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Tax Relief Office (TRO)
(+39) 0444-717080, DSN 634-7080
tro@vicenzamwr.com
Located in Building 243 next to the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL)
M-F: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
HOURS OF OPERATION WILL SOON CHANGE!
CLICK ON GEORGE TO FIND OUT!
UTILITIES:
Personnel residing in private rental housing may take advantage of the Tax Relief Office's (TRO) "Utility Tax Exemption Program" (UTEP) for Methane gas (City Gas), Home Heating Oil and Liquid Propane Gas. The Tax Relief Office requires a $232.00 service fee per year because the the Tax Relief Office is a Non-Appropriated Fund function. Remember, though, that by joining UTEP you could save up to 53% on your city gas heating bills, 54% on Home Heating Oil and 64% on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (GPL). The Directorate of Public Works' Housing Division will work with the customers regarding electricity and water.
The following activation costs, deposits and consumptions are estimates in dollars for non-tax-free utilities. The averages are based on units of all sizes over time.
Estimates for Non-Tax-Free Utilities |
Type |
Deposit |
Activation Cost |
Average per Month |
Cost per Year |
Gas |
$100.00 |
$ 65.00 |
$200.00 |
$2,400.00 |
Water |
$ 50.00 |
$ 25.00 |
$ 30.00 |
$ 360.00 |
Electricity |
$100.00 |
$115.00 |
$100.00 |
$1,200.00 |
Telephone |
$ 20.00 |
$160.00 |
$ 40.00* |
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* $40.00 fixed cost for basic line per two-month billing cycle
ELECTRICITY:
The electric company estimates usage based on the size of a residence and the previous tenant's consumption. The electric company processes five estimated billing cycles per year and will provide an accumulated bill once per year. If your estimated bills are less than $100.00 per billing cycle, it is suggested that you call in your meter reading, so that your usage is brought up to date.
GAS:
The Tax Relief Office has agreements with over 64 companies which bill on average four times per year, estimating every other cycle. Customers should ensure they learn how to use their thermostat and heating system so to reduce high gas bills.
WATER:
Many water companies bill every six months, so most landlords keep the bill in their name and provide the bill to their tenant. Please ensure that you read your rental agreement so that you know how the water will be billed. If the bill remains in the landlord's name ensure that you receive the copy of the bill before making payment.
HOME HEATING OIL (HHO) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (GPL):
The Tax Relief Office requires the same deposit for Home Heating Oil and GPL as for methane gas. Home Heating Oil and GPL can only be used for housing units, which have autonomous heating systems with an individual storage tank or meter system for GPL. The only exception to this policy is if authorized users inhabit an entire complex. Average Home Heating Oil customers consume 3,500 liters per year. The FY06 charge is $0.65 per liter and delivery is within three to five working days of request dependent upon prioritized mission requirements.
TELEPHONE:
The Housing Office performs the duty of Liaison between the American Community and Italian Telecom. Telephone number is 011-39-0444-716327 or DSN 634-6327. At this time telephone deregulation has been initiated by the Italian government; however, fixed monthly fees must be paid directly to TELECOM ITALIA. Once the line is active, the customer may then choose another service provider for the cost of the actual calls. TELECOM ITALIA has a minimum one-year contract and bills on a two-month cycle; their fixed fees are charged in advance of the usage. REMEMBER, THERE ARE NO FREE CALLS. The cost to call within Italy and to the United States of America has reduced tremendously over the past few years; however, the customer must research the best plan; a couple of ways to save are by using calling cards and call-back systems. It is highly suggested that you DO NOT call or RECEIVE CALLS from satellite phones as both the caller and the called are charged during the duration of the conversation.
ADSL is an Internet service that provides 24-hour a day Internet access at a fixed cost and is available in most towns within Italy, however, is not everywhere. If your decision to move into a residence is based on ADSL availability, research before you rent. ADSL averages from Euro 75 to Euro 150 a billing cycle and is based on speed and rental of equipment.
VERY IMPORTANT
Contact the Command Office or Consumer Affairs if you think you might have difficulty in paying your bill on or before the due date. Be sure to read all meters on a regular basis. If you know how much you have used, the Consumer Affairs office or the Tax Relief Office can help you compute the charge.
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