Posted on Dec. 2021 at 7:30Updated Dec. 2021 at 9:16
The month of January 2022 is accompanied by its share of novelties. From the revaluation of the minimum wage to the increase in the price of the stamp, via a new 2 euro coin or free contraception for those under 25, several changes are on the agenda. Overview.
Purchasing power
First novelty for the new year: a revaluation of the minimum wage. Under the effect of inflation, the legal minimum wage will increase in January by 0.9%. It will drop from 10.48 to 10.57 euros gross per hour. It will reach 1,603 euros per month on the basis of 35 hours per week, or 14 euros more (1,269 euros net).
Retirement pensions will also be revalued, to the tune of 1.1%, below inflation. This revaluation will concern all basic pensions with the exception of those of lawyers. It will apply to pensions for retirees in the private sector, the civil service, special schemes and the self-employed.
The doubling of daily ceiling for meal vouchers when they are used in restaurants is further extended until February 28, 2022. It remains at 38 euros, instead of 19 previously.
Taxes
In order to take into account the effects of inflation, the income tax scale brackets will be revalued by 1.4%. The scale of the neutral rate (not personalized) for the withholding tax (PAS) will therefore also be revalued.
The gradual elimination of household housing tax the better-off will continue. In 2022, they will benefit from an exemption of 65% of their tax.
· Health
From the 1er January 2022, the full coverage of contraceptive costs, will concern all women up to the age of 25. Until now, this support only concerned minors. Some contraceptive devices are excluded, such as male and female condoms.
In January, the maximum duration of allocation of specific aid from the disability compensation service (PCH) will be increased to 10 years. Until now, they were subject to varying durations of 3.5 years to 10 years. In addition, when the handicap is not likely to improve, the PCH is granted without time limit.
Furthermore, the “remains at charge ” for emergency calls not followed by hospitalization will no longer be calculated on the basis of the “co-payment” of 20%, but on the basis of a new “emergency patient package” set at 19.61 euros and also reimbursed by complementary health insurance. The amount will be “reduced” to 8.51 euros for certain groups such as the chronically ill (ALD) and others will remain exempt, such as pregnant women.
· Culture
Cinema seats, exhibitions, musical instruments … The “Culture Pass” is extended to young people aged 15 to 17. In detail, young people aged 15 will receive a credit of 20 euros, while young people aged 16 and 17 will benefit from a credit of 30 euros.
Automotive
A new automobile penalty scale enters into force for new vehicles registered from January 1. It will apply from 128 grams of CO2 / km (instead of 133 grams of CO2 / km) with, for this level of pollution, a tax of 50 euros. It will then rise to reach 40,000 euros for a level above 223 grams of CO2 / km. The amount of the penalty may not exceed 50% of the vehicle price including tax. In addition, a new “weight penalty” will affect new vehicles weighing more than 1.8 tonnes, at a rate of 10 euros per kilogram.
· Consumption
The government is also tackling plastic. The packagesaround certain fruits and vegetables will be banned, like plastic toys offered in children’s menus or plastic packaging for newspaper delivery. Establishments open to the public will be required to allow theaccess to a drinking water point.
The legal guarantee of conformity for second-hand products is extended by 6 months. From now on, a lack of conformity appearing within 12 months on a second-hand product is presumed to exist at the time of purchase, unless proven otherwise.
Stores have an obligation to take back used furniture from their customers, empty or full dangerous products (paints, glues and cleaning products with hazardous substances) and combustible gas cartridges.
the “Triman” logo will be deployed on all products. Its presence means that the waste is subject to a sorting rule: return to the store for electrical and electronic equipment, specific terminals for batteries, yellow bin for packaging, etc. It must be accompanied by a clear sorting instruction.
Elimination of unsold non-food items is prohibited. This ban applies in particular to clothing, furniture or electronic products, etc. Hygiene and childcare products, developmental and leisure products, books and school supplies, food storage and cooking equipment are also concerned. Companies must now give away or recycle their unsold products.
Marketplaces are now made responsible. They must ensure that manufacturers finance the eco-organizations responsible for manage the end of life of their product categories. The client must be informed about greenhouse gas emissions linked to its internet and mobile consumption. Internet service providers and mobile operators must communicate to their subscribers the greenhouse gas emissions linked to their consumption.
· Real estate
The month of January 2022 is also marked by a series of measures on housing and buildings. One new public service, called France Renov ‘, is launched by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition. Its aim is to support households wishing carry out energy renovation work in their accommodation.
A new environmental regulations also comes into force. The “RE2020” replaces the current thermal regulation, the RT2012. It reinforces the requirements in terms of energy performance, summer comfort and introduces requirements relating to the carbon impact of construction.
Furthermore, the “Affordable Rent” scheme allows landlords to rent out their unfurnished homes at an affordable rent level with a tax advantage on rental income. The tenant’s resources must not exceed a certain threshold. The latter is defined in particular according to the composition of the household. The lease is for six or nine years.
Users can also choose to deposit by their building permit electronically and more broadly their request for planning permission. To support the municipalities, the State is deploying, with the associations of elected officials (AMF and AdCF), a digital program for the application of soil law.
From January, professional trustees must give to the co-owners an information sheet standardized on the price and the services they offer. The surety bond system is redefined. It redefines this as being “the contract by which a surety is bound to the obligee to pay the debt of the obligor in the event of default of this one”. The surety bond can also now be signed online.
Finally, from January 1, 2022, the conditions for granting real estate loans evolve. Thereby, a loan can no longer exceed 25 years. The borrower’s debt ratio cannot exceed 35% against 33% previously. It should also include the cost of borrower insurance.
· Various
Several other administrative changes come into effect this 1er December. On the occasion of the French Presidency of the European Council a new 2 euro coin will be put into circulation. The oak and the olive tree, symbols of strength and wisdom, will be inscribed on this new coin.
From 1er January it will be prohibited to castrate piglets without anesthesia in the name of animal welfare. Breeders will be able to continue to practice this operation provided that their buyers require it and if they comply with a specific protocol.
British residents must imperatively be in possession of a residence permit to be able to stay in France. The same goes for their families. The English who arrived in France before 2021 benefit from a special status.
In this new year, the price of the stamp will increase by 4.7% on average on January 1, 2022. In detail, the price of the green stamp goes from € 1.08 to € 1.16; and the price of the red stamp from € 1.28 to € 1.43.