Question 16956 — payment methods

Summary

Mr. Aurélien Dutremble alerts the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty to the consequences of the gradual reduction in the use of checks for the payment of public revenue. The general directorate of public finances is currently leading a campaign aimed at encouraging users to favor payment methods other than checks, in particular direct debit, payment in online via the PayFiP platform, bank transfer or payment from partner tobacconists. This development is notably justified by the continued decline in the use of checks, which now represent only 4.5% of payments while generating nearly 30% of processing costs. If the modernization of payment methods can meet the objectives of simplification and cost reduction, it gives rise to strong concerns in rural areas. Many local elected officials are warning of the growing difficulties encountered by the elderly, users who are far from digital or even those who do not have sufficient means of travel. The Government is promoting the use of approved tobacconists as a local solution. However, this response appears largely insufficient in many rural areas. Not all tobacconists do not offer this service and, above all, their number continues to decrease. In many rural communities, the tobacconist is often the last remaining local business. Its gradual disappearance forces residents to travel several dozen kilometers to access certain essential services. This situation is particularly worrying in territories already faced with the closure of treasuries, post offices, bank branches and many other public services. For many rural residents, the concomitant disappearance of traditional means of payment and local shops risks creating a real breakdown in equality in public service. Furthermore, dematerialized solutions remain difficult to access for part of the population faced with electronics, the absence of computer equipment or even insufficient digital coverage. In this context, he asks what guarantees the Government intends to provide in order to maintain payment solutions that are truly accessible to all French people, particularly in rural areas. He also wishes to know whether the Government intends to sustainably maintain the possibility of resolving certain public revenue by check for those who cannot use electronic means of payment. Finally, he asks what measures the Government intends to take to prevent the gradual disappearance of local businesses, particularly tobacconists, from leading to a new breakdown in equality between the French in public service.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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1. 14 July 2026

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• Aurélien Dutremble · auteur

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