Since March 2026, businesses and professionals can no longer pay their taxes by check. But what about individuals? According to the government website, payment by check remains possible, in the limit of 300 euros. “ In practice, there is no penalty if a person pays their income tax by checknuance Ludovic Ploton, national secretary of Solidaires Finances Publiques. Especially since this concerns very few people and possibly a balance to pay to the extent that there is withholding tax “.
If the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP) wishes to reduce the use of checks, it is not without reason. In 2024, check payments represented only 5% of transactions received by the tax administration, which accounted for 30% of the total cost of processing payments. A paradox which is partly explained by a reverse mass effect: the less the check is used, the more its unit processing cost increases. To date, there is no no date set by law to permanently prohibit payment by check to individuals — whether for taxes, local bills or fines. The check therefore remains, for the moment, a legal option.
What alternatives to the checkbook?
What are the other payment methods? THE recurring collectiont for tax deadlines (for example: payment of property tax) and the online payment by PayFiP (direct debit, transfer or bank card). Modern solutions are also starting to emerge, such as payment via Werowhich demonstrates a desire to offer options adapted to contemporary uses. Behind these developments there are also logistical realities. There is talk of the closure of the check processing center, located in Rennes, by the end of June 2027, as well as the termination of the service provider’s contract.
“ The fact remains that certain categories of the population will continue to use checks, sometimes out of habit, sometimes out of necessity.alerts Ludovic Ploton. For them, the check has a decisive advantage: it isone of the only guaranteed free payment methodswith no bank fees or special equipment required ». Brutally forcing the transition would risk excluding users who are uncomfortable with digital technology. Following an implacable economic logic, check stubs will gradually disappear tax notices.
