taxes

[smudge]

I am hoping that somebody may be able to help? if we purchase a property in France what taxes have to be paid on an annual basis ie council tax etc and what would be an average total cost?

Thanks

Smudge

[Debra]

Tax foncieres and tax d'habitation (the latter paid by the tenant who lives there as of 1st January if the property is let).  The amounts depend on the amount of buildings on the land and the area but tax d'habitation can also be reduced depending upon your household income.  An idea of the area you are looking at and square metreage of habitable space and outbuildings may help people to give you a clue but there really are huge, often unexplainable, differences even within the same commune.

[idun]

A question to ask whilst you are viewing property, they should at least be able to tell you what the taxe fonciere. Local taxes can be higher than those in the UK, ours were about the same and some can be lower.

 

[idun]

Smudge, all these questions, and yet you ask them with a 'throw up' icon, it is very off putting.

I take it that you all have half decent french, especially your son, who you say is seeking work.

 

And have you taken health care into account in all your plans.

There is very high unemployment in France at the moment, especially for the young. So if you think it must be better in France........ ie the grass is greener then maybe you had better do some good research, especially on french web sites. Because no one on here can really tell you what your life will be like in France.

Incidentally the French Embassy in London has a good website with some good and very useful information on it.

[Val_2]

In this current economic climate which is gradually hitting home hard now here in France, I suggest you keep hold of your UK home and rent it out and rent in France as you may end up hating it here,finding no work and property is just not selling and for those who do sell, they are having to drop the price enormously to generate any spark of interest currently.

Taxes on french property are different for every single one depending on what your property contains regarding rooms,value for rental etc.TV licences are automatically included in the Habitation tax so people have to pay it and if you don't pay your bills in France, your bank accounts are entered into automatically and emptied or blocked by the authorities,there is nowhere to hide here I am afraid.

If you are a bonefide tax resident in France, your habitation tax changes according to your income as well but you must submit returns for this and holiday homes are not included in any reductions.Rubbish collection charges are also included or a seperate bill is sent, again late payment on anything here gets 10% interest added on eachmonth.