Many readers will know that payments to registered charities can attract tax relief up to 66%, and as the many millions pledged for the reconstruction of Notre Dame are being made to an association "Friends of Notre Dame" they may be eligible for such relief.
So good you may think, but the effect is that it will be the state which finances most of the work. Of course there are caps on the relief but there have been inevitable claims that billionaire donors have been culpable of a publicity stunt in pledging millions which will attract tax reductions. Some have already said they will not claim the relief and probably much of the cash will be held in off shore tax havens, already sheltering much of the income or wealth from tax.
Most left wing parties have taken the opportunity to denounce tax avoidance and demand the reintroduction of the ISF (wealth tax). Right wing parties suggest that as the wealthy individuals and companies are major employment and wealth creators and their swift and generous donations should not be exploited for political gain.
You pays your money..
