Who are the “resisters” of the paper tax declaration?

Online declaration has been compulsory since 2019, in theory. In fact, more than 13% of taxpayers still declare on paper.

Only a few hours left to complete your tax return for those who still send it on paper. After 11:59 p.m., Monday May 20, the deadline will have passed. According to figures from the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFIP), last year this still concerned 13.4% of taxpayers compared to 14% in 2022.

The first reason for this resistance is the lack of equipment, as for Nicole, 89 years old. “I’m not interested, I’ve moved on, it’s over. I don’t want to get into it!”, says the almost nonagenarian. Same thing for another retiree from Ardèche, Noëlle, who doesn’t want to hear about screens or mice. “I can’t afford a computer and I would have to take lessonsthe retiree is indignant. No thanks ! I would rather learn to fly a plane. And then there’s no connection.”

Staying on paper for your taxes is also a question of security for Dany. She works in administration in the Paris suburbs and fears having her personal data hacked. “Hospitals are being hacked, big companies too… I tell myself that taxes will happen one day”she explains.

Philippe Hève is an executive in the Pimms association. He supports users in their process in the Paris suburbs and he does not really see any typical profiles among those who still prefer the paper version. “We can have people in their thirties who are digitally independent, but more on the smartphone than on the computer in fact,” he explains.

He also cites the problems of forgotten passwords which often discourage users. In theory, online declaration has been mandatory since 2019, except for households that are not connected to the internet.