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Forget the never-ending financial crisis, the subject on everyone’s lips in France is whether the government’s proposed plan to decrease the value-added tax (VAT) on restaurants will have any effect on their takings.According to President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plan, which is due to take effect from 1 July, restaurant VAT will drop from 19.6 to 5.5 per cent. In exchange for the break, restaurant owners have agreed to lower prices by 11.8 per cent on a number of everyday menu items, such as the plat du jour, mineral water and the ubiquitous café. So, if you play your cards right and stick to the reduced classics, you could save a pretty penny, or euro, on your meal.
Writer: Zeva Bellel
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