Overview
- Former economy minister Éric Lombard said DGFiP work found that among the wealthiest, thousands report a revenu fiscal de référence of zero and therefore pay no income tax, often by channeling income through holdings.
- Finance Committee chair Éric Coquerel formally invoked his legal prerogatives to request DGFiP and Bercy notes, analyses and calculations underpinning Lombard’s assertion.
- The tax administration said it does not comment on political statements and is bound by tax secrecy, leaving the scale of the phenomenon unverified for now.
- Public accounts minister Amélie de Montchalin told the National Assembly that claims of tens of thousands paying no income tax are not supported by any Bercy document and said she will provide the committee with relevant notes and data.
- The government highlights measures in the finance bill, including an article taxing holdings, as a response to known optimization mechanisms, while left‑wing figures such as economist Gabriel Zucman press for tougher action on high‑wealth taxation.