“No return to housing tax”, promises the government but… “there is nothing free”

Should we relaunch the housing tax? For several weeks, local elected officials have been putting forward this proposal in the face of the financial situation in France. Emmanuel Macron removed it in his first five-year term for primary residences while it remains in force for secondary residences.

The government has decided. “There will be no return to the housing tax on main residences”, promises the Minister of Partnership with the Territories and Decentralization Catherine Vautrin in an interview with Parisian.

“Possible participation in living in the city or village”

But taxpayers will probably have to put their hands in their wallets. “We need to think about possible participation in living in the town or village. There is nothing free,” points out Catherine Vautrin.

No. 3 of the government announces the opening of a consultation with local elected officials at the beginning of 2025. “We have a reflection on the scale of the country, which has not yet been arbitrated. It is that of the link of participation of our fellow citizens to the entire use of the city”.

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Taxes: what do we know about the “universal territorial contribution” which could replace the housing tax?

20 billion euros

The Local Finance Committee (CLF) conducts discussions relating to taxation. The Association of Mayors of France suggests the establishment of a “citizen contribution to public service”. “It’s not ridiculous,” for Catherine Vautrin. It remains to be seen what form this new tax would take and especially its annual amount.

The housing tax, which brought in nearly 20 billion euros to local authorities, was completely abolished on main residences in 2023. At the same time, the property tax has increased by almost 33% in France over the last ten years. .

The universal territorial contribution will be on the program of the next Congress of Mayors, which is to be held in Paris from November 19 to 21.