Blog

How to set up a company in France when you are a non resident

Who is eligible to set up a business in France? Before starting on your entrepreneurship project, it is important to make sure you are eligible to operate in France. Some activities are reserved for French citizens, EU or EEA nationals, or nationals of countries that have a reciprocal agreement with France. In addition, certain professions require a specific diploma, professional experience or administrative authorisation. Once you have checked that your activity complies with French law, you can start following the necessary administrative procedures. What are the steps involved in setting up your business in France? The procedures differ depending on

Lire la suite »

Work of art and precious objects taxation in France

Work of art and precious metal definition What does “working art” definition recover? According to French and European laws, working of art recovers notably the following elements: What does “precious objects” definition recover? Under French law, « precious objects » often refer to items like precious metals (gold, silver, platinum etc..), jewelry and precious stones, antiques, artifacts, and potentially other high-value items. Who the Tax Applies To In the context of the sale of works of art, the fixed tax applies to private individuals, associations and all entities that sell works of art, collectors’ items or antiques and that are not subject

Lire la suite »

Inheritance and estate taxes in France

Considerations about the applicability of French inheritance laws and taxes become relevant if you become a French resident, retire in France, or purchase property in the country. You need to understand whether these laws pertain to your possessions. There are circumstances in which non-residents and foreigners may opt for their home country’s laws to govern their assets. However, some limitations might exist when it comes to the division of assets located in France under French inheritance law. The rules of inheritance in France are rooted in the French civil code and work based on a residency system. This means that

Lire la suite »

Tax Litigation in France

The following description offers an in-depth understanding of tax litigation in France. A surge in tax litigation is observed in France due to tax deficit issues and alleged tax evasion, often related to topics like management fees, transfer pricing, intangibles, and more. French tax law is governed by the General Tax Code, the Book of Tax Procedures, and additional codes. Tax evasion and related offenses fall under the French Tax Code. The French tax system is based on self-reporting, with taxpayers filing annual income tax returns. In case of discrepancies or overpayments, authorities investigate and adjust accordingly. Taxpayers can engage

Lire la suite »

Audits in France : What to expect when your French company is audited ?

Undergoing a tax audit in France can be an extremely stressful experience, given the strict tax and accountancy laws that leave little room for errors and carry hefty penalties. Reasons for a tax audit can vary and may include: The tax audit process begins with a registered letter sent to the company’s head office, specifying the period to be audited and the concerned tax and providing the first intervention date. Typically, there is a 15-day notice period before the initial meeting. However, in cases of suspected fraud, the customs service may conduct an immediate intervention without prior notice, having the

Lire la suite »

Buying a property in France – A trigger for property wealth tax

The old French wealth tax, known as ISF (“Impôt sur la fortune”), which imposed a tax on worldwide net assets, has never been attractive for people to come in France and moreover, incited celebrities to leave le country as Yannick Noah. However, since 2018, the ISF was replaced by the “Impot sur la fortune immobilière” (IFI). This new tax is based on the same scheme as ISF but limited to real estate assets, as well as direct and indirect investments or interests in real estate and real estate companies, held on January 1st. This reform was lead with the aim

Lire la suite »

Taxation of property income for non-resident French expatriates

You are a French expatriate who owns at least one property in France that you rent out, and you are wondering how your income from property is taxed as a non-resident. First of all, it is important to check whether there is a tax treaty between your host country and France. If the French tax system applies, you will have to pay tax on your property income under the French tax scale with different applicable schemes (real amount or “micro”system). When you invest in rental property, choosing between renting it empty or furnished implies consequences on the applicable tax. Rental

Lire la suite »

Taxation of capital gains on property for non-resident French expatriates

You are a French expatriate and you are wondering how capital gains on property are taxed for non-residents. As a general rule, you are subject to the usual income tax and social security contributions. However, in certain cases, you may qualify for an exemption. What are the capital gains tax rules for non-residents? In France, making a capital gain is generally subject to taxation, unless you sell your principal residence. This rule also applies to the sale of shares or property held through a “société civile immobilière” (SCI) or shares in a “fonds de placement immobilier” (FPI). Being a non-resident

Lire la suite »

Tax consolidation

Tax consolidation involves combining the tax results of all the companies in a group. This means that losses made by one company in the group or by the parent company can offset the profits of the other companies. The Finance Act for 2019 introduced several measures to improve the tax consolidation regime. The main measures are summarized below. Tax consolidation mechanism: Companies subject to corporate tax under the general rules, regardless of their sector of activity, may, by option for a period of 5 years, constitute a group of companies in which the parent company, holding at least 95% of

Lire la suite »