French Tax Crackdown Hoax: Viral TikTok Video Sparks Outrage Over Fake Travel Surveillance

In this video, which has already recorded 1.2 million views and would be relayed by BFMTV, France Info and Le Parisien, it is indicated that from September onwards, any traveler outside the EU will be subject to a tax audit as part of a procedure called "automatic travel verification system". The people most targeted would be those who "hide cash in Dubai or Morocco," it is specified.

Thus, income and bank accounts will be thoroughly examined and analyzed in relation to the lifestyle of the persons concerned. In case of inconsistencies, the "suspects" would then be summoned to explain themselves. If they do not respond to this summons, they would be exposed to a 10,000 euro fine accompanied by an immediate tax adjustment, or even a suspension of their family allowances and unemployment benefits. Furthermore, the non-EU traveler who would not be able to justify any expense of 5,000 euros would be registered as a "high-risk taxpayer" for a period of five years.

This publication has generated a flood of comments. "Welcome to the new North Korea," "Poor France, people can no longer live, it’s abusive," "Strange, they don’t do that for billionaires," "We need a revolution to overthrow this liberticide government," "This is a major violation of privacy," "Here, you have exceeded the limits and the red line of citizens, the government is going crazy," can be read among other reactions.

But in the end, the information is not verified. According to 20minutes, the French government has not announced such a measure, which is not enshrined in a law or decree, and neither BFMTV, France Info, nor Le Parisien have relayed this information. The media points out the obvious: the Ministry of the Interior cannot be the bearer of this measure, while tax audits fall under the responsibility of the Directorate General of Public Finance (DGFIP) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.