Italy Imposes Tougher Penalties for Tax Evasion

Tax evaders in Italy face up to eight years in prison under a set of measures the government put into effect over the weekend.

Under the new government decree, offenders convicted of falsifying invoices to avoid paying more than 100,000 euros ($111,000) in tax face four to eight years in prison. Other crimes, such as making false declarations, carry a sentence of two to five years, according to the document published in the Official Gazette.

• The decree took effect Oct. 27, but Parliament must approve it within 60 days for it to remain law. Lawmakers can also ...