French Wealth Tax Shortfall Fuels Debate Amid California ‘Billionaire Tax’ Proposal 

California voters will consider a November 2026 ballot measure to impose a one-time 5 percent tax on residents worth more than $1.1 billion.
French Wealth Tax Shortfall Fuels Debate Amid California ‘Billionaire Tax’ Proposal 
President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 24, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP
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France’s tax on top earners, introduced in 2025, is projected to raise far less than initially forecast, underscoring how difficult it can be for governments to extract more revenue from the wealthy once taxpayers have time to adjust.

Implementation timing, tax-base definition, legal constraints, and taxpayer behavior play a decisive role in whether such policies deliver on their revenue promises.

Evgenia Filimianova
Evgenia Filimianova
Author
Evgenia Filimianova is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of international stories, with a particular interest in foreign policy, economy, and UK politics.