2020 taxes: Covid-19, withholding taxes… an extraordinary campaign

Even when our lives are turned upside down, little things don't change. Those nostalgic for the world before could hang on to this unchanging ritual: the declaration of income. Because even at the time of the direct debit and the coronavirus, the taxman is still waiting for you to send him the report - even if it is pre-filled! - of what you earned the previous year.

The only concession made to the virus, the calendar has been slightly modified. The Directorate General of Public Finance (DGFiP) postponed the reporting campaign for ten days. From April 20, and until June 11 or 12 for online and paper declarants, the 27 million tax households are therefore invited to check and / or supplement their 2019 income.

Automatic declaration, direct debit, tax credits, deferral of deposits… Our “income tax” supplement, which you will find this Saturday in a dedicated notebook, will accompany you during this key stage in the taxpayer's life. If there are still gray areas, do not hesitate to pick up your phone (0809 401 401, cost of a local call) to reach the tax officials or send an email via your special space on the tax site .

Tensions in front of closed tax centers

But do not rush to the counter of your center without having made an appointment! Because the personal tax services, which welcome each year 4.5 million taxpayers during the tax return campaign, are closed. Only French people with "complex questions" will have the privilege of obtaining a physical appointment. The others will wait, in vain, on the sidewalk.

Even if it creates tensions. "There are, throughout France, small clashes and names of birds whistling, deplores Olivier Villois, national secretary of the CGT of public finances. In Paris, Marseille or Nice, taxpayers do not understand that the doors are closed to the public. In the capital, the personal tax services reopened on May 25, a week after those of other departments.

"The most popular centers of the 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements will only reopen on June 2," says Sandra Demarcq, tax controller and union official in Paris at Solidaires Finances publics. During this extraordinary campaign, a part of the population - the most precarious, the oldest, the one who does not speak French well or does not know how to use the Internet - is set aside. Our public service mission has not been achieved. "

"Households anticipate higher taxes"

But while it is likely that many taxpayers will not have a physical contact person this year, most are most concerned about next year's return. Who, they think, could hurt… Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of Action and Public Accounts, yet recently qualified as "essential" the maintenance of tax cuts (income tax, abolition of the tax housing), but the French fear a tax hype to cover part of the expenses linked to the health crisis.

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A first "coronavirus tax" has also emerged. While it was to be abolished in 2024, the CRDS - a contribution of 0.5% on all income - will finally be extended until 2033. And the debate on the return of the ISF resurfaces. As a result, households remain cautious. "They anticipate additional charges or tax increases, analyzes Anne-Sophie Alsif, chief economist at the Office of Economic Information and Forecasting (BIPE). The savings rate has already gone from 14% before the crisis to 18% today and we do not see any change coming. However, the recovery of consumption in France is a prerequisite for economic recovery. "