goldcoaster

I have been advised that I can submit tax returns in arrears, and, as I have been paying the full habitation tax and pay my water and electricity bills by direct debit for the past 2 and a half years from my French bank account that I can be classed as resident. I have not earnt any money in France or in Uk since taking possession of the property in Sept 2002. As this is the case I have been told that I will be classed as French resident and therefore not liable to any capital gains tax. Could somebody let me know if I would still be liable for the French social tax of 9/10% and if this other information that I have been given is correct? Thanks. 

Thanks for your advice Will. Do you or anybody else out there know, or have used a good English speaking and competent French tax advisor or accountant that we could speak with and discuss our situation/scenerios with. As you say - even the experts get it wrong sometimes so we really need to talk it through with somebody who knows their way around the French tax laws.

Hi there - I am British but live in Australia. I own a house in the Haute Garonne region as a holiday home.I pay habitation tax and tax fonciere on the property but have never submitted a tax return in France as I have never worked over there. I bought the property in September 2002 and have carried out lots of renovation work so now the property is worth 4 times the amount I paid for it - this means a huge profit margin even allowing for the cost of the renovation works. It is my only residence in Europe and I still have a British passport. I am now looking to sell the property but do not want to have to pay 15% capital gains tax on the profit. I have heard that if you submit a French tax return to prove residency then you are not liable to pay this 'plus value' tax. Could you explain whether this is correct and if so, how do I go about getting a tax form so that I can submit it. Does anyone know when the tax year runs in France so that I can submit it before the end of this financial year if possible. If anyone has any information on the pitfalls of selling a property in France I would be grateful of your comments. I speak very little French so this is a great drawback when having to deal with anyone in authority.