Taxe dHabitation - French Residence Tax

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9. Local Property Taxes in France

If you own a property in France, then the local property rates payable comprises two different taxes called the taxe dhabitation and the taxe foncire . Local authorities also charge rates on business premises, called the Contribution Economique Territoriale (CET). Even if you run the business from your from home you will still be liable for these rates, although there are certain exemptions and other concessions. 9.1. Taxe dHabitation - Residence Tax 9.2. Taxe Foncire - Ownership Tax
7.3 Acres of land and a Renovated, ...

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Finance & Taxation

Personal Taxation in France 1. Overview 2. Top Tips 3. Income Tax Liability 4. Income Tax Return 5. Calculating Income Tax Liability 6. Payment of Income Tax 7. Social Security Contributions 8. Taxation of Investment Income 9. Local Property Taxes 10. French Wealth Tax 11. Capital Gains Tax 12. Gifts Tax 13. Tax Inspection 14. Tax Complaints

9.1. Taxe dHabitation - French Residence Tax

9.1.1. Liability to the Tax This is an annual residence tax imposed on the occupier of a property in which they were resident on 1st January of each year. If the property is your second home, even though you may not physically be resident on 1st January, the tax is still payable, provided the property is capable of occupation. Thus, the law assumes that if you have the right of occupation of the property and it is furnished and habitable, then the tax is payable. Liability to the tax has nothing to do with the amount of time you actually occupy the property. Nevertheless, where you only use the property for a few weeks a year, and it is otherwise let out as a furnished letting, then you can be exempted from the tax, although you would then become liable for business rates. If you let a property on an annual basis the tax is payable by the tenant. Tenants of holiday lettings do not pay the tax, but any tenant occupying the property on 1st Jan on a permanent or even semi-permanent basis, is liable for the tax. The rule applies whether the property is furnished or unfurnished. Landlords of French property can read more detailed information about local property taxes in our guide to Taxation of Rental Property in France. 9.1.2. Calculation of the Tax The determination of the amount payable is made by the local council ( commune ), but the calculation and collection of the tax is carried out by the central government tax authority. The formula for the calculation is ponderously complex but, broadly speaking, it is based on the notional rent that the property might be expected to achieve in the open market, having regard to the condition, size and location of the property. This amount may not bear any relation to any actual rent that may be being paid on the property and, indeed, the notional rental values have not been updated since 1970, so are now desperately out of date! The valeur locative brute of the property should be stated on the rear of the tax

Sourdeval 169,500

Bargain renovated home nr Aubeterre

Aubeterre-sur-Dronne 135,000

Fabulous Family Home

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Nontron 945,000

Great Architect-Designed Property

Savoie 390,000

Ideal for Horses & close to River

Champagne-Mouton 213,000

4BED/2BATH COTTAGE IN BURGUNDY

Mcon 241,550

HOUSE IN COUNTRY

Saint-L 238,000

beautiful chalet with lake

Ambazac 413,300

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Taxe dHabitation - French Residence Tax

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demand, and if you wish to query it you will need to visit your local Centre des Impts Fonciers (Service de Cadastre) , whose contact details are also given on the tax notice. A formula is then applied to this notional rent based on the income the authorities need to raise to give a percentage rate of tax, the taux d'imposition Accordingly, the amount of tax will vary dependant on the decisions of each commune and the size and condition of each property. Where you have children, then relief of 10% to 15% for each dependant is granted, an allowance that is not means tested. Local authorities also have discretion to grant a rebate up to 15% to those on modest incomes, provided the applicant meets the income limits above, and that the rateable value of their home is not greater than 130% of the average for the area. The rate of tax varies marginally according to whether the property is the main home or a second home, for in the case of the latter the rate for management costs is higher (3% rather than 1%). Homes with a high rateable value also have an additional rate applied against them called prlvements pour base leve et sur les maison secondaires . For main homes the rate is 0.2% if the rateable value exceeds 4,573. For a second home the percentage rate is: - 1.2% for properties with a rateble value between 4,573 and 7,622; - 1.7% if they exceed 7,622. Those who are eligible for exemption or reduction in the tax are not liable for this additional rate, provided the property is their main home. If you are buying a property, then the tax payable may be on the property particulars. If not, ask the seller or agent for a copy of the most recent tax demand, called avis dimposition de taxe d'habitation . However, be careful how you interpret the net figure payable, as the gross amount may have been reduced due to the income or other circumstances of the current owner. You should check the rear of the tax notice to establish the gross figure before allgements , ie before any deduction. If in doubt the Centre des Impts Fonciers should be able to advise you of the gross amount, but the figure should be on the tax demand. As might be expected the level of the tax is generally higher in towns than in rural areas. The amount payable varies so much between local tax authorities and different types of property that it would be meaningless to state an average. If you move into the property mid-way through the year, then the former occupier is legally responsible for the tax for the whole of that year, subject to any private agreement that may be made. Top Tip! If you carry out major works to your property you are required to advise the tax authority (Form IL 6704), who will then undertake a revaluation of the property. The revaluation will be necessary if the works increase by at least 10% the rateable value of the property. 9.1.3. Exempted Properties By definition, the tax is not payable if the property is unoccupied. However, the definition of 'occupation' used by the tax authority includes those properties capable of occupation. Ordinarily, this would imply that there would need to be furniture in the property, and that utility services were also available. So properties in the course of renovation that you do not occupy, and which are not furnished, would be exempt from tax, as would a derelict property incapable of occupation. In order to obtain such an exemption the tax authorities normally require that you obtain a statement from the local council confirming the status of the property. In certain towns and cities with a population over 50,000 the taxe sur les logements vacants (TLV) is payable on a property that has been empty for at least a year from the date of imposition of the tax on 1st January.

Stunning Flat Completely Renovated

Bourg-Saint-Andol 127,500

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Taxe dHabitation - French Residence Tax

Other local authorities also have the discretionary power to levy a similar tax, although in their case, the property must empty for five consecutive years, commencing 1st January. The level of the tax is calculated at the rate of 12.5% of the rateable value of the property, which increases to 25% from the second year. However, the tax is not applied where the property is involuntarily vacant. These cases are: Where the property is considered uninhabitable and the costs of the works exceed by 25% the value of the property. If the property is for sale (and empty) and has not been sold despite the best efforts of the owner. If you are landlord of a property you have tried without success to let you will not be obliged to pay the tax. You will need to demonstrate evidence of your efforts to try and let the property, and to have done so at a local market rent. The rule means that, in the above circumstances, you can claim exemption from the taxe d'habitation. Local authorities have discretion to exempt chambres d'hotes and classified gtes located in rural development areas (Zones de Revitalisation Rurale (ZRR) from the tax, but only for that part let out for occupation by guests. You would need to approach your local mairie . You can also download the application form here. 9.1.4. Exempted Persons Complete exoneration from the tax is available to certain groups of persons, provided the property is their principal home. Those over 60 years of age, subject to a test of resources; Widowed persons irrespective of age, subject to test of resources; Disabled or infirm persons in receipt of, or eligible for, l'allocation de solidarit aux personnes ges (ASPA) , l'allocation aux adultes handicaps (AHH) , or l'allocation supplmentaire d'invalidit (ASI); Persons in receipt of Revenu de solidarit active de base (RSA), provided no other income, (otherwise then exempt on basis of income scales below). The exemption applies only if the property is your principal residence and you are not liable for French wealth tax. There is no test of resources required for those in receipt of ASPA, ASI or RSA. If you are disabled, but not in receipt of any of the above benefits you should consider making application for exemption. Provided you are able to demonstrate that you are incapable of employment then you may be able to obtain an exemption. In the case of a married couple the age or disabled condition only needs to be met by one of the spouses, although if one of the spouses is working then exemption may not be granted. The applicable income limits for the test of resources are based on your income for the previous year. So for 2013 the means test is based on your net income for 2012 ( revenu fiscal de reference), which cannot be greater than 10,224 for one person and 15,684 for a couple, a figure increased for additional family members. The following table shows the income limits per 'part' household. An adult counts a 1 part, and the first two children each .5 part. Third and fourth children count as 1 part.

Table: Income Threshold Household Size 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 Income Thresholds 10,224 12,954 15,684 18,413 21,143

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Taxe dHabitation - French Residence Tax

The exemption is also conditional upon you not living with someone (eg son/daughter) who has an income above the eligible threshold. 9.1.5. Tax Reduction If you do not fall into one of the above groups, but your income is no higher than certain thresholds (which depend on family composition), then you receive a reduction in the amount of tax that you need to pay. This reduction is called a dgrvement. Once again, if you pay l'impt de solidarit sur la fortune (ISF) then you will not be entitled to this reduction. The formula for calculating the reduction is complex but to benefit in 2013 your income for 2012 cannot exceed 24,043 per year for a single person, rising to around 34,000 for a couple, with further increases for children. Broadly speaking, the tax authority will take your net income ( revenu fiscal de rfrence) and then reduce this sum by an amount per 'household part', and the level of your taxe d'habitation is capped at 3.44% of this final reference figure, provided once again you are not liable for wealth tax. Example: A couple with a net income of 15,000 and a local tax liability before reduction of 500. Their net income figure receives an abatement of 8,069 (for a couple), giving a figure of 6,931 as the basis for determining the tax payable. The tax payable would then be 6,931 x 3.44% = 238, giving a reduction of 262. 9.1.6. Procedure The tax demand is sent out towards the end of each year with a specified end date for payment, unless you elect to choose to pay on a monthly or annual basis by direct debit. You can also pay it via the internet, or by cheque. Normally, the above reductions and exemptions are granted automatically by the tax authority on the basis of information obtained from you annual income tax return. So you do not need to apply to receive entitlement. If you have not received a reduction or an exemption to which you think you are entitled, then you need to make a rclamation to your local tax office. Those in receipt of Revenu de Solidarit Active (RSA) also normally receive complete exoneration from the both the taxe d'habitation and la redevance audiovisuelle . If you think you may be entitled to tax relief, which has not already been accorded to you by the tax authority, then you should visit your local Centre dimpts and discuss your circumstances with them. 9.1.7. French TV Licences If you also have a television then the TV licence, called the la redevance audiovisuelle , is also payable with the tax dhabitation . The annual cost of the TV licence is 131 (2013), which is subject to an annual index linked increase. Only one TV licence is payable per household, irrespective of the number of televisions in a property, or the number of properties owned by the same household. However, if you let out separate gte accommodation, then the landlord is responsible for the payment of the TV licence. If you do not pay the tax d'habitation on the gte, then you need to complete Form 3310A. You may be able to get some limited exemption if the gte is only let out on a limited basis each year. If you are granted complete exemption from payment of the taxe d'habitation , then this will also grant automatic exemption from payment of the TV licence. If you would like to receive regular information on French taxes, buying French property and living in France, then you can register to receive free of charge each month our popular Newsletter.

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