VAT of self-employed entrepreneurs: this sector which requires the immediate application of the controversial measurement

While self-employed entrepreneurs are campaigning for an abandonment of the decrease at 25,000 euros in the VAT exemption threshold, a sector of activity wishes on the contrary that this measure, provided for by the finance law for 2025, comes into force immediately.

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The countdown is launched. Faced with the rumble of self-employed entrepreneurs, the government has suspended, until June 1, thelowering the value added tax exemption ceiling (VAT) at 25,000 euros for all the self -employed, instead of 37,500 or 85,000 euros currently, depending on the activity sectors. A lowering initially scheduled for March 1 by the finance law for 2025 and which would cost entrepreneurs. But, while the National Federation of Self-Entrepreneurs, among others, militates in favor of a abandonment pure and simple of this measure, one sector wishes on the contrary that it comes into force “immediately”.

What is this sector? This is the building, at the origin of a discreet amendment to the finance bill for 2025 which lowered the VAT exemption threshold. “The non-application of this measure, voted democratically, would be a scandal”warns Olivier Salleron, president of the French Building Federation (FFB), this Tuesday, March 11, during his quarterly economic point.

Why does the building argue for the lowering of the VAT exemption threshold? “The sector is particularly affected by the development of micro-enterprises, which are often proven to be a source of unfair competition due to the absence of an obligation to collect VAT, gradual eviction of wage workers for their benefit, the precariousness of workers due to lower social protection, and rules of health, safety and construction of lower housing” that in larger building companies argues the FFB. A position shared by the CAPEB, which represents building crafts.

Why this fight now? While after two and a half years of real estate crisis, a recovery seems to begin, “You have to make sure that nothing is improving this improvementexplains Olivier Salleron. The extension of the discussions (between the government and the self-employed) forces the craft companies of the building to continue to face distortions of competition which weaken them even more. The unfair competition of micro-enterprises, which benefit from a VAT franchise allowing them to display lower prices, is no longer tenable ”. It is true that the building activity dropped 5.5% in 2024, according to the figures unveiled this Tuesday by the FFB, a “Important recession” which led to the loss of 30,000 positions.

What reaction of the construction industry against the discontent of self-employed entrepreneurs? “We are dealt with all names, so much so that we have limited our communications on social networks”regrets Olivier Salleron, who however ensures “Understand the distress of many” self-employed. “But we work for our sector”, he defends himself.