Subscriptions to the Internet soon taxed?
The question of the TV tax for Internet users is coming back in the discussions of the French Parliament. A member proposed an amendment to the audiovisual law, actually debated in the Parliament, which would submit to the fee all persons without TV but with an Internet subscription including “TV service”. The aim for the state is additional revenue of 50 million €.
Even if it’s a portable TV, the owner has to pay the fee (art 1605 French Code general des impôts), but a Laptop owner is exonerated, even if he/she has access to TV programs. In fact the Laptop not considered as a receiver.
The TV tax represents the three quarters of broadcasting public resources. Its amount is changing depending on consumer prices. So the fee should pass from 116€ to 118€ in 2009 and to 120€ in 2010.
April 2009
