French Tax, Finance & Banking Guide
Making the Most of your Money in France

   If you are thinking of moving to France, it is vital that you understand taxation and your tax status in France. Do French income taxes apply to you? If so, how will your tax obligations be calculated and how much will you have to pay? AngloINFO's INFOrmation Page on French Income Tax helps you to understand whether or not you will be liable for income tax (impôt sur le revenue) in France. If you have a taxable income in France, this page gives an overview of the way taxes and social security charges are calculated and the kinds of tax allowances that are available. It also looks at the key dates for submitting your annual income tax return and making payments and directs you to places where you can find suitable English-speaking tax and finance advisors or get further information, both on AngloINFO and elsewhere.

   French taxes can be quite complicated and, if you have an obligation to pay taxes in France, you must understand when to pay which tax, how frequently and to who. Key French taxation includes Income Tax (impôt sur le revenue), Lodging/Occupiers Tax (taxe d'habitation), Television Tax (redevance audiovisuelle) and Property Tax (taxe foncière). AngloINFO's INFOrmation Page on French Tax Payment Deadlines gives a simple summary of the payment dates and schedules which apply to the most important of these taxes as well as an outline of how taxes are calculated and when they apply. There are plenty of pointers showing you where to look to find out more, as well as useful lists of local English-speaking tax and finance advisors in The AngloFILE business directory.

   Opening and using a bank account in France is not difficult but it's useful to know about the documents required to open a French bank account and how retail or consumer banks work in France. You can open a savings account/cheque account, get a credit card or a debit card (carte bleue), do direct debits, standing orders and money transfers. Most banks allow online Internet banking and have easily accessible cash machines or ATMs (automatic teller machines) which allow you to make cash withdrawals, deposits, balance requests and statements. Once your account is opened you will need to understand how to write and use French cheques and the purpose of a RIB (relevé d'identité bancaire) and a TIP (titre iterbancaire de paiement). The INFOrmation Page covers these key points and provides links to local banks with English-speaking staff. There is also a useful dictionary of French Banking Terminology and links to places where you can find out more.

   The low-down on the "new" Capital Gains Tax regime introduced in January 2004 and how it affects the property sale for those owning property in France.

   Real-time currency conversion between the world's currencies - here at AngloINFO. Find out what your Euros are worth against a basket of other currencies

   A guide to how the money markets works with information on various currency transfer options available if you need to exchange US Dollars, Pound Sterling, or any other currency to Euros - whether in a single transfer or on a regular basis.

   The essential information on the various taxes that will be applied to your income in France.

   Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the answers on the "new" rules for capital gains tax introduced in January 2004 and the effect they could have on your purchase of property in France.

   Information on general taxation in France: capital gains, wealth and gift and inheritance taxes.

   Jargon guide to the various terms used in currency conversion market; the meaning of terms such as: Stop loss order, Rollover, Floating exchange rate. If you don't understand your bank or broker, perhaps the answer is here.

   Information on the system of heirship for residents and those with fixed assets in France. The rules of reserved and unreserved allocations and how to make it work for you. Information includes details on legal changes introduced January 2007.

   Personal effects lost or stolen? Here are notes on who to call and what to do.

   Explanation on the benefits and purpose of an SCI or Societe Civile Immobiliere when buying property in France

   Buying Property in France utilising a SIPP: the facts you need to know about purchasing property in France via a Self Invested Personal Pension.