Homes with no TV may pay TV licence

Making all homes pay would end loophole that allows smartphone and computer users to watch shows without paying the tax

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A SENATOR is pushing for the TV licence to be extended to all homes - even those without a set.

Senator Jean-Pierre Leleux said he wants to see the tax, which funds public broadcasting, paid by all homes.

Around 97.3% of homes have a television, and the €136 tax (from next year) raises roughly €3.4 billion a year.

Extending it to all homes would net an extra €110 million for the government and would also close a loophole that excludes many devices that can display TV shows, such as tablets, computers and smartphones, from paying the tax.

It is currently possible to opt-out of paying the TV licence by marking on your income tax form that you do not have one.

This opens up the possibility that officials could visit your home to check, but with the cost and benefit being so low, such visits are unlikely.

Plans to extend the remit of the TV licence to smartphones and computers have been discussed and fallen through before.

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