The majority of the €1.6 million raised for the policeman who allegedly shot teenager Nahel M last month sparking country-wide riots is to be taken by the French state as tax, multiple media outlets have claimed.
Set up by controversial right-wing activist Jean Messiha, French media reports have suggested that the fundraiser will be subject to the country’s strict tax rules regarding gifts between people who are not close family members.
“Donations between third parties are subject to transfer duties of 60 per cent, with exceptions, such as associations authorised to receive donations, for example,” one tax lawyer explained to French business news outlet Challenges.
If true, that will mean the French state will be owed a total of €981,720.
A further €68,604, meanwhile, will be deducted in fees by GoFundMe – the American online platform the cash for the policeman was raised through.
It also appears likely that a similar fundraiser set up for the family of Nahel, 17, may also be subject to France’s tax rules, as well as charges from French GoFundMe alternative Leetchi.
But, speaking to Brussels Signal, a representative of the French Ministry for the Economy cast doubt on the media claims, arguing that funds donated through the likes of GoFundMe might be seen in the eyes of the law as “customary presents” and thus not be subject to tax.
The representative added that there were no “predefined normative criteria” on which such cases could be judged regarding whether or not they are subject to tax, adding that it would ultimately be up to the French courts to decide.
Doubts also remain as to whether the accused officer and his family will receive what remains of the funds after the government tax-take.
Nahel’s family have launched a legal case against Messiha, the activist behind the donation drive, accusing him of acting in an illegal manner.
“A complaint was filed today for organised fraud, misappropriation of personal data processing and concealment of these offences against [the fund’s organiser] Jean Messiha,” the family’s lawyer Yassine Bouzrou said in a press release last week.
Messiha is said to be closely associated with one-time French presidential election candidate Eric Zemmour, the far-right leader of the Reconquête party and a former political journalist.
