Italian Phrase
Serve una prova del reddito.
Meaning
The sentence states that a proof of income is required. It is commonly used in bureaucratic or administrative contexts where the authority needs to verify how much money you earn.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are applying for a loan, renting an apartment, signing up for a scholarship, or any situation where the institution asks you to show documentation of your earnings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Serveunaprovadelreddito.
Impersonal verb "servire"
"Serve" is the third‑person singular of the impersonal verb *servire*, used like English "it is needed/required".
Indefinite article "una"
"una" introduces a non‑specific feminine singular noun (prova).
Partitive contraction "del"
"del" = "di + il"; it links the noun *prova* with the noun *reddito* (of the income).
Noun gender & number
*prova* (feminine singular) and *reddito* (masculine singular) must agree with their articles.
🗨In Conversation
Vorrei aprire un conto corrente, ma mi hanno chiesto dei documenti.
I’d like to open a checking account, but they asked me for documents.
Serve una prova del reddito per verificare la tua capacità di pagamento.
Proof of income is required to verify your ability to pay.
✕Common Mistakes
Serve una prova di reddito.
While understandable, the standard preposition is "del" (di + il) because "reddito" is masculine singular; "di" alone sounds incomplete in formal Italian.
Serve una prova del redditi.
"Redditi" is plural; the phrase refers to a single income source, so the singular "reddito" is correct.
Serve una prova del reddito?
The statement is declarative, not a question. Use a period unless you are actually asking for clarification.
↔Alternatives
È necessaria una prova del reddito.
A proof of income is necessary.
Occorre una certificazione di reddito.
A certification of income is needed.
Bisogna presentare una dichiarazione dei redditi.
You must present a tax return.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, the most common documents accepted as proof of income are the *certificato di reddito* issued by INPS, the latest *CU* (Certificazione Unica) from the tax office, or recent payslips. When you ask for "una prova del reddito", be ready to provide one of these official papers. The phrase is formal; in casual conversation you might hear "Mi serve il tuo cedolino" (I need your payslip).