Buster_Gutte

Thanks to Deimos, Cooperlola, John F and Powerdesal for contributions. However, notwithstanding Cooperlola and John F's assertion that I may become an illegal immigrant, I think the nature of one's residency here has more than one 'level': By comparison with UK residency rules for taxation, one can be normally resident, not-normally resident, resident or not resident. The 4 states of residency are mutually exclusive, but do not necessarily determine where one is 'domiciled', another synonym for residency. In addition, Directive 2004/38 refers to a right to 'stay' in France (When staying for more than 3 months, you may (but are not obliged) to register at the local Préfecture de Police and obtain a registration certificate ("un certificat d'enregistrement" which the French authorities call "un titre de séjour"). You are no longer required to obtain a residence permit ("une carte de séjour")). Therefore, is the nature of 'staying' a further state of residency? From personal experience, when I eventually got the authorities here to start processing my formulaire FD5 they agreed, on the basis that I was now to be 'un resident en manière permanent', which seems to me to indicate a degree of residency, (superior to the 'non regular' residency) which, after 5 years, gives potential access to the HealthCare system (discussed at length on the other forum board) As I do not have a good understanding of the French bureaucratic rules and definitions, I don't know if all this is of any relevance to one's tax status but I would like to make a case for being non-resident, but not an illegal immigrant. Regards Buster

Powerdesal, two points perhaps:- Your French home would now be your 'secondary residence' and therefore subject to profit-taking (gains) tax on resale? To whom do you declare your income for tax purposes? Buster  

[quote user="cooperlola"] Buster Gutte and Deimos - as you're going to be illegal residents from Monday then why not go the whole hog and not pay your taxes? - might as well do it properly! [/quote] The 2nd postulate would then be: How to 'not  to pay' revenue taxes; be reactive or proactive? 1) REACTIVE: Ignore requests to return the  'Declaration des Revenus' when they arrive this year, or 2)PROACTIVE: Formally request Direction General des Impots that you are no longer resident in France and could he cancel your membership of his tax-club. I know of someone who took option (1) when they left France. DGI 'saisired' their french bank account. Alternatively, option 2 has consequenses (inter alia) that your domicile in france will return to being your 'maison secondaire' thereby subject to profit-taking taxes when you sell. Is there a third, foolproof option? otherwise I'll probably take option (2) and 'return to France' later in life with PHI for six months, before I sell the house rgds Buster

A Postulate (for comment, if you feel you have time) I am an 'inactif' who is domiciled in France. I have 'adequate financial resources in order not become an unreasonable burden on the finances of the receiving State', but I do not have any comprehensive sickness/healthcare cover. As I do not comply with both the conditions of the Directive 2004/38. Article 7, it appears that " I cannot rely on a right of residence in France". My point is, that as I am no longer a legal resident in France, should I be obliged to continue to pay income tax here (ie declare myself as non-resident and no longer submit a déclaration des revenus )?  Buster

Thanks for the comments and advice. I'll talk with her again soon and hope she'll feel more like tackling the problem Buster

I have a friend who is a widow, who came to live in France, with her husband, in late 2004. He died, suddenly, in May 2005 before all the residency forms had been completed, including what would have been their first tax declaration. The notaire, in finalising her husband’s estate  told her that all the tax matters had then been dealt with. Since her husband’s death, she has no revenue; she has lived off her savings, and has never completed a tax declaration. I think she should complete a tax declaration but am afraid she will be punished if she has not done one for two years. Can you advise what she should do and what view the DGI take of such a state of affairs? TIA Buster

Cooperlola Many Thanks - Buster[:)]

Can anyone point me to guidance on completing this form? mainly which of the 4 sections I should fill-in as a 'particulier' without any business connections TIA Buster

Nicktrollope - Thanks for the advice - Buster [:D]

I am a British citizen, retiring to France.  I have just informed my local tax offices, in France and UK, that I will be permanently resident, in France, from April this year. Can you advise if I must fill a tax form(s) (2047 and 2042) this year, for my 2005 revenues, which are still only UK based,  please?

Thanks for all your replies, particularly the sample quotes and contacts - I'm now making the enquiries Regards Buster

I am in the process of obtaining quotes for a 'medium to large' estate car that will be bought and registered in France. Has anyone recently obtained quotes from french insurance companies? What should I expect to pay? I have more than 5 years no-claims, am over 50 yrs of age and 30+ years driving experience. (My UK insurance is about £500 p.a.) Thanks in advance Buster

Miju - Ola! Like you I had little understanding of french TV transmissions, and was very keen to get some 'meteo' information whilst on summer holidays in our cottage. The first thing I did was to 'opportunity shop' in Brico depot, when I saw they were selling an analogue satellite dish and receiver for 50 euros. My friend and I then spent an afternoon wandering round the garden with the dish on a broomstick, trying to point it at a satellite, an hilarious event. Just when we thought we would have to admit that this was not a serious way to go about getting 'telly', the receiver suddenly locked on and we got 6 french channels TF1 2 etc..(you can miss this part of the 'installation programme, as obviously your roof aerial (antenne) works OK.). No English channels are available on this analogue set-up This year, we 'went digital', when, lo and behold, Brico depot were selling a digital dish and receiver for 99 euros. This time we cut out the 'dish on a broomstick' and settled for buying a compass and using an upturned rotary clothes line to mount the dish on. very soon we were receiving all manner of pictures from HotBird Astra2 etc etc. The reason I've gone on a bit is that for simple satellite reception, the 'installation' we found quite easy...BUT I think, if you want a serious or reliable set-up, with no loss of picture in strong winds, or good drying days (we had to give the clothesline back) then you will need a competent installer and have to pay a subscription of some kind H T H  Buster

Thanks for the advice- much appreciated- Buster

I am buying my first car in France and have started looking for insurance quotes . I've read all the current threads in the Forum and it seems like there's a wide variation of experiences, so I thought I'd try 'internet on-line' quotes and direct contact with my local (in France) agents. On the web-site for an insurer, they asked for ""..Coefficient actuel : (Ex. 0.75 ou 1.15) ...". I'm sure that it's to do with the No Claims bonus, but ho do I decide my coefficient ( I have 5 years no claims in UK). By the way, what's french for 'no-claims-bonus' in french insurance speak? T.I.A. Buster