France is facing an unprecedented health crisis. To support bakeries—and businesses in general—affected by lockdown measures, the French government has decided to implement measures on an unprecedented scale. The goal: to help your business get through this difficult time!
Deadlines for paying social security contributions
As an employer at your bakery, you may request that URSSAF defer all or part of the payment of your employee and employer contributions due on March 15, 2020, if the due date falls on the 15th of the month. The payment date for these contributions may be deferred for up to three months without incurring late fees.
TDownload here the request for an extension of payment.
Deadlines for paying tax bills
The Directorate General of Public Finance (DGFP) is implementing special measures to support you:
– The penalty-free deferral of upcoming direct tax payments: corporate income tax installments, payroll tax, etc.;
– The option for a business that has already paid its March bill to block the SEPA direct debit or request a refund;
– The ability for self-employed individuals to adjust the withholding tax rate and advance payments at any time.
Visit the website to learn more: https://www.impots.gouv.fr/aides-destination-des-entreprises-independants-entrepreneurs-particulierement-touches-par-leshttps://www.impots.gouv.fr/portail/node/13465
Tax relief on direct taxes for bakers during the COVID-19 pandemic
If you are having difficulty paying your taxes due to the coronavirus crisis, you may apply to the public accountant for an installment plan or a deferral of your tax debt. In the most difficult situations, you may request a waiver of direct taxes (such as income tax, local economic tax, etc.). After reviewing your application, a waiver may be granted.
Visit the website to learn more: https://www.impots.gouv.fr/aides-destination-des-entreprises-independants-entrepreneurs-particulierement-touches-par-leshttps://www.impots.gouv.fr/portail/node/13465
Deferral of rent, water, gas, and electricity payments for bakeries
If your bakery is facing serious difficulties due to the coronavirus, you can ask your landlord for a temporary deferral of rent payments for your premises. You can also do the same with your utility providers regarding your water, gas, and electricity bills. The request must be made by phone, email, or mail.
Social assistance from the regional office of the CPSTI
The Council for Social Protection of Self-Employed Workers (CPSTI) provides financial assistance to self-employed workers facing cash flow problems that could jeopardize the viability of their business. For more information, visit the Coronavirus page on the Social Security for the Self-Employed website.
Bank guarantees
BpiFrance, the Public Investment Bank, is supporting French businesses through the following measures:
– The provision of the Bpifrance guarantee for working capital loans granted by French private banks to businesses affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic;
– The extension of standard guarantees for investment loans with no management fees;
– Restructuring of medium- and long-term loans for Bpifrance clients.
For their part, the government and the Bank of France are supporting businesses by helping them restructure their bank loans.
To learn more about business support measures and fill out the online form, visit the BpiFrance website.
Measures to support employment
For its part, the Department of Labor is implementing assistance programs designed to support employment at companies whose operations have been impacted by the coronavirus:
– Preserving jobs at affected companies by providing financial support to employees through the short-time work program;
– The provision of a "Q&A" document for business owners and employees.
How can I take advantage of this?
For companies that are required to reduce or suspend their operations and place their employees on short-time work, an application for short-time work must be submitted online via the Ministry of Labor’s website.
A company implementing short-time work must apply for authorization from the DIRECCTE office in its department, which will respond within 48 hours.
The request must include the following information:
– the reasons justifying the use of short-time work;
– the expected duration of reduced activity;
– the number of employees affected.
Assistance from the Business Ombudsman
This is one of the mechanisms you can use to receive assistance within 48 hours in resolving disputes with customers or suppliers arising from the performance of a contract due to the coronavirus crisis.
For more information on this program, visit the dedicated page on the Ministry of Economy’swebsite.
