Yet another tax gets added... in France

Soundguy · #1 (**permalink**) 3rd July 2006, 10:54 PM

Quote: "Passengers boarding planes in France are now paying a new tax on their tickets to help the world's poor, after the measure came into effect on the weekend. The tax.... adds a surcharge of between one and 40 euros (1.25 and 50 dollars) depending on the destination and class of seat."

http://www.breitbart.com/news/na/060....1lh2ue8o.html

Mal · #2 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 01:33 AM

Great!

Donations to charitable causes should be directly given by the donor, not forced on them by a 3rd party.

I have the same gripe against hotel chains and their $1US / Day "donation" to their charity of choice.

(Oh, and in case anyone thinks I don't donate to charities, you are horribly mistaken. This forum is not the place to discuss this however).

Kiwi Flyer · #3 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 04:21 AM

Another reason not to use Air France for getting around europe.

Dave Noble · #4 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

Another reason not to use Air France for getting around europe.

Why? The tax is for flying out of France , not for flying on AF

Dave

Kiwi Flyer · #5 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Noble

Why? The tax is for flying out of France , not for flying on AF

Dave

Because most times in Europe I have to connect. I have a choice of hubs to connect in. If I'm going to be fined for connecting in CDG then I can easily choose to connect elsewhere. (Same thing potentially with LHR baggage changes.)

Dave Noble · #6 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

Because most times in Europe I have to connect. I have a choice of hubs to connect in. If I'm going to be fined for connecting in CDG then I can easily choose to connect elsewhere. (Same thing potentially with LHR baggage changes.)

That is fair enough, but you referred to avoiding Air France, not to avoiding France. I couldn't see the rationale to avoiding AF as a carrier

Dave

Kiwi Flyer · #7 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 04:58 AM

Sorry for not being clearer.

Wonder if flights from BSL/MLH would get the fine? (For those not aware Basel/Mulhouse airport straddles the border of France and Switzerland, and very near the German border also.)

Mal · #8 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 07:50 AM

At least they have a reasonable "in transit" examption:

" Passengers who make a stopover in France of less than 12 hours, or who stay longer because of delays, are exempt."

Although, I wonder how many TA's / Airlines would automatically not add it for a stopover vs adding it.

NM · #9 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 09:36 AM

I wonder if you can claim this donation as a tax deduction? Most of my charitable donations are tax deductible, allowing me to be more generous (i.e. the government is effectively donating almost half of the amount). But somehow I can't see the ATO permitting such a claim for an expense imposed by the French.

Kiwi Flyer · #10 (**permalink**) 4th July 2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NM

I wonder if you can claim this donation as a tax deduction? Most of my charitable donations are tax deductible, allowing me to be more generous (i.e. the government is effectively donating almost half of the amount). But somehow I can't see the ATO permitting such a claim for an expense imposed by the French.

Are you a French taxpayer?