makfai

[quote user="Ron Avery"] marky wrote .....    "What if you pay 8% social charges on investment income can you be in the state system?  If you cannot join the state system do you still pay the 8% social charges". There is no connection whatsoever betweeen social charges and the health care contributions. Social charges are payments towards the provision of French social services and are based on unearned income declared on your tax return, not earned income. Healthcare charges are for healthcare and based on total income.  Payment of the former does not give any rights to the latter.  In fact if the level of income is such that you do not "earn" enough to have to pay for healthcare it seems from what is being said, you may now be excluded from the French healthcare system and have to pay for it or get insurance, but still have to pay social charges on unearned income.  [/quote] Maybe I am totally confused here [8-)] and if I am I don't want to confuse others so please feel free to correct this post but, as I understood it;   under existing arrangements the 8% goes to the CMU which (as outlined below) 'was established by the Government in 2000 to ensure those all persons regularly resident in France were eligible for medical cover, whatever their circumstances.' In which case you might well be contributing to the CMU even though you are 'not employed.'   So, as 'The contribution of 8% is charged on all household income above the threshold of €7,083 per household/annum, a figure that is revised each October' then, depending on their household income it is possible for some non-employed persons to be paying more than someone who is employed.   http://www.french-property.com/guides/france/public-services/health/cmu/#3.1   3. Couverture Maladie Universelle (CMU) The CMU was established by the Government in 2000 to ensure those all persons regularly resident in France were eligible for medical cover, whatever their circumstances. Those from within the EU currently resident but 'non-active' in France, are affiliated to the CMU. However, changes to the rules have been introduced in 2007. In future, if you are proposing to retire to France under the age of retirement, you will only be permitted access to the CMU whilst you have State insurance cover from the UK (or other EU country). Once this insurance cover expires (normally after two years) you will not be permitted access to the CMU, which will be restricted to those of retirement age. You will need to take out private medical insurance. If you take employment or start a business, and you subsequently lose your employment or business, then you will be permitted access into the CMU to provide your health insurance cover, whilst you seek new employment or business activity. 3.1 Contribution Level into CMU 3.2 Registration Process 3.3 CMU Protection Complémentaire 3.4 Voluntary Insurance Credit 3.1. Contribution Level into CMU If you are of state retirement age, in receipt of a State pension, and from the EEA, affiliation to the CMU is free. Otherwise the contribution level is 8% of household income above a basic threshold. The contribution of 8% is charged on all household income above the threshold of €7,083 per household/annum, a figure that is revised each October. So, you will pay 8% of your net income above this figure - your income after deduction of eligible allowances as determined by the tax authority.    

Does the issue here relate to "non-workers" no matter how much their income is and what they contribute via taxes etc?  I suspect that some (OK a minority) may be declaring more in income than some workers and that the formers' contribution (because of the actual value of their %) might be higher. If the legislation is specifically referring to "non-workers" rather than 'non-contributors'  it seems a bit odd. I would have thought the best approach was to set a minimum contribution rate and people not meeting it automatically based on their tax assessments (or even voluntarily if they fell below thresholds on the tax side but wanted to 'opt-in') would then be excluded. However, I don't know!!! Pass the Valium while I can afford it!!  

While on the subject of security the question of data stored in sat navs has recently been raised again.  The advice is not to store your actual home address but something like your home town.  Or maybe the local police station/gendarme barracks!....or your next door neighbour's address if you don't like them![6] Here is a previous article. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=430372&in_page_id=1770&ct=5

Just read this in the DT http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/25/wbasque125.xml

Do you rub the WD40 in? If not how do you get rid of the residue and stop it staining your trousers?

[quote user="Philouis"] To many readers of this thread, it is a joke. [/quote] I don't think anyone thinks the problem is a joke...many of us on here will be of an age that we have (to some degree) experience of creaking joints (I am certainly a fully paid up member of the glucosomine brigade!)... but on the other hand, you have to admit that the suggested solution of WD40 (no pun intended by the word 'solution') does conjure up some 'interesting' thoughts on products which could be put to other uses! For example, maybe 'Fly Spray' could be of use to those gentlemen who would like to be more active with the ladies. 'Air Freshener'  for those who may be becoming follicly challenged 'Thread Lube'  for those who keep forgetting what they were going to say. 'Contact Cleaner' for getting rid of nuisance visitors 'Auto Polish' for people who want a car to clean itself 'Toilet Duck' for those bird fowl lovers who can't afford a full size pond 'Weed Killer' for those who want to take extreme action against the neighbour's pet which uses their garden as a toilet 'Windolene' a cleaner for those with slim windows   perhaps I should give up now! [6]  

The incontinent may also wish to try 'Holt's Damp Start' in the mornings [:D] Those with more adventurous sex lives might also be interested in 'Three-in-one oil'  [;-)]     Original article here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,11040-2007370898,00.html  and WD40's view here http://www.wd40.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=14    

I have see posts like this before and wonder if there is any value in putting up lightening conductors on or near more susceptible properties as a preventive measure?

The lack of email addresses is a scam! For companies in the UK the following now applies but I am not sure about companies regd in Eire etc   Information that must be on your website The following is the minimum information that must be on any company's website (from OUT-LAW's guide, The UK's Ecommerce Regulations). The name, geographic address and email address of the service provider. The name of the organisation with which the customer is contracting must be given.  This might differ from the trading name. Any such difference should be explained – e.g. "XYZ.com is the trading name of XYZ Enterprises Limited." It is not sufficient to include a 'contact us' form without also providing an email address and geographic address somewhere easily accessible on the site. A PO Box is unlikely to suffice as a geographic address; but a registered office address would. If the business is a company, the registered office address must be included. If a company, the company's registration number should be given and, under the Companies Act, the place of registation should be stated (e.g. "XYZ Enterprises Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 1234567") If the business is a member of a trade or professional association, membership details, including any registration number, should be provided. If the business has a VAT number, it should be stated – even if the website is not being used for e-commerce transactions. Prices on the website must be clear and unambiguous. Also, state whether prices are inclusive of tax and delivery costs. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/21/new_web_email_regulation/

Thanks for that

Does anyone know if, in France, there are any Insurance Assessors who work on behalf of the policyholder rather than for the insurance company? I know there are some in the UK (e.g http://www.trumanassociates.co.uk/) but I don't know if there is a similar ' industry' in France.

        Further to my last post, I have just (today!) used this High Strength Stain Remover to remove a (very stubborn!)rust stain from non-glazed tiles.  No sign of rust now. Simple to use, no scrubbing required.  Previous scrubbing with other products didn't work. http://www.yachtpaint.com/france/default.asp Click Produits d’entretien (gamme Yacht Line) and Choose Gelcoat Cleaner/Stain Remover  

Some info at http://www.pavingexpert.com/stains.htm

I have been having an interesting (read 'challenging') exchange of views with Harley Davidson (UK) since buying a bike from them earlier this year.  Here is a much abbreviated version.   At the time of purchase I explained I needed the appropriate documentation (whatever that was - expecting them to know!) to re-register the bike in France. They said all I needed from HD was a Certificate of Conformity (COC) and I asked for one in French.   Several weeks later (after the bike had been delivered)  I was told I could have a COC in English free of charge but if I wanted a French one I would have to pay for a translation to be made.  HD UK said that even in France a COC was issued in English and French ones did not exist.  I queried this with HD France and found out that they issue a COC either on French or English depending on the circumstances.  HD France also went on to say:   The COC in English language is only the passeport of the bike in Europe between these countries. But in France for example to register the bike or the car (same process), the customer need to receive from the subsidiary or importer a other document (attestation d'identification pour véhicules importés conformes à un type communautaire). On this document you have of course a lot of info from the English COC but also the CNIT number for French law! Prefecture need this document to be sure that they can register the bike.   After further correspondence HD France said   Please send us these documents below and we will offer you the certificate that you need. We need Copy of your V5 is the bike is register or your COC if this is a new bike. Copy of your passport or identity card If this is a new bike we need also a copy of the invoice (to check that you are the owner)   The delay is about 2 to 3 weeks (summer period) but we will do the best for you. Have a good day   Best regards Didier Coursaux Technical ManagerHarley-Davidson et Buell France   I have to say that the courtesy and efficiency with which my queries were dealt with by HD France was of an excellent quality!  Replies within hours.  NOT something you find with HD UK who (interestingly) appear to contract Customer Service to http://www.arvatoloyalty.com/. The Arvato Loyalty Services Limited representative was not too happy with me querying the HD UK position he had presented to me and suggested (in an email to a colleague which sadly for him was copied to me by mistake by a third party) that I was 'starting to pick holes in every thing we are telling him'. I pointed out that I was not picking holes - just trying to get an accurate and complete answer to questions I had put to him...for example, when they knew I was going to France why did they put in the COC the National Code in for Germany.  I still have not had an answer! I would like to say a thank you to people on this Forum whose experiences and knowledge have helped me steer a path through various bits of 'dodgy' info on this topic.  The link from Sunday Driver to http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/lois_decrets_et_circulaires/2002/INTD0200166C.pdf/downloadFile/file/INTD0200166C.pdf?nocache=1160493047.56 was particularly helpful in my 'negotiations'.

I have taken up this matter with Harley Davidson UK as it was HD which issued my CofC.  Interestingly on my CofC there is - in para 57 'Fiscal power or National Code Numbers(s)'-  only an entry for 'Germany' when they knew I was taking it to France!  Don't know why they don't fill them all in with the data. I also found the UK's VCA site valuable as it sets out details of the EC agreement: http://www.vca.gov.uk/vehicletype/type-approval-for-mo.asp

I have a Cert of Conformity for my bike which I purchased in UK.  Surely the whole idea of this is that I can use it when I go to register it abroad.  Do I have to go to a French dealer to get another one when I arrive with my bike?

Is it possible to ask the UK to supply the French Cert of Conformity Number rather than get a full French CofC?  Could Suzuki UK/Honda UK not email their French equivalent and get the reference?   Forgot to ask...where can the CNIT no be found?

Scooters are boring??????? [6][6][6] Has anyone seen/tried the Piaggio MP3 http://londonbikers.com/articles/46200bfd-2889-4f4a-a8dc-cc8323f6c14d Video of it filtering from the MCN reporter who had it on test http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/May/may15-20/may1507mp3filteringvideo/ A more promotional type video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zJwRbQHCZU A US take on it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjPEu0n2Kbc At the car wash! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKT4_dDblzk&mode=related&search= 40 degree lean...that is more than my HD!...and they are supposed to be bringing out higher cc models (a 400cc I believe -currently 125 and 250cc and Gilera already do a 500cc http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/mag5/art20070515/htm/mobil-moto-gilera-fuoco-500.htm   Or what about the US 3 wheeler?... the 'V' Twin Can Am Spyder  is no 'creepie crawly' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkPVqGuj_V0&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s40RtrK3lN0&mode=related&search=    

A rather technical question I am sorry to say. [:(] We own a second home (in which our son now lives) in UK. The property is in my name and I want to convert it to both my and my wife’s names.  We were married well before the property became mine (following the death of my father) but through an oversight during the disposal of the estate the property was placed in just my name. We have never bothered changing it but thought we might do so now.  I have been advised that in the event we eventually sell our second home in UK that (if there is any liability for Capital Gains Tax in France) as the property has been owned for over 15 years there will be no CGT to pay.    Does anyone know if this 15 year rule will be affected if I change ownership to both names?  Will they still take into account the time my wife will not have been an ‘official’ owner?   For example, a) if I pre-decease her will my previous ownership count if she sells after I die? or b) if we sell before either dies will the ownership be interpreted as having started on commencement of the joint ownership? or c) if we sell before either dies would my wife have to pay CGT on ‘her half’ if the house is sold before 15 years has elapsed after her name had been added?  

Pleasure..hope your search is successful.  The problem with France is being spoiled for choice!

Any use? http://www.saynoto0870.com/

Francis...have sent you a pm

Don't recognise the man but...[;-)]

I think they have just started with a map of the British Isles...enlarged Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man...thrown it at the wall and this is what stuck!

http://www.manxradio.com/ http://iomtt.com/ http://iomtt.com/TT-2007/TT-Live.aspx