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ADJUSTMENTS FOR INFLATION AND EXTENDED RELIEFS SHOULD HELP MANY HOUSEHOLDS Income and property tax calculations have been adjusted and reliefs extended linked to year-on-year inflation,

which means that many will see tax bills lightened. The France tax year runs from January 1 to December 31, and the time to make income declarations of 2023 income is almost here. While the

window to qualify for tax deductions and credits on 2023 income has closed, here are three ways in which taxation this year may be eased. READ MORE: EXTRA TIME NOW POSSIBLE TO PAY FRENCH

INHERITANCE TAX IN INSTALMENTS 1. 2024 TAX BANDS ON 2023 REVENUE THRESHOLD TAX RATE Up to €11,294 0% From €11,294 to €28,797 11% From €28,797 to €82,341 30% From €82,341 to €177,106 41% More

than €177,106 45% The tax bands for 2023 revenue have been increased by 4.8% in line with year-on-year inflation, which will see many pay less tax so long as their income did not rise more

than this. Financial media are predicting that online declarations this year will open on April 13, with declaration deadlines expected to run from May 25 for the first group of departments

01 (Ain) to 19 (Corrèze), up to June 8 for the last, departments 55 (Meuse) to 976 (Mayotte) If you filled in a paper tax declaration in 2023, you will receive the main form in the course of

next month, prefilled with income known already to the tax authorities. If this is your first year paying French income taxes, you must first create a personal space on the tax website

(IMPOTS.GOUV) if you want to declare online. You can also request a paper form (form 2042) by contacting the tax authorities on 0809 401 401 or by visiting your local tax office, or by

downloading it using the search box at the website. 2. TAX RELIEF FOR MODEST REVENUES Automatic tax relief applied to people with modest incomes has been adjusted by 4.8% due to inflation.

The tax bands, including the first zero-rate band, help to keep tax bills down for the less-well off, but a system called the _décôte _helps to further lower tax payable for lower-income

households. In 2024, this applies to tax bills for 2023 income of: * €1,929 for individuals * €3,191 for couples This extra reduction in tax is equal to the difference between 45.25% of your

tax bill before the _décôte_ and €873 (for individuals) or €1,444 (for couples who declare together). For example: An individual with an income tax bill of €1,200 is granted €330 in relief,

bringing the total bill to €870 [€873 - (€1,200 x 45,25 %)]. A couple with an income tax bill of €3,000 is granted €86.5 in relief, bringing the total bill to €2913.5 [€1,444 - (€3,000 x

45.5)] This relief is automatic, and applied before other reductions, such as for charitable giving. 3. TAX RELIEF FOR OVER-65S AND DISABLED PEOPLE: The tax relief for over-65s and disabled

people, called the _Abattement spécial accordé aux personnes âgées et aux invalides_ has also been adjusted for inflation and will apply to more people in 2024. It now applies to revenues

under: * €17,200 for a €2,746 deduction on taxable income * €27,670 for a €1,373 deduction on taxable income READ MORE: GOOD NEWS ON TAX FOR (SOME) OVER 65S IN FRANCE This relief is

automatic, and applied before other reductions, such as charitable giving. PROPERTY TAXES WILL NOT RISE AS MUCH THIS YEAR Property taxes have also been adjusted for inflation. While they

will still rise for most people, the hike will generally be significantly less than in 2023. Both of France’s property taxes, the_ taxe foncière _and_ taxe d’habitation_ (for second homes)

use the valeur locative cadastrale (VLC), a property’s theoretical annual rental value, as the basis for calculating the tax due. READ MORE: FRENCH PROPERTY TAXES SET TO RISE: WHEN WILL YOU

KNOW THE AMOUNT? A property’s VLC is adjusted each year in relation to the consumer price index. In 2024, it will increase by 3.9%, whereas this was 7% in 2023. The VLC is multiplied by a

tax rate set by the local council to determine the _taxe foncière_ and _taxe d’habitation_. Note that some communes under ‘housing pressure’ are allowed to vote to apply a surcharge to the

_taxe d’habitation_ on second homes. You can check if this applies to the commune of your second home HERE. READ MORE FRENCH TAX INSPECTORS GET MORE POWER TO CHECK IF YOU MAKE MONEY ONLINE

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