Moving to France or buying property there should be the start of an exciting and fulfilling stage of your life. Dealing with complex tax legislation may be daunting, but with early and careful planning you can prevent headaches and make the most of tax-efficient opportunities.
Pensions are often the key to long-term financial security, so it is crucial to take extreme care when deciding what to do here. Expatriates have the added complication of factoring in the tax rules of two countries, as well as the potential for Brexit to limit the range of opportunities.
This year’s changes are rather muted compared to 2018’s big reforms to the taxation of investment income and wealth tax.
There has never been a better time to move to France, thanks to the country’s new tax reform – but watch out for the pitfalls and make sure you are prepared
The new year is a good time to reflect on the previous 12 months and look ahead to what the coming year may bring. Make sure one new year’s resolution is to review your financial planning to check it is up-to-date and on track to protect your family’s long-term wealth.
If you ever had the feeling that you have spent half your working life just paying tax, you are not far wrong. What with income tax, national insurance/social security, capital gains tax, VAT, council tax, excise duties and so on, a considerable amount of our hard-earned income gets diverted to the taxman each year.
By making the lifestyle choice to live in France, you will want to make the most of what this country has to offer by enjoying the beautiful scenery and climate for as long as you possibly can. That may…
THE INS AND OUTS OF THE FRENCH TAX SYSTEM Major tax reforms are being rolled out this year, making France a more attractive country to live in – but watch out for the pitfalls and make sure you are prepared…
There has never been more choice for what Britons can do with their pension. While this freedom is generally welcome, unfortunately it has brought a sharp increase in pension scams attempting to defraud people out of their retirement savings. British…
Last September, tax authorities across the world, including France and the UK, began sharing and receiving new information on their taxpayers’ offshore assets and income. This is carried out under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) for automatic exchange of financial…
It’s that time of year again, when we need to complete our French income tax returns, work out how much tax we owe, and submit them by the deadline. Paper returns are due by 17th May, for both residents…
Imagine this scenario: you are a British expatriate, living in France and enjoying the lifestyle you have dreamed about. Then you receive a letter from your local tax office claiming you owe them thousands of euros in unpaid taxes, interest…
Delaying registering for healthcare could save tax on your pension. Here, Rupert Holderness explains what you need to know before deciding One of the key concerns for expatriates arriving in a new country is healthcare. While we hope we will…
Achieving the optimum investment portfolio is not rocket science. Here, Rupert Holderness shares his foolproof checklist to success Whether you are an expat or planning to move to France, this handy checklist will set you on the right…
Here we are at the start of another year, when we tend to reflect on the previous 12 months and look ahead to what the coming year may bring. It is a good time to reflect on your financial…
From 2018 French residents no longer need to pay wealth tax on savings and investments, and investment income benefits from a new tax rate. The French tax reforms which were first announced in September came into effect on 1st January…
We often write about the importance of protecting your wealth, from taxes, inflation, institutional failure etc. It is worth highlighting that one key element, whether you are looking at tax planning, estate planning, savings and investments or pensions, is that…
Rupert Holderness tackles the complexities of inheritance tax and estate planning in France – so you don’t have to… Good estate planning is about achieving the peace of mind that our affairs are in order and that, as far as…
A new 30% flat tax rate will be introduced for investment income from January 2018, and a new version of wealth tax will only apply to real estate, lowering tax bills for many expatriates in France. As part of his…
There are two annual local property taxes in France, taxe d’habitation and taxe foncière. They are paid by both residents and non-residents and are often higher on second homes …
President Emmanuel Macron promised various tax reforms during his electoral campaign earlier this year. If they all go ahead, there will be substantial changes to how investment income is taxed. He said his key aim was to encourage people…
Governments cash in on offshore tax evasion crackdown The UK tax office has reaped the rewards of its latest measures to tackle tax fraud. The past tax year netted HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) £29 billion from tax evasion…
Five years ago, when François Hollande was elected President, we knew tax rises were imminent. This time around we are hoping for tax cuts. During his electoral campaign, Emmanuel Macron promised significant tax reductions for both individuals and businesses. Wealth…
Since it’s the time of year when we need to submit our French income tax returns, our article this week reviews the basic elements of how income is taxed in France. Residents need to submit their tax return by 17th…
Now that Britain’s divorce from the EU has officially begun, will we soon know more about what Brexit means for expatriates in France? Not quite. Triggering Article 50 has just set off the two-year countdown for agreeing the terms of…
In Philip Hammond’s first and only Spring Budget, there was very little to surprise and not much that had not already been announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement. Personal Allowances The personal tax-free allowance will increase by £500 to…
Beware the Costs of Ill-fitting Advice for Your Life in France If you are thinking about moving to France, it is important to take a fresh approach to your financial planning. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is…
Brexit has been all over the news again, with the British Prime Minister announcing her negotiating plans and MPs voting to trigger the process by the end of March. A 77-page White Paper released on 2 February has also spelled…
It is that time of the year when many people make New Year resolutions to improve their life in one way or another. Whether or not you make resolutions, this is a good time to consider whether you need to…
Pensions are complex, yet often the cornerstone of a comfortable retirement. Today, with Brexit looming and more options than ever for what you can do with your funds, it is difficult to establish the best approach – there is no…
If you are buying a property or looking to move to France, it is a good idea to start your tax planning early. With suitable arrangements in place, expatriates can find France a very tax-efficient place to live – but…
Tax planning remains an important part of protecting your wealth and retirement income, but it can be quite a minefield these days, particularly for expatriates who have cross-border interests. You need detailed, up-to-date knowledge of French, UK and international tax…
It is that time of year again, when the government releases its proposed budget for the following year and it starts to make its way through the parliamentary process. The 2017 draft budget was presented on 28th September 2016. Here…
Estate Planning In France Rupert Holderness explains why it’s wise to provide for a comfortable future in France, but also plan to provide for your loved ones and friends…. Are you planning on making France your permanent home? If so,…
Are you protecting your savings and investments from unnecessary taxation in France? You will have worked to build up your savings; your aim now is to protect them and the income they provide. To maximise your returns, you need to…
Land on your feet, whatever Brexit brings No matter what your feelings are about Brexit, now that the storm has started to settle it is time to shift focus from the emotional to the practical. What do you need to…
One area of concern for British expatriates living in France is how the UK’s decision to leave the EU will affect their pensions. As with issues like residency and healthcare, the rights you have now should remain in place until…
We are certainly living in interesting times, as the UK prepares to start a new chapter in its history. This has created uncertainty for British expatriates in France and elsewhere in the EU, and those planning to move there. There…
Are you enjoying your new life in France, or looking forward to the time you can finally make the move? France offers so many new experiences to take pleasure in and with that and sorting out your new home and…
You may have put a lot of thought into your financial planning to make sure you have enough for the retirement lifestyle you want. Have you given the same kind of attention to your estate planning? If so, is it…
There’s no denying that France is a high tax country, but you may be able to take advantage of French tax compliant opportunities to protect your assets from the taxman.
Have you thought about how much tax you will pay in France when you sell shares and other investments? There have been a number of tax reforms …
Are you one of the many people who dream of retiring to France? To make sure your money lasts for as long as necessary, it is essential to review your arrangements now.
On the sale of a property you will be liable to French capital gains tax whether you are resident there or not, with some exceptions…
If you fall into either of these categories and have unduly paid social charges on unearned income, you are entitled to a make a claim to recover the tax… but you need to really hurry!
The cross-border tax landscape has completely changed. It is essential that your tax planning conforms to the rules of taxation in France, or it could have consequences.
If you live in France, or are thinking about moving or buying property there, you are probably wondering which is better in terms of tax residency: France or the UK?
When thinking about buying a property in France you may well consider the possibility of letting the property when you are not using it. It could be that you already have a holiday home there which you rent out or…
New EU regulations will give you much more choice over whom British expatriates living in France can leave their assets to. You have much more freedom to choose to bequeath property, savings and investments.
When UK nationals buy property in France and/or move to live there, one significant difference between the UK and France that they need to be aware of is the French succession (inheritance) law, and the implications on inheritance tax.
