How to get free help with your tax declaration in France

Income declaration season is in full-swing in France, after the online portal to declare in 2024 opened on April 11. 

Depending on the location of your home, you have until late May or early June to declare your 2023 income, with those who use a physical form having a slightly earlier deadline.

Read more: What are the deadlines for French tax returns in 2024?

Despite the process being streamlined in the last few years – and millions being eligible for the déclaration automatique or automatic declaration – it can still be difficult to declare, especially if you have specific questions. 

Note that the automatic declaration is not available for declarants with any non-French income, such as a US or UK pension.

Below, we look at ways you can get free help and advice relating to issues you may have.

Contacting the tax authorities

You can contact the tax services directly with any queries.

If you are inside France you can call 0809 401 401 (the number only works from within the country). 

The service is available between 08:30 and 19:00, Monday to Friday, and you can ask any question about your declaration (French only).

If you are a non-resident who has to declare, you can call an English-speaking helpline on 09 69 36 39 00. 

Read more: Telecom firms, utilities: which offer English language services in France?

Alternatively, you can write a message to the authorities through your personal space on the French tax site, through the secure messaging system (messagerie sécurisée). 

Members of The Connexion team who have used this found it effective, receiving replies within a few days.

Finally, you can make a face to face appointment at your local tax office through your personal space. 

Click the Contact et RDV button, and follow the options to find your nearest centre. Appointments can also be made for a telephone conversation. 

Note that this is the busiest time of year for the service, and appointments may be difficult to come by. 

Read more: Does everyone in France need to complete an income tax return?

Expert advice from tax volunteers

The ‘Allô impôt’ service is back once again this year, providing free advice by phone and, in some cases, by in-person meetings.

Volunteers – all of whom are accountants or tax experts – are contactable for free on 0800 065 432, on May 22, 23, 29, 30, and June 5 and 6. 

The service runs between 09:00 to 18:00. 

On May 23, 30, and June 6 (each of the main filing deadlines), it runs until 21:00. 

The service will also offer in-person appointments across France’s regions. More information on the location of these appointments will be provided closer to the end of May on the official website.

The Connexion tax guide 

Alongside our articles on the 2024 income tax season, The Connexion has a dedicated tax guide.

It is available in our digital shop, and answers many questions from Britons and other non-French people about the income declaration system in France. 

Information includes help on declaring UK pensions, rental income from non-French sources, rules on self-employment income and many other topics. 

It costs €14.50 and comes as a digital download.