French minister fined over tax statement
French tax authorities have penalized the Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron for submitting a false tax statement.
Mediapart news website and Canard Enchaine daily revealed on Tuesday that authorities had found during an audit that the minister had undervalued a family property.
Macron "has finally admitted that he should pay [the tax]" and resubmitted his tax declaration for 2013 and 2014, Mediapart wrote.
Canard Enchaine said discussions with the tax authority had lasted more than 18 months and focused on the value of Macron's wife's home in northern France.
Marcon, who has sought to position himself as a possible candidate for next year's presidential election, said during a visit to a factory in northern France that, "I am up to date with the tax administration and the high authority on transparency in public life."
Macron, however, complained that he "like all citizens" also favored privacy over tax matters.
He claimed there had been a concerted campaign in recent weeks to dig up dirt "in order to destabilize me."
Mediapart and Canard Enchaine reported that the tax audit has found that Macron is liable for tax on the rich which affects anyone with property worth at least 1.3 million euros ($1.4 million).
The home was valued by the tax office at 1.4 million euros, rather than the 1.2 million euros stated by the minister.
Mediapart said the increased bill and penalties would probably amount to less than 10,000 euros.
Macron's office did not comment when contacted by AFP, but one close ally, Socialist MP Pascal Terrasse, said he was "the target of an attack because he is shaking things up."
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