A former job seeker, resident of Cerqueux, near Angers, appeared on October 10 before the Rennes Court of Appeal. This man, accused of check forgery, concealed work and non-registration in the commercial register, carried out an undeclared activity of selling firewood for five years. This activity allowed him to generate a turnover of one million euros while continuing to receive social assistance.
Informal sale of firewood, a lucrative activity
Faced with a growing demand for firewood, particularly in a context of rising energy costs, this man saw his business grow rapidly. Initially set up to supplement income, the sale of firewood has evolved to generate average revenues of 200,000 euros per year. Firewood, valued for its low cost and availability in rural areas, allowed this informal entrepreneur to capitalize on a booming market.
However, this activity was never declared to the tax authorities or registered in the commercial register. Additionally, the man continued to receive unemployment benefits and other social assistance, constituting fraud. The transactions, often conducted in cash, made it difficult for authorities to track this activity, but suspicion ultimately led to a thorough investigation.
Legal consequences
On October 10, the man appeared before the Rennes Court of Appeal to answer charges of concealed employment, tax fraud and check forgery. The sanctions incurred include substantial fines, reimbursement of aid unduly received, and tax regularization of undeclared amounts. Additionally, check forgery could add to the charges against him, leading to harsher penalties.
This case highlights the intensification of controls by the tax administration and social agencies to combat undeclared activities, particularly in sectors such as firewood, where cash transactions are common. These practices, although profitable in the short term, expose informal entrepreneurs to considerable financial and legal risks. This example illustrates the challenges of the informal economy and the efforts of the authorities to guarantee compliance with tax and social obligations, while preserving fairness between economic actors.
