John frobisher

The Connexion are not always an ill-informed source of information, although it is true that some of their contributors are themselves ill-informed, but then its not surprising as (a) unknowingly doing things wrong and getting away with it doesn't make the thing right (b) you've got people of one profession writing about another's, its like a plumber explaining how to wire a relay switch. The other thing is that the french tax authorities have never published an average exchange rate - not surprising since the law says its the rate on the day that counts. They do publish end of month and quarter exchange rates for businesses, and yes, other organistions do publish average rates. I gather that the average rates should be out this or next week.

I don't see why there is all this fuss every year ! The law says that the conversion rate to be used is that on the day that the income is banked. For proof - get hold of a copy of the 2047 tax form notes booklet that comes with the 2047 tax form, and look at page 2, note II, you'll see that it says it there as well. (The 2047 form is the one for income earned from outside of France). Whilst the Connexion may get their information from Mr. Annett, as the tax offices only deal with local FRENCH issues and not international issues, I think its far wiser to ignore their comments, especially as the person giving the information is probably not appropriately qualified. If you read the answers in the financial section of the Connexion you'll have seen also how many times tax office comments are proven to to be wrong. The same thing happens in the UK anyway, call the local tax office and they'll tell you one thing about international stuff, then call the Nottingham NR office and they'll tell you something else. You may also have noted if you have bought the tax guide thing from the Connexion that they say the tax offices are prepared to accept an average exchange rate as they don't have the time to check all exchange rates used by all foreigners. Seems logical. But someone tells me that the tax authorities may be issuing their own annual average conversion rates to cut fiscal fraud and people using different rates. That would end all problems ! Except that the rate will probably be to the tax office's advantage !!!