John Elkann, Chairman of Ferrari and Stellantis, along with his siblings Lapo and Ginevra, have reached a settlement with Italy’s Revenue Agency over a €175 million inheritance tax dispute. The case originated from the 2019 death of their grandmother, Marella Caracciolo, widow of the late Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli. Italian authorities alleged that the siblings failed to pay taxes on inherited assets. The Elkanns agreed to a “comprehensive settlement” without admitting any wrongdoing, aiming to resolve the matter swiftly.
The dispute was part of a broader inheritance conflict within the Agnelli family, particularly concerning the estate of Gianni Agnelli. This internal strife has highlighted tensions within one of Italy’s most prominent business dynasties.
In September 2024, the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered the seizure of nearly €75 million in assets from five individuals, including the Elkann siblings, as part of the investigation into alleged tax fraud. Prosecutors claimed that Caracciolo was a resident in Italy from at least 2010, and her inheritance should have been taxed in Italy. The Elkanns’ legal team contested these allegations, asserting that Marella Caracciolo had been a resident in Switzerland since the early 1970s, well before the Elkann brothers were born.
The settlement of this tax dispute has raised concerns about the governance of Exor NV, the family’s holding company that controls significant stakes in Stellantis and Ferrari. The unresolved familial tensions and legal vulnerabilities could potentially undermine the stability of these automotive giants. Investors are advised to monitor the situation closely, as ongoing legal battles may impact corporate strategy and shareholder value.
Despite the settlement, the broader inheritance dispute within the Agnelli family continues to unfold, with potential implications for the future of Exor NV and its holdings in Stellantis and Ferrari. The situation underscores the complexities of managing family-owned conglomerates and the challenges they face in maintaining governance stability amid internal conflicts.
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