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  I had/have the same question. When we received our bill, I went to the commune to ask them about a possible rebate and I was told NO. We only spend a maximum of six weeks per year there and generate very little rubbish. We recycle everything that can be recycled. We even take flat batteries home as we have a battery recycling container in our village. We also queried the sq metres (rate is calculated according to sq metres) which was higher than our apartment. The extra 20 odd sq metres is our share of the communal space apparently. Yep death and taxes…happens to us all!

Whatever you may think, the �������� tax regime is actually quite sophisticated. One can always disagree with the rules but there is always a tendency to pick up and be backdated, though it may take years. Tarsa rifuiti is administered at the state level. Individual comunes have the right to set their own rates but must apply to each and every house regardless of occupancy. Casa Monal is correct. m2 applies to exterior space, not internal. ICI rules may mean that you have to pay twice unless you nominate and have accepted your prima casa. What is going to be interesting is, if the "tourist tax" is going to be rolled out throughout Italy and will be retrospective. Its already here in some comunes in Sardinia, focal attention being on B&B's. .

The coumune where I live does give a discount (about 20%) on rubbish tax to houses which are 'occasionally occupied'. Maybe they've got used to me dragging in holiday home owners, but they actually ask the question at the outset. Quite what period of time is considered 'occasional' I've never gone into with the comune. It is my understanding that this is not a discretionary discount, but enshrined in national legislation. Of course, if you've fudged 'residency' you are considered to be there full time, so you can't be considered for a discount. There is additionally a discount (for residents only, I think)) if you are a single occupant, although this only applies to the first 45sqm I believe.

If it is a second house then there is usually a small discount.  Not on prime case, unless its tiny.  Where I live, as the nearest cassonetta is more than 1km away I get a large discount on the tax as there is no collection.  Other comunes think that if you can afford two homes you can afford the tax - not unreasonable.