The first week in which the income tax campaign started, starting April 20, the phones kept ringing. In the twelve tax service centers (reachable on 0809 401 401, cost of a local call), throughout France, 90,000 calls were recorded. In Lille (Nord), around forty agents from the Directorate General of Public Finances (DGFiP) were in the starting blocks, in the tax offices or at home, teleworking.
"Calls can last one or 50 minutes," says Denis Putkownik, one of the inspectors at the Lille call center. This year, we have many questions related to adjustments, up or down. Taxpayers who had salary increases in 2019, who have one less dependent child or unredeemed tax credits may be called to refund money to the taxman. They did not expect it, thinking that the withholding tax would manage that mechanically ".
Another question: the "automatic" declaration. "We explain to them that they have to verify the information," he continues. For example, the tax authorities do not have data on tax credits and reductions. It is therefore essential to modify the automatic declaration. "
"As competent as the agents of the centers"
Sometimes, some taxpayers are angry. Their tax center is closed to the public, except by appointment. "We estimate recovering between 15 and 20% of the taxpayers who usually go to the tax centers," notes Clothilde Desbuisson-Smagghe, the manager of the Lille tax service center.
From her small office, located on the second floor of her house, Emilie Leblois, telecommuting controller for two months, answers their questions by phone. "They are worried, but we reassure them by explaining that we are just as competent as tax center agents," she explains. If necessary, we can set up assisted navigation to guide them directly to their computer. "
Some older taxpayers wish to recover a paper version of the tax return. Health crisis obliges, their children are not available to come and help them fill it on the Internet. "If it is a tool they do not fully understand, we can exceptionally send it to La Poste," explains Emilie Leblois. Afterwards, some have still not received their paper declaration due to delays in delivering mail. They have all been sent by May 20 and are expected soon. "
"I have already called 15 times to have an appointment"
Other taxpayers, disorientated by an unprecedented tax campaign, are trying at all costs to obtain a precious niche in a tax center. File (thick) under the arm, cardboard shirts in hand, these early-morning and organized Parisians came out early "to avoid the crowd" and thought they were quick. "I have only a very small question to ask," said Odette, that morning, approaching the personal tax service, at 13 rue du Général Beuret (15th).
The catch? It only welcomes ... by appointment. An exceptional measure linked to the pandemic. At the entrance, two polite guards tirelessly repeat the same words to the taxpayers clustered on the sidewalk. "If you have not made an appointment, if your names do not appear on our sheet, you cannot enter". Some insist, ride on their big horses - "A roof! Even the Post Office is open! - but the filtering is unforgiving.
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Placed on the glass doors, an A4 sheet showered the hopes of those who would bet on a return to normal: "The tax center is closed for an indefinite period". Next to it, another sheet reminds that additional time was granted for the filing of the income tax return.
The two security officers distribute notices detailing the procedure to follow in order to see an adviser. "But I have already called at least 15 times to get an appointment, without success," says Arlette, a retiree. After 15 minutes they hang up on you when they forgot to send you a form. "
"I wanted to recover a new form"
"Grannies and grandpas don't understand why we are blocking their access", cowardly, embarrassed, one of the guards. The other oversteps his function and, as best he can, becomes a tax advisor. Sylvie, 68, came specially from Châtillon (Hauts-de-Seine) to make the declaration of Paulette, her "98-year-old mother, who depends on the public finance center of the 15th century". She hoped to find at the counter “the 2042 RICI declaration (Editor's note: tax reductions and tax credits) ”, which she needs “to mention donations to works”. She sighs: "I had less trouble getting my mother's checkbook from the bank ..."
The flow is continuous, some leave annoyed or angry, others arrive. Always three or four people make the crane foot in front of the door. "There are the worried who want to be sure that everything is good, the very worried who want a tampon, those whose family situation changes, those who pay child support for the first time, those who wonder if is more interesting to take a dependent child or to deduct the costs ”, details a union representative of Solidaires-Finances publics, the first tax union.
“I just wanted to get a new form, plague Robert, 74, retired textile designer. I declare on paper and I made erasures. A happy man who had an appointment discreetly leaves. "You are received standing, 15 minutes max, and mandatory mask," he says. It is not user-friendly, but I had the answers to my questions. Behind him, a tax officer escapes from the building. People flock to him, but he disappears behind a carriage door: "I can't talk to you".
Fear of the “return of fiscal overkill”
The Solidaires union representative deplores: “The agents also suffer from this situation. Tax law remains very complex, people need us. What we want is a public service for everyone, everywhere. Alas, in Paris, 1,700 jobs have been cut in public finance centers since 2010. And in 2020, 182 jobs disappeared, or 12.13% of national cuts. "
For some, the frustration is all the greater to be denied access because they fear ... of future tax increases. "At that point, they will know how to find us, loose Alessandro, 39, who cannot connect to his particular space. I get short-time working because I work in the restaurant industry. But all this public money spent, it will have to be found somewhere. "
Many doubt the maintenance of the current fiscal policy, despite the promises of the majority. "Did you see the debt? is indignant Odette when she thinks of her grandchildren. The figures don't lie, and what they are announcing is the return of fiscal bludgeoning! "