Ferrari Chair John Elkann Sentenced to Community Service in Tax Case

Fri Oct 17 2025 04:03:41 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

John Elkann, the chair of Ferrari and Stellantis, will serve a year of community service and pay €183 million as part of a settlement in an inheritance tax dispute.

John Elkann, chairman of Ferrari, has agreed to perform one year of community service and jointly pay €183 million to settle a tax dispute concerning his grandmother's estate. Elkann's family faced allegations of failing to declare significant assets and income. The resolution did not require an admission of liability, allowing Elkann to contribute to community efforts, potentially including support for the elderly and addiction recovery.

The chair of Ferrari and Stellantis, John Elkann, has agreed to undertake one year of community service and pay €183 million (£159 million) to resolve a dispute with the Italian tax authorities over inheritance tax.

Elkann, along with his siblings Lapo and Ginerva, will make the payment in connection to the estate of their late grandmother, Marella Caracciolo, who passed away in 2019. Although the settlement involves significant financial obligations, Elkann's legal representation clarified that there is no admission of liability.

The Elkann family has been embroiled in a legal battle concerning approximately €1 billion in undeclared assets. Italian prosecutors had previously alleged that the family failed to report substantial income derived from their inheritance, locating their grandmother as a Swiss resident for tax purposes.

Elkann has the option to propose the nature of his community service, which could involve assistance in facilities for the elderly or for individuals recovering from substance abuse. This approach appears to align with intended rehabilitative outcomes in his case.

Furthermore, the prosecutors have agreed to suspend criminal charges against Elkann, pending successful completion of his community service requirement, echoing similar resolutions for his siblings.

John Elkann is a prominent figure in Italy, being the grandson of Gianni Agnelli, former Fiat boss, and has been at the helm of Ferrari since 2018. His family's legal matters reflect ongoing tensions following Gianni Agnelli's death over two decades ago.

As the family navigates the complexities of inheritance law, the outcome of these proceedings could have profound implications for their financial and familial standing.