Eight per thousand (Italian: otto per mille) is an Italian law under which Italian taxpayers devolve a compulsory 8 ‰ = 0.8% (eight per thousand) from their annual income tax return to an organised religion recognised by Italy or, alternatively, to a social assistance scheme run by the Italian State. A similar scheme has been introduced in 2006 to fund with five per thousand entities that carry out socially relevant activities (for example, non-profit, scientific research).