TV ROYALTY. Reimbursement of the audiovisual license fee began on September 6, but other payment dates are already scheduled depending on your situation.
[Mis à jour le 9 septembre 2022 à 11h50] It was one of Emmanuel Macron’s promises for many months, the abolition of the tv license fee is now effective. This local tax of 138 euros is definitively abolished within the framework of the purchasing power law, supposed to reduce taxation in France and support the wallet of the most modest households in a period of galloping inflation. Highly symbolic, the audiovisual fee is therefore no longer payable for all households with a television set in their home. Better, a refund has already started by the tax authorities. On Tuesday, September 6, some of you saw a transfer labeled “REB.EXCD.TAX” on their bank account. This first payment concerns only the taxpayers monthly payments and exonerated from housing tax. But then, how to get the refund if you still haven’t received anything? In reality, various situations exist, which determine the date of payment of the reimbursement.
You still haven’t received the refund of the tv license fee? Don’t worry, if you are monthly paid and you pay the residence tax, a refund will be made in October 2022. A second option is available to you: a decrease of what remains to be paid in respect of the residence tax, if the amount of the monthly payments already deducted is less than the amount of housing tax due for 2022. Finally, if you are not monthly paid, the amount of the audiovisual fee will be deducted from local tax amount for which you are liable. To find out about it, don’t forget to take a good look at your council tax notice for the month of October (payment scheduled for next November). The abolition of the audiovisual license fee represents a shortfall of €3.7 billion for the State, which will be compensated by a transfer of a fraction of the product of the VAT until end of 2024.
The abolition of the tv license fee will give rise to various reimbursements during the months of September and October 2022. Three main situations exist, here they are:
- Monthly payment and exempt from housing tax : reimbursement in September by bank transfer
- Monthly payment and payment of housing tax : reimbursement in October
- Not monthly : no steps
In 2021, the public audiovisual contribution amounted to 138 euros, for everyone and regardless of the composition of your household or the number of televisions. Overseas, it was lower since it stood at 88 euros. As a reminder, the contribution to public broadcasting had to be paid each year before its abolition in the summer of 2022. Since 2005, it was backed by the housing tax. Its amount was therefore entered on the notice of assessment of the local tax.
The amending finance law (LFR) for 2022 published in Official newspaper of August 17, 2022 abolishes from 2022 the contribution to public broadcasting which makes it possible to finance public broadcasting. This fee, which brought in 3.7 billion euros to the State, will be compensated by a transfer of a fraction of the VAT proceeds until the end of 2024. The abolition of the fee is part of the government’s desire to reduce the taxes of the French in the face of the constant rise in inflation for several months. It is also possible to mention the abolition of the housing tax which will concern all owners of their main residence in 2023.
You discover that you are liable for the TV license fee and want to know if there are any exemption situations? Here are the taxpayers who are not subject to this tax:
- You benefit from the AAH and your income does not exceed a ceiling.
- You are disabled or live with a disabled person: exemption is possible, again subject to income.
- Your reference tax income is equal to 0.
- You are under 21 (or under 25 and studying) and are still attached to your parents’ tax household.
- You are over 60 or you are a widow (or widower): it is possible to benefit from an exemption subject to income (see below).
- You receive the minimum old age (ASPA) or the UPS.
- You live in an nursing home or a retirement home.
Remember that the reference tax income must also not exceed certain ceilings. Here are the reference tax income limits not to be exceeded:
- 1 share: 11,120 euros
- 1.5 shares: 14,089 euros
- 2 units: €17,058
- 2.5 units: €20,027
- 3 shares: 22,996 euros