Sort out your finances so you can relax and enjoy life in France
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.
French Tax
Selling a property? Capital gains tax and exemptions
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…
Registering as French resident
If you moved to France, you will be registering your residency status by means of your income tax return. This is theofficial method of becoming tax domiciled in France.
Social charges in France: can you claim a refund?
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!
Case study: Inheritance tax on French property held by Monaco owner
A recent case of France’s supreme court, decided that a Monaco company was not subject to inheritance tax on French property upon the death of a shareholder.
Taxation in France: A new era for exchange of information
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.
Tax residency: France or UK?
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?
Tax liability on rental income in France
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…
French Succession Tax
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.
Planning tax in France: taxe d’aménagement
The taxe d’amenagement is a planning tax in France that takes some people by surprise. A bit of research and advance notice can reduce the shock to the system.
New EU succession law and its implications on inheritance tax
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.
Becoming a resident in France: What are the income tax implications?
If you are buying, or already own, a property in France and spend some time there each year, you need to understand what would make you resident in France for tax purposes. If you do become resident, what would the implications be for your income?
Selling a property and capital gains tax in France
If you sell a property in France for more than you paid for it you are potentially liable for tax on the capital gain, but there are exceptions.
Unmarried couples, French property, PACS and inheritance
It is always important to understand the tax and succession implications of buying a property in France, whatever your relationship status and whether you are buying alone or with a partner. It is even more important if you are not married to your partner.
FAQ – French Tax
Frequently asked questions about tax in France….
FATCA: tax compliance requirement for Americans in France
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act is a statute that requires US citizens, including those who live outside the United States, to report their financial accounts held outside of the US…
Gifting a property in France
It may be that you wish to make a gift of the whole or part of your French property. …
Buying a property in France: who pays the local taxes the buyer or the seller?
Your questions answered: When you buy a property, who pays the local taxes such as land tax and residence tax, the buyer or the seller?
France: Good news on social charges for non-residents
Social charges in France are effectively another form of tax on income, paid in addition to income and capital gains taxes. Prior to 2012 they were only levied on residents, but then rules changed.
The new UK pension regime and expatriates in France
The new UK pension regime came into effect from 6th April, 2015. This is a major change for retirees, with the restrictions on how much income and lump sum you can take being removed for defined contribution schemes.
Is this the time to move to France? Maybe!
There’s been some recent developments in the Eurozone which could benefit British expatriates hoping to move to France or already living there.
Tax-free savings and France
There are various tax-free vehicles available in the UK. But what happens when we move to France? Do we retain these accounts? Will they work for us as French residents?
How are savings and investments taxed in France?
There can be significant differences between taxation in the UK and taxation in France. A must read in order to help maximise your returns on your money.
Buying property in France? Take tax advice early
If you are buying a property in France, and/or moving there to live, you should start your tax planning nice and early. Ideally this would be before you buy the property, and before you move there.
Refund of social charges for non-residents?
If you sold your holiday home in France you may qualify for a refund of any social contributions levied, but you would need to act quickly.
Top French tax tips
Baffled by the French tax system? Preparing to leave the UK to set up home in your dream French home? Already here? Here’s some handy advice…
End of tax exemption for auto-entrepreneurs – CFE
The exemption from paying CFE (Cotisation Financière des Entreprises) for auto-entrepreneurs a relief to the small business owners under the auto-entrepreneur self-employment status is becoming extinct.
Renting out a UK property as a French resident
Renting out their UK property offers extra income and flexibility for movers who are not fully decided on their permanent location.
Wealth tax in France – get the facts about ISF
Wealth Tax in France or Impôt de Solidarité sur la Fortune is an annual tax on the sale value of your assets, based on their value on the 1st January each year. Who is affected? The taxable threshold for…
Local taxes – ordures menagéres or refuse collection
The most widely known local taxes are the Taxe foncière, and taxe d’habitation but there is a third one …
Understanding inheritance rules and tax in France
If you are French tax resident, you will also be considered “domiciled” in France for inheritance purposes and your worldwide estate will be subject to French inheritance rules and taxes …
Love, marriage and property in France
These days, with marriage rates at their lowest ever, if you are moving to France there is a tax-efficient alternative to marriage available.
The Tax Implications of Renting Out a French Property
For French residents looking to generate income from renting out gites or other investment property there are a number of different French income tax regimes applying to rented property which determine the amount of net income you will actually…
Your UK pension: options and taxation in France
Once you reach retirement age you need to carefully consider all your options for receiving pension income, and how they affect the transfer of any balance to your spouse and heirs. If you live in France or are planning…
Special French VAT for renovation works
The French government has announced an increase in the special TVA for renovation work.
Estate planning for French residents
For most UK residents, making a move across the Channel does not mean a change in estate planning objectives. But what is likely to require a change is the financial planning approach and the techniques used to achieve these objectives.
French tax: your payment options
There are a number of ways to pay your tax liability in France: by cheque, by TIP, by direct debit or online… So make sure you avoid those late payment penalties and don’t forget, to register for monthly payments for your liabilities payable next year, the deadline is 15th December the year before.
How to Maximise your UK pension in France
Many French Entrée readers will be planning to move to France, probably on retirement. At that stage it is likely that they will need to rely heavily on that pension …
Returning to the UK from France
If you are a British expatriate who is leaving France to return to live in the UK, there are various tax and financial issues to plan for. Ideally, you should complete any necessary arrangements in the UK tax year before you return.
Who you need to inform when moving to France from the UK
There will be many things to do in arranging a move to France and a lot of people to tell. Here’s how to avoid unnecessary delays in getting your UK pension income paid to you gross and how to ensure that you receive any medical cover that you are entitled to in France.
‘Contributions Sociales’ or ‘Social Taxes’
Since the Contribution Sociale Généralisée (CSG) were introduced in 1991 they have been the source of much confusion for tax residents in France. Many expats who are now classified as tax residents of France would have received bills for Contributions Sociales in October and may been wondering exactly what they are.
Planning law and procedure in France
French planning law and taxes is a huge topic to cover, however the rules and procedures were somewhat simplified by legislation which came into force in 2012.
Declaring foreign investments
A law was ratified in February 2012 introducing penalties of a 40% increase in the amount of tax due on undeclared overseas investments. There is already a potential fine of €1,500 for every undeclared account.
Tax resident in France: the advantages
The proximity of France to the UK makes France a very accessible country for Britons to own holiday homes. For many they are more than just ‘holiday homes’, as they spend a considerable amount of time enjoying life over the Channel.
The double taxation agreement
Are you or will you become a British expatriate living in France? Do you own property in France? Both France and the UK impose an inheritance tax, but which country will tax you?
Income tax in the UK and France compared
Early April in the UK sees the end of one tax year and the start of another. While in France, the end of April brings the delivery of annual household tax forms for return to the French taxman by the end of May.
Returning to the UK from France?
There’s no avoiding the fact that living in France doesn’t suit everybody. For those who are thinking about returning to Britain, Mervyn Simms, former Director of financial experts Blevins Franks, offers some guidance…
QNUPS – New Tax Planning Opportunities For British Expatriates And UK Domiciles
On the 15th February 2010, a new HMRC statutory instrument came into force which creates significant opportunities for UK resident domiciles and British expatriates who remain UK domiciled to save UK inheritance tax (IHT) as well as local taxes in the country in which they are tax resident.
Death and taxes
Two things are inevitable, death and taxes. If you are a resident of England or Wales and have amongst your assets a French property (being land in France, whether built on or not), the law of succession in England and Wales will apply to the whole of your estate with the exception of the French land.
Pension and tax reforms in France
After much speculation, the French government finally announced its proposals to reform the state pension system on 16th June. Its aim is to balance the pension books by 2018.
