A level of levies perceived as excessive
The survey, conducted by the Council of Mandatory Levies in collaboration with Harris Interactive and CREST, highlights the ambivalent attitude of the French towards tax.
A constant emerges: the French deem the level of taxes and social contributions too high. 75% of respondents believe the amount of taxes is too high, a figure that climbs to 76% when addressing social contributions. A perception that loses intensity when the French consider their personal situation: only 63% still believe they pay too much tax, and 65% feel they contribute too much to social security.
An opposition to the reduction of public spending
While the level of tax levies is criticized, the French are reluctant to agree to a reduction in public spending to alleviate their tax burden. They rather support the perspective of improving the quality of public expenditure, without changing the level of levies.
French between criticism and approval of the socio-fiscal system
The French tax and social system, though associated with high levies, is also perceived as unfair by a large portion of the French population. This perception is due to various, sometimes contradictory, reasons. Paradoxically, the survey also notes a certain tax civility among respondents: 79% of them acknowledge that paying taxes is a 'civic duty' and 55% are in favor of strengthening the fight against tax fraud.
Behavioral adjustments in response to changes in withdrawals
The study also highlights the way in which the French adapt their economic behaviors to variations in tax and social charges. The respondents thus declare to adjust their consumption and savings more than their work, in response to a change in their taxes and social contributions.
Determining factors of tax consent
Knowledge of the socio-fiscal system, trust in institutions, a sense of fiscal equity, and satisfaction with the use of public money are the main determinants of tax consent. Conversely, the quality of relations with the tax administration and socio-demographic factors have a weak or inconclusive role on this consent.
To strengthen tax consent, the CPO notably recommends regularly questioning the use of mandatory levies through expenditure reviews and improving taxpayer information on the use of public money, as well increases sensitivity to the control of this expenditure.
These figures are revealed in a broader context marked by increased sensitivity to tax and public money use issues, notably illustrated by the lack of resources of many public services such as the hospital, justice system, or the school.
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