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With profit bonds - I am fairly sure that our accountant said unless we cashed them in we did nothing - but at cashing in point they had to be declared.  Ouch!   Jan

We have just bought one at Castorama - €279 and since seen one at Bricomarche €259.  It was very easy to install ourselves and works well.   Jan

Thank you all for your help. I was not asking about a 10 year rule - it is just the time we will be in France before my husband or I reach retirement age. I have contacted UK pensions and indeed we are eligible - in fact if we have not received paperwork 4 months before my husband reaches retirement age, we should contact them Thank you all for your help. Jan

We arrived in France 2 years ago and are just about the end our free medical care on an E106.  We will start paying for medical care for the next few years until my husband reaches 65 years old.  All this I understand.  What do we do then - presumably we will not be eligible for a E121 as we will have been out of the country for 10 years.  How do we convert onto 'free retirement' cover.  My husband is in receipt of a UK govt pension at present. Jan  

I run a cheque book d'emploi and find that the cheque face value is approx 63% of the total amount.   Jan

Why don't you just pick up an AOL trial disc and use it for a month and then cancel it! We have an internet cafe in our town - Civray 86400.   Jan

I had received a letter stating my E106 would not be renewed.  My husband received his new E106.  We went to the CPAM in October with them and were asked to come back in January. My husband is having an operation in early January so I telephoned the CPAM to ask what docs we needed to bring in.  A lovely lady (Poitiers) asked us in that morning - bringing my refusal letter and his new E106.  She produced new attestation forms there and then while we waited.  I have been transferred onto his number, and his card will be returned in 5 days and my new one within a month. You have to take documents to the CPAM.  We have found them to be very helpful and if anything they believe delays are at the English end.  She has already told us to turn up October 2005 with my husband's refusal for renewal of E106 (We know we will no longer be entitled) and she will then give us the correct form so that we are automatically up and running in January.  This depends on a tax declaration for 2004 in March 2005.  I hope this of some help.   Jan

Can somebody confirm please that I am only liable for French tax on the annual increase in value of PEPs and ISAs; the tax being offset by an annual allowance?  Am I also right in thinking that this liability for tax only starts with the valuation of PEPs and ISAs on arrival in France?   Jan

I am stunned that so many people in France feel that they can run around in UK registered cars when they are indeed living in France.  You are fiscally resident here after a reasonably short period and so if resident why not deal with the car. You cannot run a French car in UK for a year - why do we think we can do it in France? It is the same with taxes, medical and TV licences.  I do not believe that the majority of people are living in ignorance.  There are so many publications stating the rules.  The adverts are on UK TV re licencing cars - come on everyone - get real. I personally am delighted that the rules are being enforced.  I would never 'shop' anyone but I am tired of my neighbours who have been here for five, eight, twelve ..... years and are still running cars without control techniques.  Also their french insurance is not valid if they have an accident.  They all have enough French when they reap the advantages of living here.

I know someone who has a small flat in Civray - email me if you want details.  Off street parking and indeed storage in a garage. [email protected]

In answer to whether you should or should not fill in a tax return if you are in receipt of a Government pension, the answer is 'yes'.  This is infact our case.   Before our summons to the tax office, we had received advice to declare before they came looking for us.  If I were you, I would go into the Hotel des Impots and tell them that you had not realised that you had to fill in a tax return because you felt that it as you owed no tax you were not liable.  They will draw a line and then ask you to fill in for last 2004 - or perhaps one for 2003 late.  What you will succeed in doing, is preventing them from thinking that you have something to hide.  I have read on this forum of several people who have been investigated for a long period.  This is what you want to avoid. You actually do not have to even give them what your pension is- however it is what your health cover etc is worked out on when you E106 ceases to be.  If I can be of help, do email me. Jan

It would appear that in the Vienne everyone who has just paid taxe foncieres is now being asked to visit the Hotel des Impots and discuss their tax situation generally if they are not already paying income tax. We went along and were dealt with very pleasantly.  We were asked about our house, date of arrival, if it was a house secondaire, etc etc etc.  We were asked to sign to say we acknowledged our tax situation and that we would be expected to ask for a form (not wait for one to arrive) next March.  It was a pleasant, informative, helpful meeting which left us in no doubt of what our obligations are. It is obvious that there is a determined effort going on to 'be on top of the situation' and we thought it was very pleasantly carried out with no feeling of threat at all. Well done to the staff in our Tax office - Civray! Jan  

.... I meant Dunkerque to Dover ..... with Norfolk lines.   Jan

I have been delighted to find a crossing from Dunkerque to Calais for a large camper van for only £89.  It is a late summer offer and outstanding especially for a camper.   Jan

We are in the same boat - tax free commutation of pension (in UK) but since arriving in France.  Can anyone advise. Jan