The French think they pay too much taxes, but are not calling for lowering them

Europe 1 with AFP 10:44 a.m., January 30, 2024

A large majority of French people consider that they pay too much tax and social security contributions, but they are hardly in favor of reducing these levies, according to a survey published Tuesday by the Council for Compulsory Deductions (CPO). In this latest “Barometer of tax and social security contributions in France”, the institution associated with the Court of Auditors notes that three-quarters of French people (75%) consider the level of taxes in the country to be too high.

Too many taxes for “middle incomes”

76% of around 2,000 respondents surveyed by Harris Interactive from September 1 to 19, 2023 consider that the general level of social security contributions is also too high. The poll was published a few hours before the general policy declaration of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who has continued to proclaim his intention to defend the middle class and ensure that work pays better. President Emmanuel Macron himself promised a tax gesture of 2 billion euros in 2025 for these households.

In the survey published Tuesday, 57% of respondents believe that "the 50% of middle-income households" (i.e. the middle class) pay too much tax. Nearly one in two French people (47%) find the tax and social system not redistributive enough, a percentage down eight points compared to that of the first barometer, published in 2021. The survey carried out for the CPO reveals a number of paradoxes: if 75% of French people consider the general level of taxes too high, "only a minority of respondents would accept a reduction in public spending in exchange for a reduction in their taxes", according to the CPO.

Fight against tax evasion

"In detail, only 29% would accept it for public pension spending, 30% for health, 32% for justice and security, 35% for education, 42% for the fight against poverty and "exclusion and 44% for defense", lists the Council. Another surprising observation at first glance: if "a part of the population declares that they support avoidance practices in tax matters", "55% of those questioned want the State to spend more public funds to fight against tax and social fraud ".

"The tolerance of the French is thus stronger for optimization practices, - that is to say behaviors which, without being illicit, seek to take advantage of tax and social loopholes, exceptions or differences in tax calculation between countries, - than for fraud", comments the CPO.