Expanding our business to France.HELP!!!!!

[frenchaddict]

Hi,

We have a small but well established building firm here in the UK. We have a house in France where we will hopefully be moving to soon(with four kids  and a dog!). Now the thing is, we would like to rent out our UK home, keep our business running in the UK too but also expand into the French market with our building company(not a lot when you say it fast!). Does anyone have any advice on the best route to take or who we should approach first? We don't know whether we would automatically be taxed under the French system or would we stay within the UK system? Any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

Sheila & Peter

[Eslier]

I'm fairly sure that you will need to set up a French "branch" company as the basis for your building activities in France. This would be very similar to setting up a stand alone company and you would, of course, be required to meet the same standards as French companies and provide the same insurances etc. On the plus side, you can become TVA registered and take advantage of the lower 5.5% rate when charging certain work on the some of your clients. This is all quite complicated however and circumstances can vary for different situations so your best bet is to contact a French accountant who can advise you properly and assist in setting up your business. There are many firms around who provide an English speaking service so let us know where you intend to settle and hopefully you will receive some good recommendations.

[Alexis]

I can't tell you all the ins and outs but basically, if you live in France, you are taxed in France.

I await to be corrected......