The explosive report accusing France of suffocating its businesses with taxes

France collected 424.5 billion euros in taxes and social contributions from businesses in 2025. The figure sits at the center of a Senate report examining whether the country’s tax burden is weakening companies rather than strengthening the economy.

The report recommends eliminating production taxes and the surcharge on corporate income tax. Its authors sought to assess what mandatory levies cost businesses in competitiveness and investment, and how much they weigh on wage increases.

The debate turns on a difficult question: how much can France take from the companies that generate its wealth before the burden begins to undermine the economy? The issue has repeatedly sparked controversy, and a Senate mission presented its conclusions publicly on Thursday.

The subject was raised by the Les Indépendants-République et Territoires group. It has gained added prominence as sluggish growth and record public debt have pushed the economy and public finances to the forefront of the presidential campaign.