is the state getting richer on fuels thanks to the rise in the price of oil?

Fuel taxes would allow the state to enrich itself with rising oil prices. “Always 60% state taxes on fuel. How to bail out the coffers on the backs of the French”, protested a user on Twitter. For her part, the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, assures that the State does not earn money on fuel taxes. In France, three taxes relate to fuel and only one increases with the price of oil, VAT at 20%. Thus, the more the price of the barrel increases, the more the revenues of the State are important.

“The state earns a little bit (…) the state helps the consumer since part of the price of gasoline is paid for by the public authorities”, explains Jacques Percebois, professor emeritus at the University of Montpellier (Hérault) and energy specialist. When the fuel is more than two euros per litre, the State earns 7 centimes more per liter with VAT. But since the 1^er April, the state offers a rebate of 18 cents per liter to consumers. With this discount, he therefore no longer earns money on fuel-related taxes.