Connaitre ses droits

How to give to finance the public debt

Written by Administrator Thursday, 18 August 2011 06:04

In the U.S., just a credit card number and an Internet connection to help the federal government to reduce debt. In France, we need a ministerial order.

U.S. citizens, French, Greek or British can make donations to fight the Hydra of debt. But patriotism is not always facilitated by regulation, particularly in France.

Provide for the debt, it's easy in the U.S.: the Treasury on its website accepts debit cards and bank transfers. Simply connect to Pay.gov, then go to the page of TreasuryDirect, and to make a payment online. The amount is at the discretion of generous citizens. In total, the U.S. government has received more than $ 3 million donation in 2009. However, to compare with the total amount of U.S. debt, or 12,948,739 million at the end of April.

The UK does not offer simple solution, but accepts payments since 1823, including cash. Past nine years, the subjects of the Crown donated 1.8 million pounds, according to the Treasury. The generosity of the British is very changeable. While 1.8 million books were donated in 2007-2008, only 180 books were donated in 2008-2009.

"Such variations are not due to the crisis, but the importance of individual donations: the number of donations is low, most people transferring small amounts," with exceptions, says a spokesman for the British Treasury.

Greece, for its part created an "account of solidarity for the repayment of debt," on March 5. The singer Nana Mouskouri, who said to his pension of MEP to his country, should be among the first to pay his penny.

"Donations for the state" in France to reduce debt is like an obstacle course. The "gift in repayment of public debt" is indeed based on the mechanism of "liberality in favor of the State" (art. L 1121-1 of the General Code of ownership of public entities), says it at Bercy. There are no statistics on the amount of donations.

The French must first go to his lawyer and prepare a legal act with. The act is then sent to the appropriate department, namely the budget. After the express acceptance of the relevant administrative services, will be issued a ministerial decree to mean that the gift is accepted. Finally, a supplemental indenture will be set, signed by the donor and the department's representative, which will be recorded in the annals.

No tax exemption Despite the exemplary nature of the process and the administrative labyrinth, the "gift of public debt" can not receive a tax cut for "donations to the works." It does not give rise either to a reduction in wealth tax in respect of money paid to an organization of general interest. From there to the conclusion that the IRS does not consider the reduction of public debt as a good deed, or the state as a body of general interest ...

Source Le Figaro

To reduce public debt, citizens can donate money to the state. But the state does not know.

Early Music switchboard of the Ministry of Economy and Finance finally stops. A woman's voice.

"Hello?

- Hello! This is to make a donation to the state. I want to know where to go?

- What kind of gift?

- Money. I would like to donate money. "

The switchboard is silent, I had expected. She whispers something to her colleague.

"Why you want to do that?

- To reduce the public debt.

- But ... "

Finally, she said nothing. After the music on hold, she asks me what "I want to reduce." I repeat "debt". She asks me to wait. Another voice:

"Hello! You want to make a donation to the state?

- Yes.

- In this case, you should contact your tax office. I'll give you the numbers. You will see them.

- Very well, thank you.

- If you want more information, tax inspectors can help explain the Bercy in 08 10 46 76 87. "

"You want to give a lot? "

The first two numbers are those of mail indicating the deadlines for tax returns. In the center of information, "Tax Service," they reply.

"Hello! I would like to donate to the state. "

Another pause. Long enough.

"Hello?

- The State is not entitled to receive donations. You can make donations to organizations in the public interest. Or no addition, but donations are deductible only to public agencies. "

I feel that the other side, he is annoyed. I explain:

"I want to give money to the state ...

- I tell you it is not possible. "

Silence.

"You want to give a lot?

- I do not know.

- In any case, it is not possible. "

He did not seem to want to continue the conversation but I insist.

"I read that it was.

- No! "

United States, it is

He hung up. I remember. It's the same voice. I say that has been cut and I suspect hung up on me. It's angry.

"It's not my style. You really think it's my gender?

- I do not know.

- It's not my style.

- Good. And for gifts?

- But I tell you that it is not possible ...

- I'm sure it does. I just want to know what steps to take. I read called it the "gift of the debt" is the article ... "

He sighs really hard and then puts me on hold. The article exists. It is found in the general code of ownership of public entities.

There is no trace of this article other than in Le Figaro dated 28 May 2010 and a dozen people contacted for this subject (top officials, historians, lawyers ...), did not know.

The idea is not extravagant, however: the U.S. or the UK, citizens have the opportunity to pay money to the state to pay off the debt. So clearly more symbolic than useful.

"It's not released because it's very complicated"

"Yes? "

I tell myself that this time, my partner will be informed. I think so still at Bercy, the article is known. I explain again:

"I want to donate to the state.

- A donation to the state? And for what reason?

- To reduce the debt.

- It is not possible in France.

- If, as the United States ...

- It is not the United States.

- Look, I think so. There's this article on "gift redemption of public debt." "

He looks surprised. He says he will check. A few minutes later:

"Madame?

- Ah! You found?

- Yes. It is not broadcast because it is very complicated. People who want to have to go to the notary and establish a legal act with. The act is then sent to the appropriate department, namely the budget. After the express acceptance of the relevant administrative services, will be issued a ministerial decree to mean that the gift is accepted. "

It reads exactly the same phrases as the article in Le Figaro.

"But why is it so complicated?

- It is not in the classic features of the gift. Here there is no tax exemption. The state is not a public benefit organization. So the first step, the notary.

- There is a minimum?

- No, it is not specified. And it is the department that publishes the decree that will credence to the deed of gift. That's it. Goodbye. "

While the United States, citizens can reduce public debt to PayPal government in France, not only it was not until the publication of a ministerial order, but no one knows it exists.

A former budget minister, who considers the interesting tool, also unaware of its existence. But who gives money to the state? Why this article is he? If all the French were paying money, we could effectively reduce the public debt? Are Americans less stingy than the French?

source Rue89

Subsection 1: donations and bequests to the state.

Art. L1121-1. Subject to the provisions of Article L. 1121-3, donations and bequests made to the State are accepted, on behalf of the competent authority in the manner and conditions fixed by decree in Conseil d'Etat.

Subsection 2: gifts and bequests to public institutions of the state.

Art. L1121-2. Public institutions of the state and refuse to accept free gifts and bequests made to them without charges, conditions or trust estate.

When such gifts or bequests are encumbered, conditions or trust estate, the acceptance or refusal is authorized by order of the minister or ministers of guardianship of the public institution.

Subsection 3: Provisions common to the state and its public.

Art. L1121-3. In all cases where gifts and bequests give rise to claims of legal heirs, to accept the authority is given by decree in Conseil d'Etat