Taxes fees and charges

Thousands of property owners in France sent ‘empty home tax’ bills in error

The bills, payable this December, can run to thousands of euros

Driver discovers she is subscribed to insurance as she pays French parking fee

She said she had never asked for or wanted the insurance and had to right to be refunded

More owners will pay French empty home tax in December 2024

The criteria for charging the taxe sur les logements vacants (TLV) were extended last year

practical

When do I have to start filing for tax in France?

Tax declarations are linked to residency

French property tax fraud: what is targeted other than 'secret’ swimming pools?

The AI-assisted technology designed to detect undeclared swimming pools is being widened to focus on other structures too

Dog-walks, airport scam, tax season: 5 French practical updates

Our round-up of recent articles you may have missed

I have S1 but French bank is taking full social charges from interest

Social charges can vary depending on which country covers your healthcare costs

Eight reasons to be cheerful about French income tax in 2024

New tax credits and a ‘super’ allowance for some furnished rentals are among the plus points

Taxes, bank holidays, Olympics: Key dates to note in April in France

Practical and cultural events to mark on your calendar

Respite for gite owners in France as harsh tax change is put off

Old micro-Bic thresholds and allowances can still apply to 2023 income but situation remains confusing

What are the deadlines for French tax returns in 2024?

Several deadlines exist depending on where you live

Must I declare an en-suite shower room to French tax authorities?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

What is the ‘RFR’ figure used by French tax authorities?

It is a requirement to complete a French tax return each year, the statement will show the results of this

How do I contact tax officials when I move to France?

As resident some taxes will no longer be payable, depending on your situation

20 changes for residents in France

Updates cover speed limits and radars, taxes for the over 65s, energy bills and more

Local taxes, car recalls, cold calls: 5 French practical updates

Our pick of practical stories you may have missed

Do we need to declare small income from work at second-home to France?

Reader ran short craft courses but lives in UK

Rubbish collection tax in France: what exemptions exist?

The tax is closely linked to property taxes in France, although in some cases certain buildings can be exempt

Do non residents pay home-country tax on French Livret A interest?

Understanding income tax due can be challenging for those with homes in different countries

Explainer: France’s taxe d’habitation property tax

We look at who pay this and when, the exemptions and other rules

Explainer: Role of notaire in France and what to do if not happy

What you can expect from your notaire, what standards should they adhere to, and what you can do if you find them lacking

How can I lower the ‘gift’ tax on a present to a relative?

There are certain ways to reduce the tax you need to pay

Can foreign students have paid part time work in France?

Students often find part-time jobs to help cover cost of living

Empty home tax, tree fine, free home audit: French property round up

Our round-up sees a man fined €6,000 for cutting down a neighbour’s tree, rising home insurance costs and a new notaire initiative in the south-west

How long do I need to keep old French documents?

It is advisable to keep certain documents for minimum periods in case of queries or complications

Campaigners welcome proposed drop in cost of renouncing US citizenship

Americans in France could benefit from an 80% reduction to the current fee

Anger from hotel industry at go-ahead for Paris to triple tourist tax

Critics say the move will make the capital the ‘most-taxed’ in Europe and hurt competitiveness

Proposal to pause capital gains tax on second homes in France

We also look at a ‘noisy’ heat pump problem, proposed changes to Airbnb rental taxation and how plans for energy ratings are continuing

Confirmed: French income tax bands will rise to avoid higher bills

The increase will be one of the largest in recent years, linked to steep cost-of-living rises

Beware: crooks are back with scam over French tax payments

New warning from the tax authorities over fake text offers which inform people of tax rebates. They are a scam to get your banking details

Second-home tax: 2,263 French communes added to ‘possible rises’ list

If communes wish to bring in an increase they must agree to do so by October 1 for the change to apply to next year’s bills

Six key points to note from French Prime Minister’s recent interview

Fuel aid, taxes, medical fees and tackling crime were among the topics covered by Elisabeth Borne

New website in France helps you work out tax for non-EU imports

DéclareDouane service can help you budget and will speed up the process at the border when bringing in items such as alcohol, tobacco, fashion or furniture

French property owner form deadline is postponed… again

The government is said to have been ‘overly optimistic’ that everyone would understand how to complete the declaration

Key points to help you complete France’s new obligatory property form

We take you through the steps and answer reader questions about the declaration which should be made by end of the June this year

Tax bills, traffic, school aid: Important dates in France this August

Our round-up also includes a last chance for summer sales and train ticket bargains

Second-home owner woe as 2,600 new French areas allowed to raise tax

Communes do not have to apply the tax surcharge. But, if they do, it could be as high as 60%

No fines in 2023, says French property declaration chief

The Connexion speaks to Sandrine Majorel-Delage, head of the service behind this new obligation for owners

Did I miss the deadline to declare French inheritance?

John Kitching of French Law Consultancy replies to a reader who is worried she needed to declare the inheritance of her late husband’s property within 12 months

Macron’s middle-class tax cut plan: Would you be affected?

France’s president said it would likely affect those earning between €1,500 to €2,500 net a month

Income declarations in France: Key points on overseas bank accounts

We give an overview of how to declare your overseas financial details to the French tax authorities

How to fill in new French property form and why it is causing problems

Unions say thousands of people have contacted the French tax authorities with questions about how to fill it in properly

How do we declare our property in France if it is owned by an SCI?

The procedure is slightly different if you have a société civile immobilière (SCI) property ownership company

France wants to expand AI use to find undeclared verandas and sheds

French tax authorities already use artificial intelligence to find undeclared swimming pools. Now they want to take that a step further

What changes in France in May and need-to-know dates

The coming month will see additional pension reform protests, mosquitos, tax return deadlines and more

Lawyer raises legal questions over France’s mandatory property form

The form will allow authorities to know who is liable for taxe d’habitation, which is now only levied on second homeowners

Updated step-by-step guide to France’s property form (with pictures)

Around 34 million homeowners are required to submit information before the June 30, 2023 deadline

Problems continue with France’s new property form: where to get help?

The form is obligatory and should be completed by the end of June. We look at help available for residents and those living outside the country

France income tax return 2023: what is new this year as website opens?

We summarise new points for this year’s declarations which cover 2022 income

One-in-five French municipalities 'expected to raise property tax'

This is despite the fact that the government has asked councils not to increase the tax and even try to lower it

How to prepare French assets after family death from another country?

Matthew Cameron of Ashtons Legal answers a reader query on how to prepare for death in the family when living in different countries

Need to declare income in France? Here is when and where you can do it

French authorities have announced when the window for making 2022 income declarations will open and close

Controversy as Grenoble hikes its share of property tax by 25%

The mayor says the increase will help the city ‘face up to inflation and the cost of energy’. Critics say it will hit retirees with small pensions and the middle class

Why French mairies are turning to private firms to recoup property tax

A group for local mayors, and a firm tracking wrongly-declared property, tell The Connexion reasons for this trend

What’s happening in France this week?

This week (March 13-19) more strike disruption is likely, a final vote on the country’s controversial pension reforms could take place and France plays Wales in the Six Nations

All owners of French properties must fill in this new tax-site form

A new declaration, to be completed by summer 2023, is required of everyone, including second homeowners, owning houses or flats in France

Dozens of French mairies employing private firms to track tax fraud

Stretched budgets are prompting municipal authorities to take tougher action over unpaid taxes relating to pools, extensions and second homes

Delay to plan to increase local tax for more second homes in France

A list of extra towns that will be able to charge up to 60% more in taxe d’habitation has been postponed

What is France’s empty homes tax and why more people will be paying it

The number of towns permitted to charge this tax is expanding and the amount charged is set for a steep hike

Exemptions and reductions extended for the taxe foncière in France

A new law makes it easier for older people and certain other groups of people to benefit from these in relation to this property owner's tax

Why millions of households in France are about to receive a tax credit

Eligible households will receive an average payment of €624

Swimming pools, sheds: Tax due on installation is rising in France

The tax is applied once on the installation of a new built structure requiring planning permission or a prior declaration on someone’s property

New resident tax to help fund high-speed rail link in southwest France

People from over 2,000 communes are concerned for the next 40 years. Work on the €13.5bn project will begin next year

Shed tax rise, renovation aid, rental prices: French property updates

We also look at the introduction of a mandatory logbook for home eco-renovations and how a chateau once visited by General de Gaulle is on sale for just €550,000

How rubbish collections and fees are changing in south west France

People in the Dordogne are being charged differently for collections - with fees increasing the more waste there is - in a bid to encourage them to reduce the waste they create

Tax breaks continue for installing electric car home charger in France

Drivers can install charging stations at their main and second homes and claim back up to €300 per unit

French taxe foncière exemption for eco-renovations: how does it work?

Some communes will offer partial or full exemptions to people who have recently carried out significant renovations for energy efficiency

Renovation loans, evictions, house swaps: Five French property updates

We also look at tax authorities’ Google surveillance of garden pools in 2023

One in five French mayors considering local tax rises in 2023

Rising costs may also result in spending cuts concerning street lighting, heating in public buildings and highway maintenance, a new study has suggested

Recap: 11 tips to avoid a tax inspection in France

Innocent omissions and deliberate manipulation can result in tax authority checks and potential penalties

Explainer: How to get a tax refund for items bought on visit to France

Since the UK left the EU, British citizens with second homes in France – or just on tourist visits – can obtain VAT refunds on some purchases made in the country

Paris taxe foncière rates to rise by 50% next year

The capital is also studying additional taxation measures aimed at increasing its revenues amid rising debts and the loss of taxe d’habitation income

Taxe d’habitation deadline approaches in France: Who still pays this?

Whether or not you owe the tax this year depends on your income and whether you live in the property full time or if it is a second home

Second home tax increase: Where in France may be affected by new law?

We look at how to determine if your commune is likely to be subject to possible taxe d’habitation increases. Coastal and mountain areas will be impacted

Last days to benefit from open day event at French admin help centres

There are over 2,000 France Services points around the country where people can get help declaring taxes, renewing driving licences, getting healthcare reimbursements, etc.