Do I need to do anything if eligible for French TV licence refund?

Six million people in France are now eligible for a refund of their TV licence payments after the system was abolished by President Emmanuel Macron’s new government earlier this year.

The change to the redevance télé was introduced as part of the purchasing power law (loi sur le pouvoir d’achat), and will benefit 23 million households.

Previously, it was €138 per household per year in mainland France, if the home had a connected television on January 1 of the given year.

It was only paid once per household, regardless of the number of occupants or the number of TVs in use, and whether the home was a second home or a main residence.

Read more: MPs vote to formally end licence fee in France

Six million people are now eligible for a refund, depending on how and when they paid.

When will the refunds happen?

From September 6, 2022

Six million households are eligible for a refund from yesterday (September 6), if they no longer pay taxe d’habitation, and used to pay their TV licence monthly. This would mean that they have already paid for this year.

In October or November

For the 20% of people who paid monthly and still pay taxe d’habitation, the refund will be available later – either from the beginning of October or December, depending on whether you pay your taxe d’habitation on November 15 or December 15.

Read more: French taxe d’habitation: Who is fully exempt in 2022?

Read more: Who still has to pay the taxe d’habitation in France in 2022?

The finance ministry stated: “For taxpayers for whom there is still a part of the taxe d'habitation to pay, the remainder due will be deducted automatically according to the schedule indicated on your notice.”

How can I get a refund?

There are no steps to follow to get a refund, as they will be given automatically to those eligible.

“The refund will be made automatically by transfer to the bank account registered with the tax authorities, without any steps to be taken,” the finance ministry said.

The refund will show on your bank statement with the words “REMB. EXCD. IMPOT”, with the contract number mentioned. The payment will come from “DGFIP FINANCES PUBLIQUES”.

Of course, people whose payments were not made monthly and who have therefore not paid anything for the year 2022 will not receive any money back.

If you have any questions or want to know more, the Direction générale des finances publiques (DGFIP) has a helpline for taxpayers to call on 0 809 401 401. Lines are open Monday to Friday, from 08:30 to 19:00.

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