Deduct tax at source does not have much interest
The levy of tax on the payroll, reform often cited in France, no advantage, the Council believes the tax burden. Explanations. The fight against tax evasion has allowed the state to recover 16 billion euros in 2010
The levy of tax at source (on payslip) exists in many countries (Germany, Spain, USA, UK, etc..). In France it's a bit of Arles: often mentioned, defended by many supporters, the reform has never been implemented and taxpayers continue to pay tax on income in a timely manner and shifted by a years. Francois Hollande envisioned as an outcome of its fiscal revolution, before abandoning it.
The levy of income tax at source has three advantages in theory: the employee has a better vision of what he actually earns (net income after tax), it lowers collection costs for administration tax (third-party payers, most companies are much less likely than individuals) and it improves the collection of taxes (making more complex optimization and tax evasion).
But it also has disadvantages. In addition to the difficulty in managing the transition year – in particular limiting behavior of tax evasion – the levy would involve considerable cost to the companies in charge of collecting taxes, the Council believes the tax burden (CPO , attached to the Court of Auditors) in a report released today. This cost could reach 2 billion euros per year. The risk that the bosses decide wages or layoffs, based on tax rates for their employees should not be underestimated, particularly in SMEs, says the CPO. Besides the companies would have to tax data, so confidential, on their employees.
Bridge the gap between perception and the taxation of income
"The balance between the advantages and disadvantages does not justify such a shift in the current state," said Didier Migaud, First President of the Court of Auditors, in an interview with Les Echos on Thursday. He said some of the arguments for withholding have "aged". The "relationship between the tax authorities and taxpayers have been modernized," argues Didier Migaud. The CPO. First, because nearly half of the taxes levied in France are now instantly (CSG, taxes on capital income, etc..).
Secondly because the reporting of income (pre-filled since 2006) and the tax payment (monthly payments, direct debit) are now much more automatic. The idea that the withholding tax would simplify life for taxpayers is obsolete. The tax collection is, itself, become much more efficient: the recovery rate is 99% or as much as in countries that levy the tax at source, as the CPO.
However, the CPO grade, this measure can be considered, but as part of a comprehensive tax reform and deep income taxation. That is to say, provided it is carried in advance to a simplification of massive income tax (abolition of tax loopholes, end the family income, etc..). And meanwhile, the CPO suggested deleting the one-year lag between perception and the taxation of income, especially for 40% of taxpayers who see their revenues decline one year and must wait until next year to see their tax decline.