Tourist visa about to expire in Italy

So......I am suppose to be living in Italy for the year, my husband is on sabbatical and working here. He is all set, has aworking visa. permesso di soggiorno (hopefully, he is suppose to pick it up next week but had an appointment and few weeks ago and was told to come back.)My tourist visa expires in about 20 days. I went to the questaru with all my papers including translated marriae certificate, copy of my husbands reciept for his permesso and was told to come bak when he has the actual permesso, again hopefully next week.

So many questions...
1. Do all I need to stay the year is a pemesso? Do I need a Schengen visa---I am not working, nor plan to.
2. If start the process and get a receipt will I be legal?
3. Will I be able to fly to the US and come back in January through Switzerland?
4. What documents do I need to include in my application for a permesso?

A Schengen visa is for a maximum of 90 days per a reference time frame of 6 months. Its purpose is therefore for short term visits in the Schengen zone. To stay longer you will need a longer term residence permit which I suppose the permesso is. This permesso should also act like a Schengen visa that is you can use it for short-term visits in other Schengen countries. If you have that by January you will be able to use it to transit through CH.

I am not familiar with the Italian immigration system and therefore can't comment on the other questions.