Taxes on Olympic Gifts: French Minister Proposes Exemption
Published: August 8, 2024, 6:07 PM
Emmanuel Macron has instructed the government to exempt Olympic medalists from taxes on their awards, sparking a heated debate in France. While the measure has been met with favor by athletes and some politicians, others criticize the potential cost to the treasury.
“When we have such different results, medals that are exclusive, which are rewards for years of work, years of effort and which are French pride, these bonuses should not be taxed,” Bruno Le Maire, the economy minister, stated in an interview. He plans to propose the exemption in the 2025 budget.
This measure would benefit athletes who have already secured medals, including those competing in the final on Friday. Notably, this exemption is not limited to those with guaranteed gold.
The debate surrounding the taxation of Olympic gifts has been ongoing since 2011, with athletes and politicians periodically calling for an exemption. Similar controversies arose during the 2016 and 2018 Games, with measures eventually implemented to address the issue. However, the debate continued in Tokyo, with Macron increasing the value of fan gifts to cover the cost of medal tax.
Frequent Debates and Political Posturing
The issue reignited this week when David Douillet, a double Olympic judo champion, criticized the tax on medal bonuses, calling it a “scam.” This sparked further reactions, with MP Olivier Marleix proposing a bill to formally exempt medalists from taxation.
Despite the ongoing debate, the final decision on the exemption rests with the next government, likely in the 2025 budget.