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I have been given the details of a French accountant by my UK accountants and contacted them with a few questions on how to structure my financial affairs so as to minimize my tax exposure.  I also dangled handling my on-going French returns as an incentive to cough up some free advice (worth a try anyway...).

Briefly, I received an email with an additional question 2 days later, together with a promise to get back to me within a week.  I replied immediately but heard nothing for a fortnight so fired off a "wonder if you've had any thoughts" email.  Now I've finally had a reply telling me that the boss man has been discussing my affairs with one  of his employees and that it will cost 1,100 euros for his initial advice and an as yet undisclosed amount for annual returns.

This certainly seems steep based on what I've been used to in England - is he trying it on or does this seem about right for France?

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[quote]I have been given the details of a French accountant by my UK accountants and contacted them with a few questions on how to structure my financial affairs so as to minimize my tax exposure. I also da...[/quote]

French taxation is exquisitely complex and no way would I use a UK accountant, even for a recommendation!

My accountant charges 30€/hr - I've no idea what his Chef would charge, but I suppose that 1.100€ is plausible for very complex advice. I'd be surprised if your tax situation, as a recent immigrant, would be this complex.

Suggest you contact another accountant (someone will be able to recommend one, there are plenty about!) - for a quote.

 

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The figure you mention seems to be on the high side of normal, though not exorbitant. As with all such things, if you want good advice, you have to be prepared to pay for it - if you go for cheap advice then it might well be incomplete or inadequately researched. Do as Nick says and ask a couple more accountants.

Whatever you decide, do make sure the advice you get covers social charges and not just tax. The former are usually much more significant, and more difficult to minimise.

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We pay what I consider to be a small fortune for Accountancy Service, but our situation IS complex and we are using a well known International agency (with offices in many different countries).  It has worked for us.

30 Euros per hour seems quite reasonable.  On the other side, 1100 Euros for an initial consultation sounds ridiculous.  Move elsewhere.  Talk to several different agencies before you decide.  Nick is right, there are plenty out there.

Good luck.

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Just out of interest, here is an excerpt from the current scale of standard charges for a bi-lingual, Brittany-based accountancy practice.

Business set-up - from 450€ for self-employed registration; for SARL or EURL - setup and advice from 650€ plus 300-400€ for registration and legal notices.

Small business - from 750€ per annum, including accounting support throughout the year (this is for a micro-entreprise).

These include TVA - many quotes do not. Some practices add on about 15% for 'disbursements' then 19.6% TVA on top of everything. Of course, the above figures are 'from' so actual charges will quite likely be higher.

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Thanks to all of you - it certainly seemed a fairly hefty charge to me, especially since I operate a barter deal with my present accountants in the UK; I solve their computer problems and they do my tax returns!

I have a liitle (not too much, I hope) cheekily added a new topic to see if someone can give me an approximate guesstimate as to what my liability might be.  Unfortunately my timescales have suddenly shortened as the property market in 'Ackney isn't as slow as I was led to believe!

Thanks again and the beers are on me at the next LV beano....

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The gestion we use that specialises in building accounts and are a national group, charge us 450€ approx membership per year and then just over 800€ every quarter for accounts work,TVA verifications and ordinary things like wages slips and employee affairs. Not at all cheap but an excellent service with back up when there are problems and free consulations whenever we like plus an excellent set of end of year accounts.
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