Jeff67 Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Hi all, I have read countless threads on the board but so far not found anything specific to our situation. My mother is panicking and worried sick. Long story short... 20 years ago, she bought a 2 acre plot of woodland in the mountains south of Carcassonne. It was intended to be used by the family for camping holidays, but it's never been used at all. It has fruit trees/orchard on it, and the previous owner harvested fruit and honey from bee hives on the land. Due to financial troubles and the fact it's not being used, she has just sold it this morning. It's taken a year, and the notaires have not mentioned any taxes to pay at all. She has never paid any tax on the land and has never received a single bill from any government office in France regarding the land. But today, just as the sale completed, the agent sent an email and mentioned "taxe fonciere" which was the first I or my mum have ever heard of such a thing! The seller (20 yrs ago) said there were no taxes to pay on the land and she never looked further into it. No bills received so assumed until TODAY that this was correct! Maybe it is, but the agent got her very worried that she may not get a bill for MORE than the total she is getting by selling the land, causing her to land herself with debts rather than some spare cash! The land sold today for half what she paid for it 20 yrs ago! I have spent all day trying to find answers but no good. So, if anyone can help (because Google can't!).. How do you actually find out if tax is payable on a plot of land? Is there a way? I can't find one! I told her that from my research, the likelihood is that no fonciere tax was payable because it's agricultural land, but even if it was, she would have received a bill long ago! Also I told her that the notaires are some of the most reliable tax collectors for the French state, and IF anything was owed to the taxman, they would surely pay it before releasing any funds to her after the sale. But I am far from sure, just trying to help her sleep tonight! I'd welcome any opinions on here by those more experienced/knowledgeable than myself. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveLister Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Okay first things first, virtually all land is subject to taxe fonciere BUT the tax on non developed land in usually very small. To give an example, around ten years ago, I bought a hectare ( 21/2 acres ) of land ( mixed woodland and agricole ) and I've just checked last years fonciere bill and it was 23 euros. I remember at the time of purchase our Notaire wasn't that interested merely saying, 'it's a few euros a year'. Taxe fonciere is the responsibility of whoever owns the land on the 1st January. It might just be that the estate agent is reminding your mother that she'll be liable for the taxe fonciere bill this year if and when it arrives in November. If I were you I'd wait until the bill arrived before worrying. However if you want to get a definitive answer now you could contact CENTRE DES IMPOTS FONCIER Carcassonne Centre des finances publiquesCité administrativePlace Gaston Jourdanne 11807 Carcassonne Cedex 9 tel: 04 68 77 44 44 Email: [email protected] Tell your mother not to worry, I'm sure it'll be fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anotherbanana Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Be guided by the notaire who is a tax collector. They will tell you is anything is due; whichever, it will be very little if anything. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff67 Posted August 10, 2023 Author Share Posted August 10, 2023 Two excellent responses, thank you very much indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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