[Should we pay for a mutuelle?]

Hi!

what do you call 100% cover?

Do you mean that you have an illness which is recognized ALD ( Affection de Longue Durée)?

If that is the case the cover ( except franchises ) concerns only that illness, and nothing else.

If in general hospital costs in France for operation are covered by the CMU ( except Euro 16 per dat for upkeep) there are case where in hospital you can be confronted at costs over Euro 1440 a day at your sole charge, so if you can not afford a top-up, and you do not qualify for a free top-up ( means tested ), you would be ill counselled not to have at least a hospital top up.

See here the small program:

http://www.capisante.com/simulateur-remboursements-yahoo.php

You can test what a top-up will cover

See here what you can pay in specific cases, so hat you program entries are not theoretical.

http://www.ameli.fr/assures/search.php?q=tarif+consulation

Yours,

giantpanda

[Exchange rate for tax.]

Hi!

Legally it is the "cooperla" answer - the rate at the date you received the money.

But in practice it has been different;

- Some tax offices accepted the rate per 31.12.

- Sole tax offices issued their own average rate of exchange.

Now for the coming declaring, since the variations are much greater than in the past, if you absolutely not want to use, the day rate, then you can also call the Tax Office and ask, what rate they suggest. Some of course will say the day rate.

Yours,

giantpanda

[tax on rental income from leaseback property]

Hi!

As you will find the matter is rather complex - it will also depend on how the contracts are worded;

In all case ( but only in French, unless you happen to catch the " perle rare " who speaks English  ) you will be able to get free information, if you go to your local Tax Office ( on consumers' day - usually in the morning ).

This is quite a normal procedure in France, and there are no qualms to have about this.

Yours,

giantpanda

[New rules for Unemployment Benefit in France]

Hi!

Qui va samo , va piono.

As written it could be agreed on in Junuary:

Aucune confédération syndicale ne s'est prononcée dans l'immédiat sur

une signature ou non de cet accord. Chacune renvoyant à la décision de

ses instances au mois de janvier.

At present the Trade Unions do not quite seem to like the " agreement " text.

Yours,

giantpanda

[French bank account or UK euro offshore account?]

Hi!

Here the details from!

http://www.pratique.fr/argent/banque/daf1201.htm

chèque postdaté : il est interdit de faire un chèque en y portant une

fausse date. De plus, si le chèque est présenté avant la date indiquée,

il sera quand même payé par la banque (ou si c'est impossible,

considéré comme un chèque sans provision) ;

So:

- not allowed ( with any wrong date )

- such a cheque can be presented immediately

- if no money on the account, it will be considered as not covered ( with all the consequences)

Yours,

giantpanda

[French bank account or UK euro offshore account?]

Hi!

You do not necessarily need to have a French account. It is not an obligation.

But how do you suggest paying taxes and utility bills?

You will hardly find these are prepared to collect from foreign accounts. And money transfers can generate costs at the receiver end, unless you can provide for this, by making a special transfer ( if your bank does it ).

Yours,

giantpanda

[Super U loyalty card points]

Hi!

Are you certain that the ruling you have posted applies generally, or just locally to your specific  Supermarket?

If  it was the case ( i.e; it applied everywhere) , I am certain that your suggestion  would be more generally known and publicised by associations.

But I could be wrong.

Yours,

giantpanda

[Tax rebates on various renovation projects]

Hi!

As written, the Euro 8000 does not include labour costs.

Initially the law was made to boost business for artisan and smaller firms. Now the ecological aspect is taking the overhand.

These days, it would have been worth considering a certain opening of the "crédits d'impôts" , if the State had been prepared to pay ( which mean all taxpayers, with extra taxes ) these costs.

Yours,

giantpanda

[Tax rebates on various renovation projects]

Hi!

The items which qualify for " crédits d'impôts " have just changed ( last week )  for the coming years. Basically what you have built in ( only valid for the résidence principale, done by a firm and only valid for the material value - and that under conditions.

From 2009 it is also valid for rental premises ( max. 3 ) but you would require to have your main residence in France ( whereby that would have to be checked. Again also under certain rental levels for the flats.

Certain norms have to be respected.

So best wait a little, or ask as precise question, to get full details.

As regards the sum you can invest, it was limited to

- Euro 8000 per person for the whole period 1.1.2005 till 31.12.2009.

- Now it has been changed to the same sum from 1.1.2005 till 31.12.2013, but only taking in the last 5 years.

As alternative you can get for eco transformations of your main residence a tax free credit ( not as the same time as the crédit d'impôts) in 2009 up to Euro 30,000 for 7 or 8 years - full details are not yet out.).

Yours,

giantpanda

[Do I need a déclaration préalable for a Polytunnel?]

Hi!

In the past: permis prélable.

Now - see table:

http://www.fnphp.com/sites/fnphp/veille_juridique/droit_rural/construction_de_chassis_et_serres___permis_de_construire_ou_declaration_prealable__.aspx

If you require aform you can download here ( look a the number of copies required to file )

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/pme/R17501.xhtml

Yours,

giantpanda

[Keeping a French Bank Account when no longer in France]

Hi!

You do not need to close it

But it is essential that you contact directly ( talk ) the bank, because they have to change your file.

Yours,

giantpanda

PS. If you have for example tax free saving accounts you will not be able to keep them - but talk about the question till when you legally can hold them - it may be up to the end of the year ).

[Which are the cheapest supermarkets?]

Hi!

See here:

http://www.orange.fr/bin/frame.cgi?u=http%3A//mobile.orange.fr/content/ge/high/v2_offre_boutique/doc_tarif/documentation_tarif.html

But if you want to check for you, which is the cheapest, than make your standard trolley.

And check with the different outlets, what it the total cost.

Of course, things get complicated, if you do not stick to branded articles, because quality will not be necessarily comparable.

In general with Aldi or Lidl, you will fare pretty well.

But for example if you compare the regular Lidl price, and the price of Leclerc Eco ( which is not necessarily the same quality, and it not always available) you will find the Eco product will be a few centimes cheaper.

Yours,

giantpanda

[Sarkozy asks - should banks be allowed to operate offshore!!!!! -]

Hi!

A completed theoretical question.

In practice, this is hardly possible.

Where he to impose this in France, where would it put French banks in the international competition.

His affirmation is only to increase the control on tax havens.

Yours,

giantpanda

[French Telecom charges?]

Hi!

It will depend on:

1. What sort of telephone you use ( fix or portable ) you use.

2. It will depend on what sort of telephone you call ( fix or portable )

3. It will depend from call box, or from home.

4. From home, it will depend, on what sort of  contract you have.

See the tariff catalogue:

http://www.orange.fr/bin/frame.cgi?u=http%3A//mobile.orange.fr/content/ge/high/v2_offre_boutique/doc_tarif/documentation_tarif.html

Yours,

giantpanda

[Making a small saving on medicines]

Hi!

If the medecine exist in larger packings, one should ask for it - goof top ) , since it is possibly not the interest of the chemist to give you the larger packing.

I am afraid that this is rather an exception.

Will test next time.

Yours,

giantpanda

[Eurotunnel back to normal]

Hi!

Here is what the French write:

http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-France/Societe/Tunnel-sous-la-Manche-retour-a-la-normale-en-fevrier/(gid)/186712

Latest 15th February ( if the work in process goes to plan ).

Yours,

giantpanda

[Book on paying tax in France]

Hi!

Stop looking for a book in English for  income taxation purposes ( exceptions would be just one on the principles ), because it is by definition out of date, taking the time for publication.

In French, if you want to be up to date, you have nearly each financial paper or monthly, that publishes a: How to declare you current income?

These are available usually in January at newsagents, or even in supermarket.

I would personally recommend: Le Particulier  Impôts 2008 ( that is the coming one ) Guide de la Déclaration de Revenus ( about 280 pages - price ( last one ) Euro 7.

Yours,

giantpanda

[Cheque d'emploi]

Hi!

It can be either /or - depending on the case.

What you are looking for is a crédit d'impôts, which gives you a refund:

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F12.xhtml?&n=Emploi,%20travail&l=N5&n=Particulier%20employeur&l=N453

Yours,

giantpanda

[How long to get attestation after handing in E106?]

Hi!

It depends:

-on the office

-on their work load.

1st you get a paper " attestation"  which is basic just as " good " as the Carte Vitale, which then could take a further month ( or more because of Christmas ).

Yopurs,

giantpanda

[Brits Moving From USA]

Hi!

To be understood as equivalent of the CMU, with covers basically 70% ( except operation costs at 100% ) if you take abstraction of the franchises.

Yours,

giantpanda

NB. Nobody knows really how this is controlled, and appreciated.

Has anybody any experience here?

[Brits Moving From USA]

Hi!

If you have both British passports, there are nno problems, except the question of the Health Insurance.

Since you will not be able to bring an E106 ( having worked the last years in the EC), you will be required to have a equivalent ( to the French CMU )  Health Insurance.

In all cases you should have a formal lease, to avoid any problems.

See here.

[url=http://larecherche.service-public.fr/df/oxide?criteriaContent=location+meubl%E9e&Rechercher.x=0&Rechercher.y=0&Rechercher=tous&page=resultssprubs&action=launchsearch&DynRubrique=&DynCorpus=&DynDomain=SP]Location meublée[/url]

Since your friend will be getting a rent, they will have to declare the income in their next year's income tax declaration.

Since you would be French fiscal residents, you would if you came this year, have to make an income tax return , for the period ;Date of arrival till End of 2009 ( to be sent in 30.5.2009). Notwithstanding for this you do not have to preregister - The tax number is only given with a 1st declaration ( which is voluntary, compulsory).

Yours,

giantpanda

[Living Will]

Hi!

The process of changing the present French regulations is on the move.

At present, the only provision you can take, it that you can refuse " l'acharnement thérapeutique " ( to be added to the " dossier médical ")

http://www.hopital.fr/Hopital/L-hopital-et-vous/La-fin-de-vie/Les-droits-du-malade-en-fin-de-vie-et-de-sa-famille/Le-refus-de-l-acharnement-therapeutique

a later version if it was accepted ( see the next pages ) :

http://www.e-sante.fr/autres-informations-sante-fin-vie-votee-assemblee-acharnement-therapeutique-oui-dignite-NN_8157-99-1.htm

Yours,

giantpanda

[Air Conditioner 50% refund]

Hi!

You need to go into details with the firm that fits them -

There have been this year many claims from the Tax Office (wanting the money back ) concerning Air/Air ones, for "crédit d'impôt" paid in previous years.

Notwithstanding, they have just received instructions,to stand down.

This will hardly be valid for the future.

Here what the State ruling writes.

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/F1221.xhtml

As regards the rates, difficult to say anything, since the matter is coming up in December before the Parliament, and there could be at least a reduction against this year.

See more information.

http://www.3x-consulting.fr/pompe_a_chaleur_air_air_chauffage_et_climatisation_reversible_5.html

Yours,

giantpanda

[French equivalent of our GP's]

Hi!

You have forgotten a very important charge: insurance.

I do not know the rates for GP, but specialists can pay over Euro 4000 a month to over Euro 11,000 a month ( chirug).

Yours,

giantpanda

[Sulpher fumes from woodburner]

Hi!

It can come from the wood!

Clean the stove.

Can you take wood from a different lot, to check?

Yours,

giantpanda