“But what came to the State in this mess”? This is the question that imposes itself when we place the list of contributions is on the site of the great national debate. For nearly ten days, people can respond to the consultation online, by posting their proposals on the subject of their choice. It seems that the French are caught in the game: on 31 January, near 123.500 participants have published a total of more than 139.500 ideas. Among the four major themes, “taxation and public spending” causes the most reactions: in the heart of the mobilization of the “yellow vests” for the past eleven weeks, this area has collected nearly 47.600 contributions to him only, for 40.600 participants, or more than a third of the total.
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A reading of the ideas posted can be asked to several observations. First, some of the topics lighthouses fascinate the participants and raise thousands of proposals. Then, the final analysis of all of the contributions will no doubt be a challenge outside the norm, so the task should be complex. Le Figaro back on the main topics put forward on the platform in the field of taxation and economic.
● Lower the tax burden on a
With more than 8100 proposals relating thereto, the key word, “income taxes” is part of the most popular on the platform. The majority of the contributors are demanding better information about the use of public money and many point to the lack of “transparency”, in particular relating to the compensation of public officials or officers of the commissions. One recalls the recent controversy around the fees of Chantal Jouanno, in charge of the national public debate Commission (CNDP), which was originally scheduled to lead a discussion. Some contributors propose that the government send a letter to every citizen, while others suggest to use the internet, the school or the media to better present the way in which the State budget is constructed and then used.
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If the majority of contributions points to a ras-le-bol tax, the proposals take various paths to respond to this: a significant number suggest, for example, make the tax more progressive and “proportional” to the income of individuals, while others consider it to be “lower tax rates” immediately. Still others seek to put in place a compulsory tax for all, as soon as a euro of income, in order to combat the syndrome of the stowaway: “42% pay the tax on the income, this is not very egalitarian,” can it be read on the platform.
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● Reduce the budget of the State
The tax cuts desired by a significant number of contributors has its corollary in the decline of “expenditure”, a topic which brings together more than 3100 proposals. Simplify the State, reduce the train of life, minimize the expenditure… The public portfolio and the manner in which it is used the most internet users. For all that, a non-negligible share of them don’t even have to be a massive cut in the budget lines, but rather a shift to “better spend” in favour of the most needy.
● Rethink retreats
The issue of seniors made a carton on the platform-government: more than 2500 proposals relate to the question of “retreats” and 800 back on the “CSG”, in which the increase has raised the ire of part of the population last year. To decrease this contribution is part of the popular notions, and a reflection on retirement pensions, which are very often judged to be insufficient for living well. This theme remains explosive: the retirees are mobilizing again this Thursday to defend their purchasing power, they feel in danger from the freezing or near-freezing of pensions.
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● Most of the “tax justice”
This is one of the flagship measures: more “tax justice”. This word receives more than 3000 submissions, and that “equality” is more than 1300 suggestions. The participants urge the State to combat a social system perceived as being deeply unequal and ask what everyone pays according to his means, to alleviate in part the burden of the tax which weighs on the less fortunate. “Everyone should contribute according to its means to empower the citizens,” writes a contributor. Many also want to review the system of tax loopholes, which benefit, for example some sectors of activity, in order to remove these “benefits” deemed unjust.
● Fight against the “privileges” of the elect
Among the proposals popular figure the end of the “privileges” enjoyed by, according to the “yellow vests”, elected as members or former presidents of the Republic. Car, allowance, pension, housing, etc. Many will ask the end of these expenditures that are considered extravagant and unnecessary. Among the examples cited include the “allowance for funeral expenses” which can benefit the members, former members and their families at the time of death. “Elected officials, set the example,” growls a user, who calls to end the “recasages” of loved ones.
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● to Put in place a VAT rate of 0%
Rise in power these past few days, the idea of a VAT at a reduced rate, or even zero, on the products of the first necessity makes its way among the contributors, who cite that the food products, which the pharmacy or personal hygiene. In exchange, an increase in this indirect tax on luxury goods, alcohol or tobacco, is suggested by users to compensate for this shortfall. Fact: the issue of fuel seems to have been forgotten, collecting less than 50 contributions.
● tax Exile, ISF, inequality, patronage: towards an increased contribution from the more fortunate
not surprisingly, the contribution of the richest to the economy and the social system is among the most talked about topics. The “rich” aroused and more than 600 proposals, when the “redistribution” in causes close to 250. More than 550 proposals stress the need to strengthen the fight against tax evasion, and request that the government ensures that “those who make their fortunes in France to pay their taxes in France”. This topic is back on the table these last few days, when Bruno The Mayor has promised that a law would soon be in this sense. Generally, more than 200 proposals to encourage the fight against inequality in all possible ways, through a better distribution of the resources of the State, an increased fight against tax structures and the tax exile or a strengthening of the redistribution via the income tax. Other suggestions, more specific still, and suggest to limit the compensation of the “bosses of the CAC 40”, for example “100 times the lowest salary in the company and 50 times the median wage”.
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The question of the restoration of the ISF – possibility swept away by the executive – causes more than 1000 proposals. “Restore and enhance” this, however, is not the only track suggested: some propose to reform it, by forcing the wealthy to invest this money in the real economy, e.g. via tax credits or tax deductions.
● Companies: taxation more “fair”
Curiously, the word “company” should not give rise to a little less than 750 proposals in total. Very varied, the suggestions offer a jumble of lowering taxes on companies to step up the fight against evasion and tax optimization. A dichotomy appears, however, in the suggestions: a separate large companies to small, and wish more taxing large groups to compensate for a reduction of the tax burden on SMALL and medium sized businesses.
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In addition, about 150 web users come back on the question of Gafam (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft), these giants of the internet who do not pay, according to the contributors, a sufficient amount of taxes in France. The majority of proposals on this topic ask the State to act to “impose the Gafam on the turnover” in the Hexagon, and to the fight against the tax optimization, which are regularly used by these companies.
● Europe: the track of the harmonisation of the tax
If some of the 300 proposals, the thematic european ask to get out of the Union to cancel the French participation in the budget of Brussels, the majority seems to ask for a harmonisation or, at least, a coordination of tax at the scale of 28. The goal is simple: to put an end to the tax optimization practiced by the companies, to fight against the relocation and to stop the competition deemed unfair by some nations in the face of the French workers. This measure, however, remains complex to implement, as the Union asks unanimous consent to make a decision in tax matters.
