As featured today in Economy Magazine – April 15, 2025
[EN]
In today’s edition of Economy, NSBproject takes center stage in a comprehensive piece exploring the evolution and current state of Italy’s R&D tax credit system.
Titled “Innovation, only if certified”, the article delves into how a well-intentioned policy initiative in 2015, designed to spur investment in research and development, became entangled in red tape and controversy, and how recent reforms are beginning to chart a clearer path forward.
When the Italian government introduced the R&D tax credit scheme nearly a decade ago, the goal was clear: to boost innovation and align Italy’s private sector investment in R&D (then at just 0.9% of GDP) with the EU average of 2.3%. However, the implementation proved rocky.
As NSBproject co-founder Andrea Jester explains, “The original sin of the system was confusing generic investment in new technologies with true research and development.
Over the years, the tax credit rules were modified almost annually, and the original incentive of 50% was gradually slashed to just 10%. Meanwhile, the Italian Revenue Agency struggled to assess the eligibility of a growing number of complex applications, leading to uncertainty, delayed claims, and legal disputes.
The real turning point came with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) establishing an official Register of Certifiers, professionals with proven experience in R&D projects, empowering them to validate the eligibility of corporate initiatives. Once certified, these projects are exempt from further scrutiny by the Revenue Agency, streamlining the process and providing companies with newfound confidence and clarity.
NSBproject has played a key role in this transition. As a consultancy specializing in tech transfer and R&D support, NSBproject offers businesses not just compliance but strategic insight.
Certification is not a badge of prestige,” notes Fabrizio Riccomi, CEO and co-founder of NSBproject. “It’s a safeguard to avoid disputes and ensure that tax benefits go to companies truly investing in innovation.
The certification criteria—based on OECD standards—demand a project meet five core principles: innovation, risk, replicability, systematic methodology, and creativity. Yet, as Riccomi highlights, the qualitative nature of these metrics can blur the lines. “You can’t treat a multinational innovator and a corner café as equivalent,” he says. “Our job is to ensure the incentives are directed where they truly belong.”
With over 2,600 certifications issued so far, the new system is beginning to gain traction. But NSBproject warns that more must be done to bring Italy in line with more competitive European models. In France, Spain, Germany, and the UK, R&D tax incentives average around 25%—a far cry from Italy’s current rate.
Still, the establishment of the Certifier Register is a foundational step toward restoring trust and purpose in a system that once promised much more. For Italy to fully capitalize on its creative and entrepreneurial potential, this new phase—led by qualified certifiers and supported by companies like NSBproject—must mark not the end, but the beginning of a smarter innovation strategy.
[IT]
Certificazione R&S: Una Svolta per la Politica dell’Innovazione Italiana, Economy Magazine – 15 aprile 2025
Nell’edizione odierna di Economy, NSBproject è protagonista di un approfondimento dedicato alla riforma degli incentivi fiscali per la ricerca e sviluppo in Italia, e al ruolo cruciale della certificazione per garantire l’efficacia della misura.
Introdotto nel 2015, il credito d’imposta per R&S aveva l’obiettivo di stimolare l’innovazione e colmare il divario con gli altri Paesi europei. Tuttavia, modifiche normative frequenti e criteri di ammissibilità poco chiari hanno generato confusione, contenziosi e rallentamenti.
Il peccato originale è stato confondere l’investimento tecnologico con la vera R&S, Andrea Jester, Co-fondatore di NSBproject
Per risolvere queste criticità, il Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy (MIMIT) ha istituito l’Albo dei Certificatori. I professionisti abilitati—tra cui NSBproject—possono validare ufficialmente i progetti R&S, esonerandoli dai controlli dell’Agenzia delle Entrate.
La certificazione non è un bollino di qualità, ma uno strumento per evitare contenziosi e tutelare i veri innovatori, Fabrizio Riccomi, CEO e Co-fondatore di NSBproject
I criteri di certificazione si basano sugli standard OCSE e includono innovazione, rischio, replicabilità, metodo sistematico e creatività. Tuttavia, la natura qualitativa delle regole spesso mette sullo stesso piano realtà aziendali molto diverse. Per questo NSBproject ha un ruolo chiave nel garantire che i benefici fiscali vadano a chi investe davvero in ricerca e sviluppo.
Con oltre 2.600 certificazioni già rilasciate, la riforma va nella giusta direzione. Ma NSBproject sottolinea come l’Italia debba ancora recuperare terreno rispetto ad altri Paesi UE, dove l’intensità dell’incentivo arriva anche al 25%. Chiudere questo divario è essenziale per costruire un sistema competitivo, innovativo e sostenibile.
🔗 Leggi l’articolo completo sul numero odierno di Economy: https://edicola.economymagazine.it/economy/pageflip/swipe/economy/20250401economy#/74/
