Here is who will be affected by the taxation of the wealthiest people in France

This contribution aims to ensure a minimum levy for the wealthiest taxpayers, in order to limit the effects of the numerous tax loopholes and allowances available. Although the practical details of this surcharge have not yet been defined, the French Budget Ministry hopes to recover between 2 and 3 billion euros per year. High incomes should therefore contribute more. A priority declared by the government of Michel Barnier as part of the recovery of public accounts.

An “exceptional and temporary” measure

Despite the assurances given by the French government on the temporary nature of this contribution, uncertainties persist. The Minister of the Economy Antoine Armand insisted on RTL on Wednesday that this measure would be “exceptional and temporary”without specifying the exact duration. “There is no way it will last several years in a row at the same level for everyone.”

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At the same time, the French government also confirmed that the income tax scale would not be fixed. With inflation estimated at 2.1% in 2024, tax brackets will be adjusted to follow developments, thus ruling out any deindexation that could have weighed on all taxpayers.

A plan that divides

This contribution is part of a global plan to restore public finances, presented a few days ago by the French Prime Minister. This plan plans to reduce the public deficit by 60 billion euros by 2025.

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The government would therefore rely on a contribution from large businesses and the wealthiest households, while protecting the middle and lower classes. However, this approach is not unanimous among the majority. On franceinfo, the former Minister of the Budget and current MP Gérald Darmanin expressed his disagreement. He described the draft budget as“unacceptable” and declared that he would not vote for a tax increase, even if it only affects the richest.

The bill will be presented to Parliament on October 10. The internal tensions within the majority, already visible, therefore suggest hectic negotiations.