“A signal for France which works. A signal of encouragement for those who work hard in this country.” This is how the deputy for Haute-Loire Laurent Wauquiez defended, Saturday October 25, the amendment to the finance bill (PLF) for 2026 carried by his Republican Right group as well as that tabled by his colleague Fabien di Filippo (Moselle). Two identical measures which require tax fully overtime hours worked from October 1, 2025, and which were adopted by elected officials in the National Assembly (183 votes for, 159 against).
Recalling his opposition to any tax increase within the framework of the 2026 budget and that the improvement in the situation of public finances required a reduction in spending, the president of the Republican Right repeated his desire “that working France be recognized in this country”. A recognition which, according to him, involves the removal of the overtime exemption ceiling, currently 7,500 euros. An objective shared by Fabien di Filippo, the latter explaining that many citizens “regret the days of “work more to earn more””in reference to Nicolas Sarkozy’s slogan for the 2007 presidential campaign.
1,900 euros in overtime on average for workers
The total tax exemption of overtimeif it received the support of the general rapporteur of the finance committee, Philippe Juvin (Republican Right) considering that the two amendments tabled by his political family “have a very simple effect on the middle classes: they increase purchasing power”was received more coldly in the ranks of the left, just as by Amélie de Montchalin. “The ceiling of 7,500 euros represents 500 hours at the improved minimum wagequantified the Minister of Public Accounts in the Chamber. Today, on average, the 40% of workers who benefit from overtime have overtime which represents 1,900 euros (2,000 euros for workers, managers 3,300 euros)”continued the tenant of Bercy.
In other words, according to Amélie de Montchalin, the only people who could benefit from a total exemption from overtime “are the senior executives and executives and above”. A boost to well-off employees, therefore, which would have a certain cost for public finances which the Minister of Public Accounts put at one billion euros.
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