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Taxes
US citizens can earn up to ,000 US of tax-free foreign earned income. Whether you earned money or not in France you are obliged to file a US tax return. Copies are available at the US Consulate on the rue Florentin. US citizens residing in France are automatically granted an extension from April 15 to June 15 to file.
To help you understand the complicated French tax laws, Price Waterhouse offers a booklet entitled The French Pocket Tax Book as well as legal and tax advice.
(available at: 18, Place Henri-Bergson, 75008 PARIS. Tel: 01.41.26.40.00.)
American lawyer Samuel Okoshken´s office offers US and French tax services. Similarly, the British Embassy publishes a list of accountants competent in both British and French taxes. (See our Lawyers and Accountants sections)
Here´s a quick overview of French fiscal taxes and fees:
Impâ"¢t sur le revenu
Income tax-tax returns due each year usually in February or March. Payments are made on an annual, trimestrial, or monthly basis. For an average income count on about one month´s salary in income taxes.
TVA (taxe sur la valeur ajoutée)
Sales tax-built in tax of 20.6% on most goods and services. 5.5% on books. There is talk of creating a unified TVA for Europe set at 15%
CSG (Contribution sociale generalisée)
A tax of 3.3% of your gross income used to subsidize the government´s social welfare program. This is deducted directly from your fiche de paie
Taxe fonciĀre
Property tax-an annual tax on the value of land and housing to be paid by the owner
Taxe professionnelle
Professional tax-a sum levied on all businesses for the right to conduct business based on surface space being used for professional purpose
Taxe d´habitation (impâ"¢ts locaux)
Municipal housing tax-an annual local tax imposed on housing payable to the town by both owners and renters
Vignette
Motor vehicle registration sticker-purchased each autumn at any tabac in the département in which the vehicle is registered. Price is based on year of car and size of engine
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