Brian -there must be a way

It might be worth going to see a Huissier de Justice who operates as a sort of mediator in legal cases.  Their advice is free and they hold a lot of "sway" within the system.  Look in the 'phone book to find your nearest one.  I know what you mean about wondering if it's worth proceeding with the case, sometimes the trip is just far too debilitating.  I guess you need to ask yourself if you can happily just "let it go" or if the injustice of it all would eat away at you.  Whatever you decide, the very best of luck. Sue not Brian

My son is also 5 years old and in maternelle.  What you have described is pretty accurate for him too.  I have had two other children in the English education system from the age of 5 and although the content of the school day is totally different I would say that the intentions are broadly similar. But, and it's a big but, school in France will never be attempting to help a child think for itself.  That's where all foreign children score not just the English ones.  They come from backgrounds where survival of the fittest means you have to learn to problem solve.  Don't forget, French schools are attempting to deliver good little citizens into the community.  In my opinion our kids are lucky, they get the best of both worlds.  By the way, I would think that your daughter is learning to read.  Word recognition is an old fashioned but very tried and tested way of doing this, it's certainly the way I learned in Africa where I grew up. Sue not Brian

[quote]not in a position to buy anything yet - still waiting for the date for the Acte de Vente Love the furniture, please do publish a price list - if we need an ébéniste you're at the top of the list!Can ...[/quote] What a typically English question that is!  Do you ask the milkman for discount if you provide your own bottles?  I do so hope the answer to your question is "no"! Sue not Brian

Not had experience of this, but how would it benefit you?  If you have children they are the successors of either of you not just both.  There are so many ways to get over this problem without jumping in with a knee jerk reaction which nearly always backfires in France!!  Sue not Brian

[quote]The last time I did this was when transferring our accounts from Credit Agricole in the Haute-Loire to what is now Credit Agricole Nord Midi-Pyrenees. I went to the bank in person, where I was told th...[/quote] What's this?!  50 centimes for visiting an account via internet.  My God, no wonder my account's always so close to the edge!  Are you absolutely sure about this - does it say it anywhere in the account information? Sue not Brian

Dear Minidigger, Here in the South East we paid  500 euros for a days work .  Often when I read contributions to this forum I see a marked difference in prices according to the area of France. C'est la vie!!! Sue not Brian

16% on the capital gain i.e. the difference between the purchase and sale price and  if this is the first sale since new then 19.6% TVA on the difference between the TVA able amounts.  For example if the property was built for 100,000 then the TVA portion of that is 100,000 divided by 1.196 then multiplied by 0.196.  Do the same calculation with the sale price and then take one from the other. Sue not Brian

your birth and marriage certificates maybe? Sue not Brian

If your teacher is registered s/he will have to charge around 25 euros per hour.   Like anyone else a freelance language teacher needs to register with the appropriate authorities (in this case URSSAF) and pay cosisations accordingly.  My opinion (for what it's worth)!! is that a really good teacher is worth their weight in gold. Sue not Brian

We have now taken professional advice re this question and maybe we can share it with others.  A house under five years old which is sold for the first time has a TVA liability which the Notaire will collect from the seller .  This liability is based on the TVA element of the sale price minus Immobliers fees.  The TVA element of the  original purchase price (building price) is deducted from this and what's left is the sellers liability.  There is no sliding scale, the liability remains in full until a period of five years has elapsed.  Presumably the "powers that be" are aware of the profits that can be made on a sale such as this and have acted accordingly.  Giving with one hand and taking away with the other is something they are so good at (whichever country you live in).  Anyway, that's the story in Balamory today.................... Brian

Hi folks, tried to post on multiple forums but got stuck on South Eastern France, if you have any knowledge of this subject please see my posting on SE.  Thanks Brian

Hi all, I've tried a search for this info. but no good.  Also searched on Google but am even more confused.  Story in a nutshell - Bought land 2001.  Had house built by French construction company completed March 2003.  Bought and installed kitchen ourselves, various other improvements to the original shell including a swimming pool.  We want to sell now since we need to release capital for a business venture.  We understand that we have no CGT liability since this is our only home and we have made two consecutive tax returns and have our CdS however, we do have a TVA liability and I wonder if anyone can tell us how this is worked out.  We paid TVA on the original build of 19.6%.  Do we work it out on the difference between the original purchase price (where does the price of the land come into this since it was purchased earlier) and can we include the cost of the improvements, i.e. kitchen, swimming pool etc.  Something in the back of my mind tells me that you can't include decoration.  Has anyone been down this road with experience they'd like to share? Brian