It is an unusual letter that Bercy received last December. No, no complaint letter, but a check. More specifically, a donation of 45 euros, intended to contribute to the reimbursement of the public debt. A droplet in the ocean of 3,300 billion euros that France must today, Or 50,000 euros per inhabitant.
“”Does the Ministry of the Economy have the right to accept? Well yes! ” Details the Instagram account Viepubliquefr, a reference site on public policies news. LMay 26 decreepublished in the Official Journal on June 19, confirms that “is accepted the donation of a sum of money in the amount of forty-five euros, made by check dated December 13, 2024, granted to the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty by Mr. Stéphane Chamaillard». Contacted by Capital, The Directorate General of Public Finances (DGFIP) explains that the publication of such a decree is compulsory each time a donation is made to the State.
Donations to the State are “rare” but exist
This is not the first time that citizens have decided, in addition to their taxes, to participate in the budgetary effort. In 2021, A generous donor had sent a check… 40,000 euros. Olivier Dussopt, then Minister of Public Accounts, had thanked the benefactor, greeting a gesture “rare”. More recently, last November, Bruno Alessi sent the State a first check for 150 euros. It was on the LinkedIn social network that the taxpayer explained his approach. Since this first gift, “I pay a little every month (50 euros) Because, if our country was a ship, I think we could agree that this ship would have a small waterway ”he explains.
To simplify procedures and reduce administrative costs, the tax administration has even proposed to Bruno Alessi “to set up periodic transfers». To go even further, he even “asking the administration the possibility of paying the debt directly on the tax site.gouv». A measure always under study. As a reminder, making a donation to the State has been authorized since 2006. Article L1121-1 of the General Property Code for public persons gives individuals to give the State directly in the form of donations or legacies.
However, be careful. If you plan to donate to the state, bad news for you. This type of donation does not open up to any tax advantage. “Even if the State is by nature an organization of general interest, the general tax code (article 200) limits tax reductions to donations paid to specific non -profit or recognized structures of public utility”, raises the DGFIP.
