The Minister of Public Accounts wants to launch a project on the payroll tax, which generates more than 17 billion euros annually. This measure, created in 1948, sparked intense debates in the National Assembly during the review of the social security financing bill. Despite numerous amendments, no reform has been adopted yet.
The payroll tax, established in 1948, applies to activities not subject to VAT and accounts for more than 17 billion euros in annual levies, particularly burdening public sector employers. Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin has expressed her desire to launch a project on this tax, but only after the budget review.
Last Wednesday evening, deputies held a lengthy debate on this tax as part of the 'revenues' section of the social security financing bill (PLFSS). Over twenty amendments, from nearly all political sides, aimed to reform the measure: exempting certain actors or simplifying its complex scale into a single rate. All these proposals, accompanied by unfavorable opinions from the Assembly's general rapporteur and the government, were withdrawn or rejected.
The government thus responds to calls to lower the tax with a 'yes, but no,' postponing significant action until after the budget. Several amendments referenced a report, but the debate yielded no immediate changes, highlighting tensions over public finances in France.