This is the first weekend in which the Christmas cashback makes its debut and although the start has been uphill, many operators and as many consumers are expressing great expectations towards this measure which, we recall, will also be operational in 2021 and 2022. However, the criticalities of this initiative are many and not all related to the registration difficulties that have occurred in recent days. Says the coordinator of the CGIA Studies Office Paolo Zabeo:
"Over the next 2 years, the resources needed to finance the cashback will amount to € 4,7 billion. A huge expense that all Italians will be called to pay to encourage the use of electronic money, thus contributing to the reduction of black payments made with cash. In practice, however, it will be a measure that will especially favor those who have a high spending capacity. People who, according to statistics, live in the large urban areas of the North, have a professional status and a medium-high level of education. In short, a measure for the benefit of the rich, but paid for with everyone's money. A very unique way of fighting tax evasion ”.
It is true, underline by the CGIA, that from 2021 the return of money to the current account will take place up to the threshold of 10 percent of the expenditure incurred with at least 50 operations carried out within a ceiling of 1.500 euros every six months (therefore 300 euros at most refreshment for each year). But again from next January 1st and without any minimum amount of expenditure, the first 100 participants who will total the highest number of valid transactions in each semester will even receive a super cashback of 1.500 euros. Underlines the secretary of the CGIA, Renato Mason:
"Compared to 2019, due to the negative effects caused by the coronavirus on our economy, this year our treasury will record a reduction in tax revenues equal to 48 billion euros, of which more than 7 as a result of the reduction in receipts due to the activities of fight against tax evasion. Well, in the face of the difficulties facing our public coffers and the collapse of revenues, does it make sense to increase debt by almost 5 billion in 2 years to facilitate those who normally spend the most? Could these resources perhaps not be used to help merchants and in general all self-employed workers who use the POS as a payment system in a more direct and effective way? "
To confirm that the cashback will benefit the wealthiest, the CGIA Studies Office made use of the data made available by Istat for the year 2019. The differences that emerged at the territorial level are very evident: if in the Northwest, the average expenditure it was 2.810 euros per month, in the South it reached 2.067 euros (a gap of 743 euros equal to a variation of 26 per cent). Specifically, if we compare the expenditure of the highest region with the one that spent the least, it appears that in the autonomous province of Bolzano it was 3.517 euros, in Puglia only 1.996 euros.
Even if we analyze the predisposition to purchases by qualification, large differences emerge between subjects with high levels of education compared to others. A head of the family who graduated last year spent an average of 3.587 euros for monthly purchases, a high school graduate 2.835, a person with a middle school certificate of 2.349 and an elementary school only 1.678 euros.
The gap in consumer spending in Italy is equally evident, also based on the professional condition of the reference person. In fact, if the head of the family is an entrepreneur or a freelancer, the average expense is € 3.918, it drops to € 2.354 if he is a pensioner and even to € 2.321 if he is a worker.
Equally significant is the difference in expenditure existing between families based on the size of the municipality of residence. While in large metropolitan centers an average of € 2.909 per month is spent, in the suburbs of large cities and municipalities with more than 50.000 inhabitants it drops to € 2.581 and in small municipalities up to 50.000 inhabitants, finally, the expenditure drops to € 2.443.
In short, the most educated heads of families, with high-level professions residing in large metropolitan areas, mainly in the North, outline the identikit of the families that will be most rewarded by cashback.
"Also - conclude from the CGIA - we also have the impression that even today these people frequently pay with credit or debit cards. Therefore, we will spend a lot, we will reward above all the wealthiest by minimizing payments in black ".
