According to Amélie Verdier, the director general of public finances in France, slightly more than 61,000 tax households in the country pay over 100,000 euros in income tax annually. These households fall into the highest tax bracket, which is taxed at a 45% rate. In total, there are approximately 41 million tax households in France, and nearly half of them—47.3%—pay income tax. On average, just over three out of every 1,000 tax households that pay income tax contribute more than 100,000 euros annually. This data is being released publicly for the first time in its original, unprocessed form. Verdier emphasized that France’s income tax system is structured to be progressive, meaning higher earners pay a larger share of their income in taxes. As a result, a relatively small portion of the population shoulders a significant portion of the income tax burden. It is important to note, however, that not paying income tax does not mean individuals are tax-free altogether. Other taxes, such as value-added tax (VAT) or fuel taxes, apply universally to all citizens, regardless of income level. The discussion around how tax burdens are distributed and how the wealthy are taxed has become a central topic in both political and economic debates. This conversation has intensified this fall, driven by several factors, including the upcoming state budget, which will outline how much each group of citizens will pay in taxes, and the pending vote on the 2027 finance bill. Additionally, the recent hacking of the French tax authority's website in the summer has raised concerns about the security and reliability of the tax administration, affecting public confidence in the system. In response to these concerns, Verdier acknowledged the need for greater transparency in how the administration presents its data. She emphasized that there is no hidden information, as the taxes collected are public funds used to support essential services in France. The director general stressed the importance of rebuilding trust with the public and ensuring that the process of collecting and managing taxes is clear and open to scrutiny.