Senator wants to tax computer TV

PEOPLE who have computers or iPads capable of receiving television programmes may have to pay the TV licence fee next year.

The Senate’s finance spokesman, Philippe Marini, has said that he is pushing for an amendment to next year’s budget law making more people pay the fee, which is payable along with the taxe d’habitation bill. The law is being examined today by the Senate’s Finance Commission, which Mr Marini heads.

Under current rules, the contribution à l’audiovisuel public (TV licence fee) is payable only by people who own a television. However Mr Marini told Le Figaro: “We have to take account of changes in the way people use the media. Today people do not only watch television on traditional TV sets.”

Mr Marini said he would also be pressing to end the rule that each taxpayer should only pay the tax once, no matter how many homes they own. There should be one payment per home equipped with a television, he said.

The proposed changes are in the context of the government’s drive to cut public debt.

Photo: © Tomasz Trojanowski - Fotolia.com