5 for a turnover of 3 million euros and 1

A vast majority of winners for a handful of losers: that is, from the point of view of businesses, the table which should lead the removal of business tax (TP) on equipment and movable starting next year. Its product amounts, today, to EUR 22.2 billion. But, in view of budgetary constraints, the State is other existing taxes. In total, the net gain for the business will be more modest. If the schema presented yesterday by Christine Lagarde is selected, companies will be in the end light taxes of EUR 6.3 billion.

The Government is however gives a few more weeks to continue the dialogue. In view of the sensitivity of the subject, the project can even evolve in his review in the Parliament this fall. "It will be, in any case, of the largest tax cut has always practised", said Gilles Carrez, rapporteur of the budget to the National Assembly.

Very progressive

To reduce its Bill, the State will impose the business in respect of value added, from 500,000 euros of turnover (CA). This tax is, today, only companies carrying out more than 7.6 million euros of CA, and it amounts to 1.5. The new tax is very progressive ("Les Echos" from July 6): it will reach 0.5 for a turnover of 3 million euros and 1.5 for a turnover of 50 million euros (see opposite). Will the tax stop, in addition, be "differential", which means that it will be more reduced in proportion to the tax paid by the company. This will help to raise the tax on the added value of 7 to 10 billion euros. The Government abandons, on the other hand, to increase property taxes. They will be even smaller, 15, for industrial facilities. They will have to evolve to keep pace with the taxes of individuals, to prevent local elected representatives to raise taxes on businesses to protect their constituents.

40 of the earnings for the industry

In the end, any size of company is losing, and all sectors (commerce, services to individuals, industry, etc.) see their taxes decrease. 40 of the earnings go to the industry, the most exposed to international competition. Employer organisations consider the compromise "globally satisfactory". But among the 2.9 million enterprises, they focus now on the case of some lose 30,000. Adjustments can be proposed, these next few weeks, to address the most difficult situations. In very rare cases, the tax paid by the employer is indeed multiplied by 2 or 3. Term, companies must also expect higher prices of fossil fuels, to the title of CO emissions. The record of the carbon tax could even move from the end of the month, for a first application, necessarily gross in 2010. The final bill for the State will depend on the ultimate arbitrations. For the time being, some 5.3 billion EUR are yet to find.

Local communities are also relieved: in accordance with their wishes, the State gave to transfer all or part of the internal tax on petroleum products. The level of budgetary allocations, which reduces their fiscal autonomy is also revised down, around EUR 5 billion.

Remains to set the timetable for reform: the Government must decide if it will apply fully to January 1, 2010 or not.