CAF in Italy and patronati: free help with paperwork by city
CAF (Centri di Assistenza Fiscale) are tax-assistance centres, while a patronato is a union welfare office. Through a patronato the ISEE and DSU, a simple 730 declaration, the assegno unico application, INPS pension pratiche and often the permesso kit are handled for free - the services are free because the state funds the patronato. A CAF covers the fiscal side (ISEE, 730, family benefits). The two desks often sit in one office. Below are CAF and patronati by city and a comparison with a commercialista. The institutional split is stable; what is free, what costs and the timelines are community-reported - verify current data.
Updated: - permesso.love editorial team
Where to start
If you need to do an ISEE, file a 730 or an assegno unico application, or fill in the permesso kit - start with your local patronato or CAF: the basic pratiche there are free. A detailed breakdown of how a patronato differs from a CAF and a commercialista is in a dedicated guide. The nearest office is easy to find on maps by searching CAF or patronato.
Patronato and CAF: who helps with whatCAF and patronati by city
| City | Region | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Milano | Lombardia | Details |
| Roma | Lazio | Details |
| Torino | Piemonte | Details |
| Genova | Liguria | Details |
| Bologna | Emilia-Romagna | Details |
| Firenze | Toscana | Details |
| Napoli | Campania | Details |
| Padova | Veneto | Details |
| Verona | Veneto | Details |
| Bari | Puglia | Details |
The networks (ACLI, CGIL/INCA, CISL/INAS, UIL/ITAL, independent CAF nazionali) are present in every city of the catalog and are listed as institutions, not as an endorsement. The networks by city are on each city page. Confirm the exact address, hours and whether the office takes your case on site.
CAF/patronato or commercialista: which to choose
| Task | CAF / patronato | Commercialista | Who fits which |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISEE / DSU, a simple 730, assegno unico | per the community usually free (the patronato is state-funded) | will do it, but for a fee and usually pricier | for almost all employees and pensioners - go to a CAF/patronato |
| The permesso kit, family reunification | a patronato helps fill it in and hands over a ready envelope, often free for basic cases | usually does not handle this - it is patronato work, not an accountant's | for filing the kit and family pratiche - a patronato |
| Partita IVA, the forfettario regime, a business | they give basic guidance but usually do not run a business account | this is their core work: opening the partita, filing, INPS contributions, IVA | for a real business or a partita IVA - go to a commercialista |
| IMU, Modello Redditi PF, complex assets | some CAF do it for a fee; not all take on the complex cases | this is their core work: tax calculations and complex declarations | for property, rentals or a complex structure - go to a commercialista |
| Income from abroad (from Russia, say) | per the community not every office takes it, often for a fee and pricier than usual | more often takes on foreign income and tax credits under the double-tax treaty | for foreign income - confirm in advance or go to a commercialista |
In short: for the basic pratiche (ISEE, a simple 730, assegno unico, pension, the kit) a CAF or patronato is enough - simpler and cheaper, often free. People go to a commercialista for a real business, a partita IVA, complex assets or foreign income. Prices are broad community estimates; the exact cost is set by the specific office.
Usually free
The ISEE and DSU, a simple 730 for employees and pensioners, the assegno unico and bonus asilo nido applications, INPS pension pratiche, help with the permesso kit and family reunification - through a patronato.
Usually paid
The IMU tax calculation, a Modello Redditi PF, foreign-income handling, lease registration, partita IVA matters. Per the community - from a few to a few dozen euro; some associations ask for a membership card or a donation.
Not legal or tax advice. What is free, what costs and which pratiche an office takes on all change; verify with the specific CAF or patronato, the questura and an official site.