FRENCH TAX DATABASE 2008
| Tax residence |
Income Tax |
Social Security Rates for employers and employees
|
Company Tax | Local business tax |
|
VAT (TVA)
|
Property Related Tax Capital gains tax on the sale of French property |
Anti-avoidance measures |
Tax |
Tax on capital gains and investment income Gains on the sale of investments |
The taxpayer is deemed to be tax resident in France if any one of the following tests is satisfied.
They spend 183 days or more each year in France.
Their principal business activity in France.
Their habitual residence is in France.
Their "centre of economic interests" is in France. This would be the case if the taxpayer has their principal investments in France, manages their business from France or the majority of their income is from French sources.
If the taxpayer is also resident in another country, their residence is decided in reference to the relevant Double Tax Treaty, if one exists between the two countries.
Consequences of being tax resident in France
As a French tax resident, the taxpayer is liable to:
French income tax on their worldwide income and capital gains. Where the taxpayer is also taxed in another country on this income, double tax relief is taken.
French Wealth Tax on their worldwide net assets.
French Inheritance and Gift Tax on assets that they bequeath on death or gift during their lifetime. Where the taxpayer is also domiciled in another country for the purposes of this tax, double tax relief is taken.
Personal income tax rates in France
IRPP (Impôt sur
le Revenu des Personnes Physiques). Tax Year 2007 (income to be declared in 2008).
| Taxable income (Euros) | Tax Rate % |
| Up to 5,687 | 0 |
| 5,688 to 11,344 | 5.5 |
| 11,345 to 25,195 | 14.0 |
| 25,195 to 67,546 | 30.0 |
| 67,546 + | 40.0 |
Income tax is calculated according to the total income of the household, which is deemed as being equally distributed between each member of the household (called a part). The total income is divided by the number of parts before applying the above rates. The resulting figure is then multiplied by the number of parts to give the total tax due.
Income tax deductions and allowances
Allowances for taxpayers aged 65 +
Allowances against employment income
Tax credit for mortgage interest on principal residence
From 1st January 2008, this tax credit is as follows:
40% in the first year, and 20% in the four subsequent years
The maximum amount of interest subject to this credit is 3,750 Euros per adult in the family group and 500 Euros per child.
For employees, contributions are withheld at source by their employer. Current rates are:
Self-employed taxpayers pay contributions directly to the Social Security agencies e.g. URSSAF. Current rates are:
Social charges are also payable on other income such as rental and investment income, and capital gains on property. The current rate is 11%. This is payable along with the annual income tax.
Tax on deemed income for non resident property holders . Only applies to residents of countries which have not signed a Double Tax treaty with France.
Non-resident individuals who have French property available for their use are assessable to French income tax on the following basis:
The taxpayer's income is deemed to be three times the property's real rental value. In general this value is calculated as 5% of the capital value of the property.
Taxpayers are exempt in the following cases:
Filing deadlines for French income tax returns
The French tax year is equal to the calendar year. Filing dates for the annual income tax return are as follows:
In 2007, the annual filing deadline for French residents is 31st May.
Payments on account are due by the following dates:
There is no Pay As you Earn system for employees in France. All individuals are responsible for paying their tax due along with their annual income tax return.
Wealth Tax in France
ISF (Impôt de solidarité sur la fortune). Taxation of taxpayer's net wealth as at 1st January 2008.
| Net wealth of taxpayer (Euros) | Tax rate % |
| 0 - 770,000 | 0 |
| 770,000 - 1,240,000 | 0.55 |
| 1,240,000 - 2,450,000 | 0.75 |
| 2,450,000 - 3,850,000 | 1.0 |
| 3,850,000 - 7,360,000 | 1.3 |
| 7,360,000 - 16,020,000 | 1.65 |
| 16,020,000 + | 1.80 |
Basis of taxation:
Filing deadlines:
IS Impôt sur les sociétés. 2008 rates - tax on 2007 profits.
Currently there is a flat tax rate of 33.33% on profits on companies.
For qualifying small-medium companies, there is a reduced tax of 15% on the first 38,120 Euros of profit. In order to qualify, the share capital of the company should be fully paid up and at least 75% of this share capital should belong to physical persons.
For large companies, there is an increased rate, known as contribution sociale additionnelle. This applies to companies with:
French company tax is payable on account with at payments due on a quarterly basis.
IFA (Imposition forfaitaire annuelle)
Regardless of whether a French company makes a profit or not, it is assessable to a minimum tax which is calculated in reference to its turnover. Rates are as follows:
| Turnover (Euros) | Maximum tax payable (including corporation tax) |
| 0 - 76,000 | 0 |
| 76,000 - 150,000 | 750 |
| 150,000 - 300,000 | 1,125 |
| 300,000 - 750,000 | 1,575 |
| 750,000 - 1,500,000 | 2,175 |
| 1,500,000 - 7,500,000 | 3,750 |
| 7,500,000 - 15,000,000 | 15,000 |
| 15,000,000 - 75,000,000 | 18,750 |
| 75,000,000 + | 30,000 |
The IFA is payable each year by 15th March.
VAT (TVA- Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée)
The current standard rate of VAT in France is 19.6%. This is the general rate applying to the supply of goods and services:
There is a reduced rate of 5.5% which applies to certain goods and services, including:
Finally, there is a special rate of 2.1%, which applies to a limited scope of goods and services.
Capital Gains Tax on the sale of French property
The sale of a French resident's main residence is exempt from Capital Gains Tax.
In other cases, the deductible cost is calculated as follows:
From the gross gain (plus-value brute), the following deduction can be made:
The resulting taxable gain (plus value imposable) is subject to the following tax rates:
French residents pay 16% tax on the gain, plus Social Charges which are currently 10%.
Sale of French property by non-resident companies
This sale is subject to a withholding tax of 50%.
A withholding tax of 33.3% is levied.
In calculation of the withholding tax, the tax adjustments allowed to individuals are not included, but a 2% per annum depreciation allowance is included.
In this case the withholding tax is 33.3%, or 15% for long-term disposals.
"3% Tax" on property holding companies
This measure was introduced to ensure that property holding companies, in particular those in "tax havens", are subject to French taxation.
The tax is calculated at 3% of the market value of the property.
The following types of company are among those exempt from this tax.
This tax is not allowable for corporation or income tax purposes and is payable on 15th May each year.
The Taxe Professionnelle is payable by the self-employed and companies. The actual tax varies with location, and is calculated in reference to the value of the businesses fixed assets and annual salary expenditure.
Taxe d'Habitation and Taxe Foncière
These are French local property taxes.
The Taxe d'Habitation is payable by the occupier of the property, and the Taxe Foncière is payable by the owner. Both taxes are due by the 1st January annually.
Owner / occupiers of property pay both of these taxes.
Capital Gains Tax for individuals on the sale of investments
From 1st January 2008, these gains are subject to taxation of 18% income tax and 11% Social Contributions, i.e. 29% in total.
The first 25,000 Euros of gains are exempt from taxation.
Income tax on dividends received
From 1st January 2008, the taxpayer can opt for dividends received from French companies to be subject to taxation at source at 18%, with no further tax payable. This is know as a prélèvement forfaitaire libératoire (PFL). This option does not apply to shareholders of companies where there is a greater than 25% shareholding.
If the taxpayer does not make this election, the dividends must be declared in the annual tax return and are taxable according to the normal income tax scale. This is after a general deduction of 40%, and allowances of 1,525 Euros for a single person and 3,050 Euros for a married couple.
Dividend income is also subject to Social Contributions of 11%.
Tax on French investment income
French income such as bank interest and bond interest, and qualifying capital gains from the sale of French monetary investments, are also subject to taxation at source of 18% under the prélèvement forfaitaire libératoire (PFL) regime.
© Copyright France Accountants 2008
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