Press Release: State aid: Commission authorises extension of urban tax-free zones scheme in France

Under the state aid rules in the EC Treaty, the European Commission authorised France to continue the existing urban tax-free zones scheme until 31 December 2011, to include 15 new zones under the scheme and to extend the area covered by the 29 existing zones. Small and micro businesses created or opened after 1 January 2006 in the 100 areas classed as urban tax-free zones would be eligible for exemption from employers' social security contributions, profits tax, business tax and real-estate tax.