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Fashion: design tax credits already exhausted – here’s how to join the queue for funding

In less than 48 hours, the funding limit allocated by Mimit was reached; the ministry is now considering refinancing the scheme

by Lorenzo Pace

9 July 2026

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2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Sixty million euros were used up in two days, with over 400 applications submitted. This is the outcome two days after the opening of the application window for the tax credit aimed at design and aesthetic creation activities – a measure introduced by the Ministry of Enterprise to support creativity within Italian manufacturing companies.

This means, therefore, that the ceiling allocated by the Mimit was reached in less than 48 hours, and the ministry is now considering refinancing the scheme. In this way, Minister Adolfo Urso has indirectly urged companies to remain vigilant (not least because the 60 million is, at present, merely earmarked, and further allocations may therefore follow).

Not just a fashion trend

The majority of applications for this benefit come from companies in the fashion industry – the sector for which the measure is primarily intended – but applications are also being received from other ‘Made in Italy’ sectors that rely on design as a competitive advantage.

“An extraordinary result, which confirms just how well this measure meets the needs of businesses, starting with those in the fashion industry, a strategic sector for ‘Made in Italy’,” commented Urso, adding that the Mimit is “working to secure further resources to expand the pool of beneficiaries”.

The helpdesk remains open

It should be noted that the application window is not closing: booking requests continue to be processed in the order in which they are received, with a view to moving down the list should new places become available.

How the procedure works

The tax credit, introduced by the 2026 Budget Act (Article 1, paragraphs 925 and 926, Law 199/2025) and governed by the ministerial decree signed a few days ago, relates to investments made in the tax year following 31 December 2025. The platform for submitting notifications opened on 7 July at 12 noon on the Mimit website, in the section ‘Tax credit for research and development, technological innovation, design and aesthetic conception’.

Double pass

Access to the scheme involves two steps. First, a prior notification must be submitted for each individual project, including the company’s details, a description of the initiative, the planned start and completion dates, the amount of the investment and the potential tax credit due: once the notification has been submitted, the company receives a receipt indicating the credit reserved in chronological order, or stating that no funds are available.

Once the investments have been completed, a notification of completion must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the tax year, setting out the expenditure incurred, broken down by type. The amount actually spent must not be less than 70 per cent of the amount declared at the preliminary stage, failing which the entitlement will lapse.

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses include: staff directly employed in design activities, with a 150 per cent increase for new recruits under 35 with a degree in design; depreciation charges on tangible assets and dedicated software; contracts with parties outside the group for the direct performance of activities; consultancy fees; and materials and supplies.