In the quest for new revenue for 2025, the idea of doubling a tax on museums and leisure activities will be submitted to the National Assembly for a vote.
This is a particularly slippery path on which the National Assembly is preparing to embark. While the debates on tax increases for 2025 must be held until this Friday, October 25, a new idea of additional revenue for the state coffers will be submitted to the vote of the deputies. It is unexpected to say the least and should not fail to be commented on if it is adopted.
Currently, museums, historical monuments, amusement parks (for children or those with thrills), mini-golf courses, treetop adventure courses, karting, escape games, laser games, nightclubs and even various fairs or exhibitions do not apply, on their prices, only a VAT rate of 10%. However, it is proposed that from 1er January, this doubles to 20%. Which would automatically lead to an increase in the ticket price, which would not go into the pocket of society but into that of the country.
Concretely, this could concern – to mention only the most emblematic – the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Disneyland Paris or Astérix Park, the Loire castles or even any leisure activity popular with children. For parents, this could represent a real blow to the budget, with increases, per ticket, which could represent 1 to 5€.
The idea does not come from the government but from right-wing media MP Philippe Juvin. His proposal has already taken a first step since the deputies of the Finance Committee adopted his initiative. This will again be put to a vote, this time by the entire National Assembly. If it is adopted, it remains to be seen whether the government will retain it in the final draft or whether it will ignore it by forcefully passing its initial text, with 49.3. Doubling VAT in this sector could bring in an additional 100 to 300 million euros in 2025.
Latest updates
11:05 – Leisure activities soon to be more expensive due to a tax increase?
As the government seeks new revenue, the idea of an increase in VAT on leisure activities has been floated. Currently, the State receives 10% on each entry. In a few weeks, he will perhaps receive 20%. The idea was formulated by MP Philippe Juvin and will be examined in Parliament after many other elected officials approved the proposal during a first stage.
This would concern “exhibitions, sites and installations of a recreational nature”, namely all the aforementioned activities, but also museums, monuments and historical buildings (Eiffel Tower for example), parks and botanical gardens or even all types of amusement parks (Disney and Asterix included). For a price range varying from 10 to 50 euros, this would lead to an increase in prices of 1 to 5€ per ticket, the increase in tax being inevitably passed on to the price paid by the visitor.
10/23/24 – 4:56 p.m. – Tax increases adopted in force?
The government is paving the way for 49.3 only one day after the start of examination of the bill concerning the 2025 budget. The use of this constitutional tool was “discussed” during the Council of Ministers scheduled for this Wednesday, October 23, affirmed the government spokesperson, Maud Bregeon, speaking to France 2. “It’s the rule, it’s a constitutional possibility available to the government. But it’s not the will of the Prime Minister,” added the macronist. What should you expect? Explanations in our article.
23/10/24 – 07:59 – The Assembly expands and perpetuates the surtax on high incomes
This was not what was planned, but the deputies decided to adopt a text in the examination of the budget which ratifies the new tax contribution of high-income households proposed by the government, but by broadening the base of this surcharge. MEPs chose last night to put in place a minimum tax rate of 20% for households declaring more than 250,000 euros of annual income for a single person. The government wanted it to be very clearly indicated that this tax would only be introduced for three years, but the amendments tabled by the left and the MoDem changed the situation: this time limit was removed. Out of 258 deputies who took part in the vote, 191 voted for and 35 against the adoption of this text. The MoDem marks its difference with the “common base” of the government parties in the examination of this budget. Let us specify that the government can still have its initial text adopted if it uses article 49.3 of the Constitution.
10/22/24 – 8:11 p.m. – The main electricity tax doubled
On the sidelines of the presentation of the 2025 budget on October 10, the government confirmed that electricity was going to drop… but that the famous TICFE was going to increase. The exact increase will only be decided at the start of the year, but a course of action will be followed: “guarantee a reduction of at least 9% in the regulated electricity sales tariff from February 1, 2025.” Bercy is working on a range “around €50/MwH”, while it is currently at €21/MwH, more than double, and a level higher than that known before the energy crisis.
10/22/24 – 6:27 p.m. – Several tax increases on cars
This is a sensitive measure: the increase in taxes on cars. The government plans to toughen penalties on cars that emit the most CO2. Today at 118g of CO2/km, the threshold for triggering the penalty will be lowered to 113g in 2025 then to 106g in 2026. At the same time, the amount of the penalty to be paid will increase, by 10,000 euros per year until 2027 for the most polluting cars. Furthermore, the tax linked to the weight of the car will also be triggered earlier: from 1500kg in 2025 compared to 1600kg currently.
10/22/24 – 5:41 p.m. – Tax on house construction about to increase
Right-wing and centrist MPs are proposing to increase the cost of the development tax. This is a tax paid when a building permit is issued, that is to say during the construction of a house, or during work on a garden shed, an extension or even a swimming pool. These elected officials want the departments to be able to collect more, by increasing the rate from 2.5 to 3.5%. For example, for a 100m² construction, the amount of tax paid to the department could increase from 1142.50 euros to 1599.50 euros, an increase of 457 euros. The Finance Committee voted for this modification. Will the Assembly, the Senate and the government be of the same opinion?
10/22/24 – 4:37 p.m. – A tax on vaping products studied
Less expensive and allowing you to better manage the dose of nicotine you want, vaping is in vogue. Enough to interest the State, which now sees in these measures a financial windfall to bring a little more money into its coffers. Quite surprisingly, vaping liquids, even when they contain nicotine, are not subject to the special tax on tobacco, as is the case for cigarettes and cigars. A bias that could end. The creation of a specific tax on these products will be submitted to a vote by deputies and senators. The idea is to apply a tax of 15 cents per milliliter of liquid, or €1.50 per product, the quantity generally being 10ml. This supplement would be automatically reflected in the purchase price.