Aly

Details of a new tax on non resident home owners has been announced. The tax will be based on the rental value of the property - I think the figure is 20% http://economicsnewspaper.com/world-economics/tax-reform-the-pied-a-terre-of-foreigners-affected-by-a-new-tax-13299.html Does anyone have info on this.

For info  http://www.connexionfrance.com/Laurent%20Wauquiez-benefits-RSA-social%20security-income%20support-12714-view-article.html

Thanks alot really helpful and clarified things for me

Thanks for the reply. Whats the difference between letting furnished or unfurnished in terms of treatment by the authorities.

I understand that any rent earned from UK property is taxed in the UK but declared in France for the taxe efectif. The gross earnings figure is entered on the French return and the French apply an abatement. Is this still 71% or is it affected by the new rules for meubles tourisme.

Thanks for your comments. We were approached by Sawdays for inclusion but its very pricey. I am not sure its worth it.

Has anyone experience of  being included in the Sawday guides. Have you found it beneficial in terms of bookings etc? Is the cost worth it?

I think this double taxation is unlikely to come to fruition as it would impact freedom of movement plus its already been tried and kicked out . Society needs businesses to grow and thrive. The entire nation cannot work for the state as civil servants. Private enterprise and individuals need to be encouraged not penalised. We have a friend, a decorator, he is so busy that you have to book him for a job in at least 10 months ahead. But he has quit preferring to work for the state painting schools. Less pay but he has holidays, healthcare etc and a lot less hassle.He cannot afford to employ an assistant  as the social charges are to high and he is anxious about having the responsibility that comes with employment rights. Thinks are changing, the next year should be interesting. Sarkozy is keen to harmonise tax with Germany as Frances Fortunes and politics are interlinked with those of its neighbour. I wonder how our rights my be affected in the future - Areas like health care for example and a growing elderly ex pat population. Will  French tax payers be prepared to subsidise these groups in the long term.The Spanish have made big changes and there is growing resentment that hundreds of thousands are benefiting from a health system they contribute little too. One French parliamentarian stated abt the UK they have all our young people and we have all there elderly.

For info: http://www.connexionfrance.com/Tax-exile-exit-capital-gains-profit-Europe-court-ISF-IRF-12571-view-article.html. What will they think of next?

How do you marry up the UK tax return with the French tax return. For example if moved to France in July return is for months to Jan.( six months) UK return is done April to April. Assuming still doing returns for UK declaration i.e. rental income etc.  The UK tax paid  obviously then needs to be declared on French return. Does one need to get a UK return done to show what's due to coincide with the period covered by the  French return or can this be done by calculation. Hope this makes sense?

Has anyone experience of using this site. Our GDF office is proposing membership but its 15% fee so need more info

Interesting article - http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/08/expat-dream-turned-sour-jon-ronson

Thanks. Do you do it annually?

I notice that many UK  banks no longer accept  R105 to stop tax being deducted at source. Has anyone experience of claiming source tax back, and also how easy is this to do?

I often read posts abt cruelty in France. But its also endemic in the UK http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3080800/Hunt-the-sickos-responsible-for-animal-cruelty.html

Tired of constant ironing! Has anyone any advise abt purchasing specialist equipment for pressing bedding.

Its worth saying that if you have a serious illness i.e. cancer, diabetes etc you will receive near enough  full cover

This months connexion paper compared 101 products, from Carrefour and Asda. They took account of range, quantity and own brands to make the comparison fair. Of the 101 products which included meat, fish veg, dairy drinks and toiletries 74 were cheaper in the UK and 52 were even cheaper even after 25% delivery fee was added. they concluded that on a 700 Euro food bill a saving of 100 Euro could be achieved.

Have a friend moving to France in the next few weeks. Have the rules that Sunday driver outlined in this section been implemented. Do people need to register with the local mairie. Or has this been shelved - I know there have been some legal challenges re freedom of movement and Healthcare?

Here is an interesting article abt French consumers views http://www.connexionfrance.com/news_articles.php?id=1348

 Jan I cannot give definitive statements  'But the fresh food in French supermarkets is infinitely better than what you find in Tesco or Sainsbury's'. . I can only give my opinion.

My comments about the fruit and veg are my own experience - perhaps your supermarket is great.  Most people we know only buy fruit and veg in the markets or in smaller shops. Maybe its this that impacts on our supermarkets produce. I agree abt house prices -  But no one is saying France is awful or we don't want to live here. We are simply questioning and debating a huge shift in the cost of living. Its not about an addiction to shopping! How ridiculous!! Food, paint, household goods  do not equate to status. For many its about struggling to survive.

I don't think its about ' not minding ' high prices. Most French are also complaining about the cost of living. I agree weekly shopping is a non starter but like many others I buy many things in the UK and get them posted. Things like electrical goods, DVD's, CD's etc. What I don't understand is why prices are so high here? We have friends who live in Alsace and they along with many of there neighbours cross into Germany to do all the shopping. They save 30% on prices for the same goods. I try to avoid French supermarkets - as I find the quality is poor particularly with Fruit and veg! I agree there are many things, the unexpected that are cheaper here - but its the day to day stuff  - food and household goods that affects us and not things like low cost canal boat passes.

Anyone seen this article abt French cost of living? http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/09/british-expats-france-supermarket-deliveries

Hi There is a very good upto date comparisons in relation to inheritance. http://www.sykesanderson.com/Service_France/articles/inheritance_tax_comparison.asp