Pampered by the tax authorities since Napoleon, local distillers escape the tax

“The first tax advantage for cru distillers was granted by Napoleon. Returning from the Italian campaign, he allowed his grognards to distill without paying taxes,” says Jean-Charles Cheritat, president of the National Federation of Unions of Family Fruit Harvesters and Brandy Producers. natural (FNRSPE). Since then, taxation around this tradition has continued to make its way into the history of France. Hereditary since the Empire, the privilege of transforming the fruits of one's own orchards into brandy for personal consumption without paying taxes was limited by Pierre Mendès France during his crusade against alcoholism. Which will trigger a raising of deputies’ shields against him.

“Today the distillers who benefit from hereditary exemption are in their 90s. There aren’t many left,” explains Jean-Charles Cheritat. But while this generation is dying out, the new generation – there are around 90,000 of them – has just won a battle. As of January 1, 2024, all raw distillers will be exempt from taxes on the first 50 liters of alcohol per distillation campaign. Knowing that the vast majority of producers of brandy never exceed 10 liters, this almost amounts to a complete exemption. Rather than processing some 70,000 checks of 50 to 80 euros, the tax authorities found it easier to exempt them. “The declaration to the customs services remains obligatory, but I think that this measure could encourage new people to distill their fruits,” hopes Jean-Charles Cheritat.