[Chip Stites]

Dear Tari, One of the things I would consider doing is a Golf Cart Tour of Rome. Sounds kind of funny but it is easy to do, the quides are wonderful. There are number of different trips and you don’t have to put in alot of effort. The other, rather unique idea would be to take a rour of the lower levels of the coluseum. You can see the elevators that brought gladiators, animals etc. up to the arena, that was just opened a year or so ago. The other thing that was recently opened, is the private entrance for Emporer Caligula and you might like that. Both of those depend of the time of the tour and when you arrive! I do have a friend who can book those, so think about it and let me know at info@thelaughingretirement.com if you are interested. I don’t know how much advance notice he needs and both of the coleseum tours are new and very popular.

As to a unique place to stay I don’t have any suggestion except that looking for a B&B in the Trastevere secion of Rome would be a good bet. This is within walking distance of the Vatican and close to Trevi Fountain. Good luck, have fun and let me know if I can help you! Chip Stites, IL Correspondent, Italy.

[Chip Stites]

Dear Gina, thanks for a great question! You are asking a very technical question of law that requires a professional. So here is a gentleman for helped my friend get his citizenship. His name is Marco Maria Bruno. His address is Via Mura Spirtio Santo 74-76121 Barletta. His email is “brunomarcomaria@gmail.com. Tell him that one of his clients ( Chris Russo ) gave his name to the IL Italy Correspondent, Chip Stites and that is where you go his name.
I know that the rules regarding who you may claim for citizenship by “sangue” have changed in the last yeare or so and Mr Bruno is most likely your best bet. I wish you well in your search. If I can be of further assistance as to other options for moving to Italy please email me at info@thelaughingretirement.com and I will be happy to help. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

[Chip Stites]

I just sent you the US/ITALY tax advisor I use. Christian Gulizzi. christian.gulizzi@gulizzi-consulting.com. I hope this helps. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

[Chip Stites]

Sally, first, unless you are a government employee or the employee of a state or municipality your SS is taxed! Pensions are taxed as well and distributions from a 401k, IRA, or TSP are taxed. Distributions from Roths are not recognised by the Italian governement as tax free, so are taxed as well. I am not a tax expert but I do know someone who is! His name is Christian Gulizzi and his address is christian.gulizzi@gulizzi-consulting.com. He is a US CPA, an Italian Commericalista and a German tax expert as well. I don’t know what they call them in Germany. He speaks excellent English and Italian. He does my taxes. Please send him and email and use my name “Chip Stites” and tell him you came to me through IL and then to him. He can answer your questions and I wouild suggest you have a US/Italy tax comparison done. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

[Chip Stites]

You have a lot of choices! I would suggest you come over for about 30 days and travel to the areas where you family lives. They will know people who will rent you a place, or know what agency or agencies to go to look for a good rental. I would also suggest that you work on your Italian, look to renting a car and you should not have any problem finding a place to stay!

[Chip Stites]

Take a look at Southern Italy, the coast of Puglia, and Basilicata, and Southern Sicily!
Look at Bari, look at Messina, or Taormina or Argento Sicily. There are so many places to look in Southern Italy ands Sicily that the list is almost endless. Come over here and travel along thee coast. You will find something.

[Chip Stites]

CJ, I think that you could survive on 1900 euro a month, in southern Italy, but the VISA requirements are about 3200 for the first person to get a VISA.

[Chip Stites]

Jay, I know a good travel agent but I don’t know anything about the helicopter trip from Capri to Sorrento. Most of the time that is a boat ride and I know there are many private boats availlable. the email of the travel agent is chris@alternativetravelservices.com. I hope this has helped. Chip Stites, IL Correspondent, Italy.

[Chip Stites]

Jean, I have seen one person do this here! But he came to Italy with all his paperwork completed and turned it in in the town he moved to. It took about two years from that time to get his citizenship as to Maria Grazia Colombo, her expertise is RE transactions and help with VIsas. I don’t think she is a Citizenship expert. As to Citizenship I will check on the person I know and get back to you. ASAP. Chip Stites, IL Correspondent, Italy

[Chip Stites]

Here is another person you might try working with: her name is Grazia Colombo her email is mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it. She is a RE attorney and a Visa Specialist who has successfully helped others in the past. Chip Stites, IL Correspondent, Italy

[Chip Stites]

Hi, Sally and thanks for your question.
1. social security is taxed unless you worked directly for the US govt, or a State.
2. Pensions are taxed.
3. distributions from IRAs, 401ks, and TSPs are taxed as are withdrawals from Roth IRAs as Roths are not recognized as tax free by Italian tax law. But, I am not a tax espert and I suggest you consult a “Commercialistda” the equivalent of a CPA. I know a person who is a Commercialista and a CPA in italy who also speaks excellent English, His name is Christian Gulizzi. His email is christian.gulizzi@gulizzi-consulting.com. He is very busy and hard to get to. He does offer a US/Italian tax comparison and I would approach him this way.
4. SEnd him an email and tell him what you need.
5. Ask him if he does this?
6. Ask him what he charges for this and tell him that Chip Stites send you to him!
7. Tell hime you are willing to pay and as what the necessary down payment would be.
8. I would also ask him if he can do both your US and italian taxes – he does!
9. The other thing I would mention is that yoou would like a US/italian tax comparison.
10. That should help. Be patient.

Finally, send me a requaest for the 7% flat tax provinces and towns. Send the reqest to info@thelaughingretirement.com and I will send you the list. That will lower your taxes a lot. Chip Stites, IL Italy Correspondent.

[Chip Stites]

Hi LLoyd, Here is what I think may help A starting place if you will. I have an attorney, M.Grazia Colombo, her email is mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it. she is very busy but I have had success for others using this method as she has had experiences with people who want something for nothing. I would do the following:
1. email her telling her what you need and asking for her help.
2. ask her if she does this kind of work
3. Ask her what she charges, and tell her that you are willing to send a down payment immediately, if she can start work and then ask her where to sent the money.

RE the VISA I have been through the process alone, without an attorney and can help you with the process if you are intersted. Please email me at info@thelaugingretirement.com and reference this email.
Best of luck on your inntended more. Italy is a wonderfull place to live.
Chip Stites, IL italian correspondent.

[Chip Stites]

Hello, I would ahve you speak with M. Grazia Colombo, here is her email address. mgrazia.colombo@leexe.it.

She is a licensed attorney and can help in the areas of Real Estate and Citizenshiip and VISAS.

I speak with her regularly. she speakes excelllent English. Let me know your experience.

Good luck, Chip Stites

Italian Correspondent

International living Magazine.

[Chip Stites]

DEbbie, that depends on the state you move to: I.E. some are 6 months and some are 1 year. Then there is the issure of the Consulate wait time for an appt. I have heard that Detroit’s time is relatively low… but you might look at other Consulates as well. Avoid, LA, SF, Seattle, Philly, Boston, and NY. Those I have heard have very long waits. I would look at Tenn, and KY and check thier consulate which I think is Detroit. I have freinds who moved to get into that Consulate. Chip Stites, Italy Correnspondent, International Living Magazine.

[Chip Stites]

HI Antoinette, “Toni”. I hope I can help you make some sound decisions No, it is not too early to start researching. As a matter of fact I belieive the best research to be boots on the ground, traveling in the towns an areas you think yoou want to live in. Puglia is an excellent choice. Go there everytime you get a chance. Go for vacations! Go in the heat of summer, full of tourists and in the calm cool days of winter. First find a village (less than 20,000 people for the 7% tax offering) or an area that suits your needs. Now start exploring the services, what about doctors, or transportation, etc. When you have found the town you want to live in look for a home that will suit your needs. When you are about two years out, start looking for the VISA requirements that suit you best. I would also suggest a RE attorney as RE here in Italy is very different than in the US. Here is the address of a RE attorney who can help. REMEMBER: RE is not the same here. Agents represent themselves and their companies not you and not the seller or the renter. (mgrazia.colombo@leexe.itI is the email of a RE attorney who speaks good english and can help) I would also suggest you watch some of our Italy videos in YOUTUBE: thelaughing retirement.com. I will be happy to help you! email: info@thelaughingretirement.com. Chip Stites, Italy Correspondent, International Living Magazine.

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