Anger of farmers: tax boosts decided following crop losses linked to climatic hazards

This is the decision which prompted the farmers of the Gers Rural Coordination to break camp at the Saint-Cricq roundabout this Thursday, November 21. Property tax relief for undeveloped properties (TFNB) has been announced for crop losses following the year's climatic hazards. Indeed, in the case of loss of standing crops as a result of hail, frost, flood, fire or other extraordinary events, relief from the TFPNB relating to the affected plots may be granted. This relief, which is proportional to the extent of the losses suffered, is granted for the year of the loss.

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“Meteorologically, the Gers department was marked by events which had a strong impact on its agriculture,” recalls the Departmental Directorate of Public Finances in a press release. An excess of rainfall, temperatures close to freezing in April 2024 which occur as the vines begin their vegetative cycle, violent storms throughout the countryside, sometimes accompanied by hail… “In the end, the almost continuous rainy sequences after a very short period days without rain, during which tillage was very compromised, had a significant impact on the yields of the different crops.

Rates

The relief rates decided depend on the crops and municipalities. For the viticultureoverall losses are 80% this year and 100% in areas impacted by storms, hail and municipalities recognized as natural disasters.

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For the arable land (field crops)it is considered that arable land is 30% over the entire department; 50% for the North-West zone, impacted by excessive spring rainfall, as well as for areas impacted by storms and hail; 70% on municipalities recognized as natural disasters.

For the prairiesthe impact is 30% on the productivity and valorization of meadows linked to the very numerous epizootic outbreaks in the department. Finally, for arboriculturethe overall losses are 50% for the entire department and 70% for areas impacted by storms and hail and for municipalities recognized as natural disasters.

Procedure to follow

Notices of relief will reach the taxpayers concerned in mid-December. In the vast majority of cases, the files are subject to automatic collective relief, without request from the farmer. However, individual requests can be filed justifying the losses suffered.*

Regarding payment, farmers will only have to pay the difference between the initial tax and the amount of relief for crop loss. In this context, they benefit from a generalized payment deferral, without penalty, until December 31, 2024, even if they have received a reminder letter including the 10% increase for non-payment by October 15.