Self-employed professionals and small businesses in France “having started their activity no later than 2019,” will be able to apply for a spacing of taxes.

This is good news for small businesses affected by the crisis. The Ministry of the Economy confirmed on Monday, August 17 that they will be able to spread over a period of up to three years the payment of direct and indirect taxes due during the health crisis, through a system of “payment plans”.

“These plans are for 12, 24 or 36 months, calculated by the tax authorities according to the company’s fiscal and social debt. For plans with a duration of 12 months or fewer, the company does not have to provide any guarantees,” the Ministry states.

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The scheme covers “very small enterprises (VSEs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are particularly affected by the economic consequences,” of the current crisis.

Merchants, artisans and self-employed professionals “who started their activity no later than 2019” will also be eligible, “regardless of their status” and their tax and social security regime.

This also includes “freelancers, with no requirement regarding sector of activity or loss of turnover,” the Ministry said in its press release.

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In addition, the Delegate Minister for SMEs, Alain Griset, had ensured that the French economic recovery plan will allocate “much over three billion euros to SMEs and VSEs”, this figure unveiled by Bruno Le Maire being specifically reserved for companies wishing to “invest”.

“Of course, there will be much more for VSEs and SMEs, which account for 95% of the French economy,” he explained. At the same time, he acknowledged that he could not “fully quantify” the amount of the budget allocated.