PURCHASING POWER LAW. A series of bonuses and aid arrives from the start of the school year in order to fight against inflation. Back-to-school allowance, fuel discount… Here is the complete calendar.
[Mis à jour le 26 août 2022 à 08h06] After weeks of negotiations between deputies and senators, the purchasing power bill was adopted with a series of measures in favor of the purchasing power of the French. Bonuses, increases, and other discounts recorded in an attempt to fight against the galloping inflation observed for several months in France (6.1% in July over one year). This purchasing power law was promulgated on August 16 before being published in the Official Journal two days later, on August 18, 2022. But then, what are the exact payment dates for these measures supposed to improve the standard of living of modest households? Here is the schedule, until the end of the year:
- 1st of August : Tripling of the amount of the Macron bonus
- September 1st : Fuel discount of 30 euro cents
- September 9 : Increase in pensions by 4%
- September 15 : Payment of the inflation bonus of 100 euros
- During September : Second payment of the back-to-school allowance
- December 31st : Deadline for the release of employee savings
Promulgated on August 16 and published in the Official Journal on August 18, the Purchasing Power Law brings together numerous aid measures in favor of the purchasing power of the French. The text, which was enriched by parliamentarians, includes three sections: protection of household living standards, consumer protection and energy sovereignty. The emergency measures it carries represent 20 billion euros in expenditure, included in the 2022 amending budget which includes other support measures (exceptional back-to-school aid, continuation of the tariff shield on energy, fuel discount. ..). These measures come in the context of rising consumer prices, and in particular energy prices due to the war in Ukraine. In July 2022, according to INSEE, the rise in inflation reached 6.1% over one year.
The date of payment of your retirement pension, supplemented by the 4% revaluation (relating to the purchasing power bill) is now known! Indeed, the increase in basic pensions will take place on September 9, 2022 for the August retirement, as indicated on the Retirement Insurance website. The lengthening of the parliamentary calendar delayed this payment by one month. Indeed, this increase was only approved on August 3, 2022. Originally, this first payment should have been made on August 9. A retroactive effect to July 1 will be applied.
discount fuel 18 euro cents per liter of fuel purchased, it’s over! Make way for the discount of 30 cents, promised by the government as part of the purchasing power bill. On September 1, 2022, this discount will be effective directly at the pump in all French service stations. An operation valid until October 31. Beyond that, the premium will drop significantly, dropping to 10 euro cents from November 1 to December 31. In all likelihood, it should disappear by the end of the year.
The ceiling of the Macron bonus is tripled: this “value sharing bonus”, paid by the employer to the employee on a voluntary basis, was until now capped at 1,000 euros and could reach 3,000 euros. In addition, companies that have signed a profit-sharing agreement and companies with fewer than 50 employees could see the bonus ceiling drop from 2,000 to 6,000 euros. The payment of this bonus by companies may be split over the year, up to four installments. Finally, an employer who has already paid a bonus of 2,000 euros at the start of 2022 will be able to give a second between August 1 and December 31. Thus, an employee will be able to receive up to 8,000 euros of Macron bonus in 2022. From 2024, it will always be exempt from social security contributions, on the other hand, it will be subject to income tax.
The tv license fee is over! Indeed, its abolition was formalized and validated by the Constitutional Council in August. This tax of 138 euros in mainland France and 88 euros overseas will no longer be deducted from you! Good news for 23 million taxpayers. Be careful however, the loss of revenue for the State should be compensated through VAT. The abolition of the TV license fee will give rise to a cascade of refunds from the tax authorities from the start of the 2022 school year. Do you want to know the date of your refund? Here are the different deadlines depending on your situation:
- Monthly 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
To support the purchasing power of the French in the face of rising inflation, the government has decided to draw its inflation bonus again, an “exceptional back-to-school bonus” this time, from a amount of 100 euros ! 50 euros will be allocated for each additional dependent child. Unlike the first inflation bonus distributed at the end of 2021, this one will be more targeted, it will concern 10.8 million households the most modest in France. In particular, RSA recipients or APL and AAH beneficiaries. The payment date is scheduled for September 15, 2022. Be aware that it is quite possible that the transfer will not reach your bank account until a few days later, the payment being scheduled for a Thursday. The banking times applied by your bank can vary quite widely.
The first payment of the back-to-school allowance took place on August 16 last. Attention, this year, a second installment should be paid during September. This bonus of 4% corresponds to the increase in social minima, a measure voted by deputies and senators during the summer. This second installment will be between 15 and €16.50 depending on your family situation.
From here to December 31, 2022an employee will have the possibility of unblocking his participation or his profit-sharing salary without being subject to tax. Please note that the total amount that the employee wishes to release must not be exceeded. €10,000.
The amount of the civil service index point has been completely frozen since 2017. Indeed, for more than five years, no general increase in the remuneration of public officials has taken place. Only a few categorical increases have been implemented by Emmanuel Macron since his election as President of the Republic in 2017. But, as of this year, the civil service index point will experience a further increase of 4% from the 1st July. In reality, this increase will only be visible from August, with retroactive effect from July 1. The various unions were demanding an increase of between 3% and 20%.