France to cut 11b euros in taxes next year: PM

[PARIS] France will cut taxes on businesses and individuals by roughly 11 billion euros (S$17.4 billion) next year, faster than the government had originally intended, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said.

The goal is to create incentives for investment, hiring and economic growth, Philippe told Les Echos daily in an interview published on its website late Tuesday.

President Emmanuel Macron has promised to put France's financial house in order, with plans to cut taxes by a total of 20 billion euros over his five-year term.

At the weekend, Mr Philippe had indicated tax cuts of around 7 billion euros for next year.

"But last week, with the president, we decided to accelerate the rhythm in order to get the most economic impact from this strategy," he told Les Echos.

Key measures will include eliminating a local residence tax for 80 per cent of French households and reductions in wealth taxes, while corporate taxes will eventually be dropped to 25 per cent by 2022.

Mr Philippe said the government was counting on economic growth of 1.6 per cent this year and 1.7 per cent in the following 12 months.

Spending cuts will also help offset the hefty tax cuts, expected to represent 0.6 per cent of France's gross domestic product (GDP).

But Philippe reiterated the government's pledge to bring the French budget deficit to below 3.0 per cent of economic output, in line with EU budget rules.

"We have told parliament that we are aiming for a deficit of 2.7 per cent of GDP next year. But I'm not going to be obsessed with a number: My political goal is to be under 3 per cent, thanks to restored confidence."

AFP