What capital gains tax on non-residents’ former French main home?
There can be declarations to be made in both countries when a resident abroad sells a French property
What happens when you sell your French main home and return to the UK (picture for illustration only)
Irina Wilhauk / Shutterstock
Reader question: We returned to the UK from France in 2019 and are now selling our French house in Gard.
Do we have to pay UK capital gains tax on money we obtain from selling the house, as well as paying the relevant taxes in France?
You might have capital gains tax to pay in both countries, but any French tax paid could be offset against UK tax.
The French tax will be organised during the sale by the fiscal representative, who is required to act as an intermediary when non-EU residents sell a French property.
You should then make a declaration to HMRC in the UK.
You will not, however, have any French tax to pay if you have owned the house for longer than 30 years (for tax and social charges) or 22 years (for tax).
People leaving France can generally benefit from a tax exemption for selling their former main home, but only until the end of the next year.
An exemption of up to €150,000 of taxable capital gain for former residents of France selling one property after leaving is available without a time limit, but only to EU citizens.
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