Urban myth

[JohnM]

I just thought I'd share this with you.

My friends have started using my Alpine cottage and I am charging them. I telephoned the Impots last year and sent them a letter, but to date I have not heard anything from them. In the mean time, I was talking to an accountant in a pub, who admittedly isn't an expert on the situation and she said that "she had heard" that if the money was paid directly into my French account then the UK tax office would not be interested. She did add an addendum that she would want to check that information before advising me!

Well, I am still concerned that the impots have not been in touch and so I have just phoned my English tax office so that it is on record somewhere I that I have been proactive about paying my dues. Whilst on the phone I asked whether it made it easier for everybody if the money never touched my UK bank account and they said "you are benefiting from the money, if the French tax you we wont, but we still want to know".

As I don't let many people stay, I am sure that it will cost more to collect the tax than I will actually pay, but hey, I feel happier now.

The important thing is, if you are in the same situation and have been told that particular Urban Myth, that's what it is, an Urban Myth. I don't care whether you do anything about it, I just don't want anyone to get badly bitten in the bum by believing it.

John