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KEY POINTS INCLUDE INHERITANCE TAX PAYMENTS AND PRICES RISES TO SOME EVERYDAY SERVICES ELECTRICITY PRICE HIKE Electricity bills for most people in France will rise by 9.8% (or 8.6% for those

on regulated tariffs). Estimates are that 97% of people in France have one of these two tariffs. The changes are due to the return of a certain tax on electricity (the _Taxe intérieure de

consommation finale sur l’électricité_, or TICFE). READ MORE: SEE: MOST FRENCH ELECTRICITY BILLS TO RISE BY 9.8% IN FEBRUARY MOTORWAY TOLLS TO GO UP _Péage_ (motorway tolls) across France

are set to rise on February 1. Overall they are rising by 2.93%, however in practice each motorway company is rising their prices by a separate amount, which you can find below: * Vinci:

2.70% * Sanef: 2.79% * SAPN: 3.08% * APRR: 3.02% * Area: 3.04% * Millau Viaduct: 5.83% PENSION INCREASES French pensions will go up by an average of 5.3% in February, with money at this new

rate beginning to arrive in bank accounts from February 9. Other pension-style payments also set to rise by 5.3% include: * _La pension de réversion_ * _L’allocation de solidarité aux

personnes âgées (Aspa) (_France’s pension top-up benefit you can read more about HERE_)_ * _L’allocation veuvage_ * _L’allocation de solidarité aux vieux travailleurs salariés_ * _Du secours

viager_ * _L’allocation aux mères de famille_ RULES FOR SOME BENEFITS CHANGE Recipients of the revenu de solidarité active (RSA) and prime d’activite benefits will now need to declare the

montant net social figure, found at the bottom of payslips, to receive the payments. This figure is calculated by the employer and takes into account the deductions made for social security

and other charges. Previously, recipients had to calculate this figure themselves. RSA is a government aid aimed at unemployed and underemployed people to encourage them to find work or

increased income. > #MontantNetSocial | Depuis janvier 2024 le montant net social est > affiché sur tous les bulletins de paie et apparaitra sur les > relevés de prestations courant

 2024. Dès le 1er février, il doit > être utilisé pour les démarches afin de bénéficier de la Prime > d’activité et du RSA ⤵️ > — Ministère des Solidarités (@Solidarite_gouv) 

January 18, 2024 SAVINGS ACCOUNT INTEREST RATES DROP The interest rate for the state-regulated LEP (_livret d’épargne populaire_) savings accounts, for those with a lower income, will see

interest levels drop from 6% to 5% in February. The ability to open one of these accounts is tied to your household income (_revenu fiscal de référence_). For a single person in 2024, this

is €22,419 (based on 2022 income). Other state-regulated (and tax-free) savings accounts such as the Livret A and _Livret de Développement Durable_ will see their interest rates remain at

3%. READ MORE: LIVRET A SAVINGS: WHY ARE THEY SO POPULAR? HOW DO I OPEN AN ACCOUNT? SIMPLIFIED CREDIT PAYMENTS FOR INHERITANCE TAX People who have difficulty paying tax due on an inheritance

can now benefit from a simplified payment credit system that allows them to split or defer paying the tax. New rules coming into force on February 1 mean inheritors will be able to request

this credit and receive a response within two months - previously, this took four months. They then have four – instead of two – months to put together a _dossier de garanties _showing how

the tax will be paid. The period to offer additional guarantees (if needed) after receiving the inheritance has also been increased from one month to two. Interest is due on the payment,

however, which last year was at 1.7% (2024's rates have not yet been announced). CLEARER RULES FOR ONLINE MARKETPLACES The European Digital Service Act, which comes into force on

February 17, sees tighter regulations for online marketplaces. It includes websites needing to state terms and conditions clearly, clarify their moderation rules, take action against illegal

content and refrain from using targeted advertising. In the background, clearer rules on how these websites can use algorithms (for advertising, etc) will also begin on the same date.

CIGARETTE PRICE INCREASE Some tobacco products will see price increases from February 1, including Dunhill cigarettes, that will increase to €12.50 per packet. The cost of some brands of

rolling tobacco, cigars, and cigarillos will increase, by between €0.10 and €1 per packet. A full list of all products affected can be found HERE. RELATED ARTICLES PANCAKES, FRENCH SCHOOL

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