In all the excitement of moving to France, it’s easy to forget things, including the dreaded administration requirements. Making sure you enter the French tax system correctly as a tax resident is vital. But it doesn’t need to be as difficult as you might think, says Jennie Poate at Beacon Global Wealth. She explains how French tax returns work for new expats so you can relax…
Moving to France on a permanent basis
If you are intending to live in France on a permanent basis, then you will need to complete a tax return. The tax year runs January to December. If you arrived permanently sometime in 2018 you should complete your first tax return in May 2019.
It’s your responsibility to obtain the forms from the tax office, don’t expect them to arrive automatically. And, be aware that there is only a short window to complete them.
Form Filling
There are a number of forms to complete for new arrivals and we recommend that you visit the tax office in person to collect them. You might want to get a tax professional to complete your first return so that you have peace of mind. You’ll normally receive the response from the tax office in August/September of the same year.
Remember you don’t have a choice as to whether you declare your income here or not. There are a strict set of rules confirming this, details of which you can find here.
However you will find the DTA or Double Taxation Agreement between France and your country of origin will dictate what gets taxed and where, although all forms of income must be put on the form. Some types of income will remain taxable in the country of origin but will still need to be declared in France.
UK Tax Form
If you have moved from the UK, you will need to complete a form P85 from Revenue and Customs. This is a notification to UK tax authorities that you are leaving the country and it will help to ensure that you’ll be taxed appropriately. Find more details here on the UK Gov website
French Tax Forms
In France, you are taxed as a household rather than individuals (except in the case of co-habiting, in which case you will have separate returns to complete). You will qualify for additional allowances if you have children, are registered disabled or over 65.
You will get an allowance before income tax is charged. Details here.
If you’re keeping your home in Britain or elsewhere and renting it out, your UK rental Income will remain taxable in the UK. But, it must be declared on your French tax return (as there is a dual tax arrangement bet-ween the UK and France, it won’t be taxed twice). You will need to complete this form.
By the way, check your existing insurance policy, it may not cover the rental of the home. If you’re still paying a mortgage on the property, you should also let your mortgage provider know you’re moving.
All income needs to be declared on your form. This includes pensions, UK deposit accounts, ISA’s, share portfolios and even Premium Bonds. All investment income will be taxed at 30% – a special income tax and social charge rate.
Tax return time is a good time to review your finances. You may find that what was set up in your home country may not be tax efficient now you are in France and you could end up with products that are much like a square peg in a round hole!
A good financial adviser will be able to explain all the taxes applicable in France and analyse your existing investments. They will explain how you are taxed and whether there is anything more suitable for you as a French tax resident.
Getting your tax return right first time will save heartache later on and may save you paying large penalties…
For obligation free advice contact: www.beaconglobalwealth.com enquiries@bgwealthmanagement.net
The financial advisers trading under Beacon Wealth Management are members of Nexus Global (IFA Network). Nexus Global is a division within Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited (BFMI). All approved individual members of Nexus Global are Appointed Representatives of BFMI. BFMI is licensed and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and bound by their rules under licence number FSC00805B. And the information on these pages is intended as an introduction only and is not designed to offer solutions or advice. Beacon Global Wealth Management can accept no responsibility whatsoever for losses incurred by acting on the information on this page. We are not tax advisers and recommend that you engage the services of a tax professional to obtain formal tax advice.
