CFDT union proposes inheritance tax reform in France

Marylise Léon, the general secretary of the CFDT, has advocated for a reform of inheritance taxation in France, proposing that taxes be applied to inheritances ‘from the first euro’. Describing the measure as an initiative for ‘social justice’, Léon expressed her intention to discuss this proposal with presidential candidates early next year, though she noted an exception for Marine Le Pen.

Currently, a significant portion of French successions are not subject to taxation. Former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire previously noted that approximately two-thirds of successions escape inheritance tax, affecting only a small fraction of the population. Data from the Council of Economic Analysis indicates that the top 1% of heirs receive an average of more than 4.2 million euros net, while the top 0.1% receive approximately 13 million euros.

The issue of inheritance taxation is already part of the political landscape, with candidate Raphaël Glucksmann proposing the creation of a ‘tax on large inheritances’ as part of his platform.