In recent years, increasing financial market volatility, inflation and persistent geopolitical tensions have brought real assets back to the forefront of investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families. Real estate, works of art, collectibles and precious metals are now regarded not only as diversification tools, but also as assets capable of preserving value over the long term.
Against this backdrop, investors’ assessments are no longer limited to identifying the right investment opportunity. It is becoming increasingly important to determine the structure through which the asset should be held, the intended investment horizon, and the arrangements for managing and transferring wealth, taking into account the tax implications throughout the asset’s entire life cycle.
Taxation is therefore no longer an aspect to be considered only after an investment has been made. Instead, it has become a strategic factor capable of shaping wealth management decisions from the planning stage. An appropriate tax structure can help optimise asset management, mitigate risks and support effective succession planning.
In an article published by FundsPeople Italia, Alessandro Borsetto examines the role of taxation in the management of real assets, focusing on some of the key tax issues affecting this asset class. The article pays particular attention to real estate, the tax treatment of works of art, collectibles and gold, as well as the main preferential tax regimes available under Italian law to individuals who transfer their tax residence to Italy.
