This measure aims to detect signs of tax fraud
French tax authorities can now use automated tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to examine taxpayers’ public social media activity in a bid to reduce fraud.
The tax authorities have received information from the CNIL (French data privacy watchdog) that allows them to examine and analyze all information published on a user’s Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and/or LinkedIn pages on their own social media accounts. permission has been granted to create.
They primarily look for signs of tax fraud and check if the taxpayer’s lifestyle matches what is shown on their tax return. It will also look for people who appear to live in France but claim to be domiciled elsewhere for tax reasons.
This new measure was adopted by Decree on December 31, 2024 and Journal office This is part of existing legislation that already allows tax authorities to use AI-assisted tools to track undeclared pools, buildings and Airbnb-style rentals.
These can be accessed through the website without the need for sign-up or passwords, which was a condition for tax authorities to be able to use the website for tracking.
Read more: French property tax fraud: What else is being targeted besides the ‘secret’ pool?
Related article: Tax authorities discover 120,000 undeclared pools in France
limits of rules
There are some limitations.
The CNIL provides that authorities may only access and use content that is publicly available. Private messages or other data may not be used or admitted as evidence in any final court proceeding.
Also read: Which UK bank account number should I declare on my French tax return?
Read more: Does everyone have to fill out an income tax return in France?
Similarly, social media data may only be collected by tax authorities as part of specific charges for crimes “exhaustively listed in the law” (such as under-reporting or concealing taxable income).
Any other use is strictly prohibited.
