2023-08-01 07:59:47
This new month is accompanied by many changes in the daily life of the French. Le Figaro takes stock.
End of sales
It’s the end of extensions for bargain hunters. The summer sales, which began on June 28, will end on August 1, a date already postponed twice by the government. This was an exceptional measure put in place to support traders who suffered damage linked to the recent riots during this crucial period of sales. The government had made strict provisions to guarantee the fairness of the sales. Thus, the products on sale had to be offered for sale for at least one month before the launch of the commercial operation. This extension of the summer sales was a welcome move for consumers and for traders who had called for the measure, bringing both bargains and essential support to those affected by the unrest.
10% increase in electricity prices
Following announcements from the Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of Energy Transition, the French will have to face a 10% increase in electricity prices from August 1, 2023. This increase will concern both households than small businesses. Prior to this increase, the price shield covered approximately 43% of household electricity expenditure; with the new increase, it will continue to cover consumers’ energy expenses by covering approximately 37% of their bill. The price hike is the first step in a gradual exit from the tariff shield, which should end by early 2025, in order to reduce public spending.
The end of receipts
From August 1st, France puts an end to the systematic printing of receipts within the framework of the AGEC law. Each year, approximately 12.5 billion tickets are printed in France, representing 150,000 tonnes of paper, 25 million trees cut down and 18 billion liters of water according to ADEME (French Environment and energy control). This measure therefore aims to reduce the waste of paper, but also of ink and endocrine disruptors.
The receipt will not disappear, however, since consumers will still be able to request a receipt if they wish. Certain exceptions are also provided for, in particular for so-called durable goods such as household appliances, computer equipment, consumer electronic products, where information on the guarantee of conformity is necessary.
Purchases of services, such as at the hairdresser or the garage, will also require the request for a ticket when the price is equal to or greater than 25 euros. Finally, the machines will continue to issue tickets for tolls or car parks.
On the other hand, consumers will still have to apply to receive a blue card ticket, even in exceptional cases. The measure therefore leaves some flexibility to consumers.
Change on savings products
In terms of savings, the yield on the Livret A will remain unchanged at 3% in August. This measure, announced with great fanfare by the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire on July 13, will be in force until January 31, 2025. To justify the blocking of the remuneration of the favorite savings product of the French, Bruno Le Maire has explained that higher rates would lead to more expensive loans for individuals and SMEs. This measure therefore aims to maintain financial stability while ensuring a certain profitability for savers. The Sustainable and Solidarity Development Booklet (LDDS), indexed to the interest rate of the booklet A, will also be blocked for 18 months.
The People’s Savings Account (LEP), currently at 6.1%, will drop to 6% from August 1, protecting it from a slowdown in inflation which was to bring it down to 5.6%.
Read alsoBooklet A: why the government gave up raising the rate to 4%
Payment of the Back to School Allowance (ARS)
The French can prepare to receive the Back to School Allowance (ARS) from August 1, 2023, this essential aid makes it possible to meet the expenses related to the start of the school year. Crucial support for some families, it concerns parents with children aged 6 to 18, enrolled in a public or private school, learning or cared for in a specialized establishment. Its amount was also increased in April 2023 to counter inflation.
Applications can be made from August 1, but they require fulfilling a number of conditions. To be eligible, the household’s resources must not exceed certain ceilings ranging from €25,775 for 1 child to €43,619 for 4 dependent children, with a supplement of €5,948 for each additional child. For the start of the 2023 school year, the amounts of the ARS will be:
398.09 euros for children from 6 to 10 years old, 420.05 euros for children from 11 to 14 years old, 434.61 euros for children from 15 to 18 years old.
If the child is between 6 and 15 years old, the ARS is paid automatically if you are a beneficiary of the Family Allowance Fund. For other cases, some administrative procedures are necessary. Note that the conditions are different for Mayotte.
Declaration of real estate
Last call for all property owners! The deadline for declaring their assets on the tax website is July 31. Initially set for June 30, it had been postponed by the Ministry of the Economy “given the influx of declarations“. The new obligation surprised – and still surprises – some owners, because the process is separate from the tax return.
Since January 1, 2023, a new reporting obligation concerning real estate for residential use has been introduced, in accordance with the finance law for 2020. Despite the abolition of the housing tax for main residences from 2023, the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP) asks all owners of a main or secondary residence or rented accommodation to submit an additional declaration to the tax authorities. The objective is to determine precisely the owners who still have to pay the housing tax for second homes or the tax on vacant housing. The Service-Publics site provides all the essential information you need to know.
#Electricity #rates #receipts #declaration #real #estate.. #August #1st