Apprenticeship tax: fewer deductible expenses and a share paid to the national apprenticeship development fund

The social cohesion programming act limits the list of expenses firms may deduct from the apprenticeship tax as exemptions (costs of apprentice training centres, grants to schools, internship costs up to a regulatory limit, complementary activities). For the tax due on 2004 wages, liable firms pay the Treasury, by 31 May 2005 at the latest, a share equal to certain previously deductible expenses. The national equalisation fund becomes the national fund for the development and modernisation of apprenticeship (FNDMA), with two sections. Payment through a collecting body becomes mandatory for financial years ending on or after 31 December 2005.