tax starts at 23% — there's no zero-rate band for any income level.
- →INPS social security: ~9.19% employee contribution on earnings up to €122,295.
- →Regional and municipal taxes add 1.2%–3.3% on top of the national rate.
- →The Impatriati regime (50% income exclusion, 5–10 years) can flip this comparison in Italy's favour for qualifying expats.
Net Pay at $150,000 Salary (2026)
🇺🇸
United States
$111,000
estimated net take-home
Top rate: 37%
🇮🇹
Italy
$90,000
estimated net take-home
Top rate: 43%
Annual delta at $150,000
🇺🇸 United States saves $21,000/year
Over 10 years at 7% compounding: $310,380 more
Key Tax Differences
| Factor | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇮🇹 Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Top income tax rate | 37% | 43% |
| Effective rate at $100k | 18% | 36% |
| Taxation basis | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Special regimes | Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) | Impatriati (New Residents) Regime, HNWI Flat Tax (€200k/year) |
🇺🇸 United States — Key Tax Facts
- →US citizens and Green Card holders owe US tax on worldwide income regardless of where they live.
- →Federal income tax: 10%–37% progressive brackets; standard deduction $16,150 for single filers (2026).
- →FICA (Social Security + Medicare): 7.65% employee share on wages up to $184,500 (SS cap).
- →State income tax: ranges from 0% (Florida, Texas, Nevada) to 13.3% (California).
- →Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: up to $132,900 excluded for qualifying expats (2026).
- →Self-employed pay 15.3% self-employment tax (both sides of FICA).
🇮🇹 Italy — Key Tax Facts
- →Standard income tax: 23%–43% progressive.
- →Impatriati regime: 50% income exclusion on Italian-source income for 5–10 years.
- →HNWI flat tax: €200,000/year covers all foreign-source income — ideal for very high earners.
- →Regional and municipal taxes add approximately 1.2%–3.3% on top of national income tax.
- →Employee INPS: ~9.19% on salary up to €122,295; employer INPS: ~29.72%.
- →Tax residency established after 183 days or having registered domicile in Italy.
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Estimates assume a single filer with no dependents and no treaty benefits. Not tax advice. See methodology.