France’s tax for rich people – level 2

30-09-2025 15:00

France is discussing a new “Zucman tax” on very rich people who own more than 100 million euros.

Economist Gabriel Zucman wants a 2% tax each year on this group, about 1,800 people in France. Supporters say it is fair because rich people often pay less tax than others, and the money could help hospitals, pensions, and the military. They believe the tax could bring in 20 billion euros in France and even more in the EU. Critics think the number is too high and say rich people may invest less or find ways to avoid paying.

Other countries, like Spain, Norway, and Switzerland, already have taxes for very rich people. In France, the old wealth tax ended in 2018, replaced by a tax on property.

Difficult words: pension (money for people when they stop working), critic (a person who says what is bad or wrong about something), avoid (to stay away from something or not let it happen), property (houses, lands, or buildings)

You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.

Which countries are cited as already having taxes on very wealthy individuals?

LEARN 3000 WORDS with NEWS IN LEVELS

News in Levels is designed to teach you 3000 words in English. Please follow the instructions
below.

How to improve your English with News in Levels: 

Test

  1. Do the test at Test Languages.
  2. Go to your level. Go to Level 1 if you know 1-1000 words. Go to Level 2 if you know 1000-2000 words. Go to Level 3 if you know 2000-3000 words.

Reading

  1. Read two news articles every day.
  2. Read the news articles from the day before and check if you remember all new words.

Listening

  1. Listen to the news from today and read the text at the same time.
  2. Listen to the news from today without reading the text.

Writing

  1. Answer the question under today’s news and write the answer in the comments.

Speaking

  1. Choose one person from our Conversation section.
  2. Talk with this person. You can answer questions from Speak in Levels.

 

Stock images by Depositphotos