For individuals, the French tax year follows the calendar year of 1 January to 31 December.

Individuals must file an annual personal income tax return in the year following that in which the income was received (usually in May).

Personal income tax payments are made through a Pay as You Earn system, under which tax is withheld on most types of income. Balance payments or refunds are settled the following year (between September and December).

Property tax, abode tax and real estate wealth tax (Impôt sur la fortune immobilière) are assessed on assets owned on 1 January, and must be paid between September and November of the same year.

French tax residents are subject to tax in France on their worldwide income. Under French domestic law, individuals are taxed in France if they have their domicile in France. Subject to the application of a double tax treaty, individuals are considered to be domiciled in France for tax purposes if they fulfil at least one of the following criteria:

Subject to applicable tax treaty provisions, non-French resident individuals are only subject to tax on their French-source income.

The concept of citizenship is not relevant to tax under domestic law.

When applicable, the concept of tax residency used in double tax treaties typically prevails over the French domestic concept of domicile. Most of the tax treaties signed by France provide that an individual is resident in France if one of the following sequential criteria is met:

Since French domestic taxation is based on tax residency and not on citizenship, renouncing French citizenship does not trigger any tax consequences.

However, a transfer of tax residency outside France can trigger personal income tax and social contributions on:

This exit tax applies to any individual who both:

The exit tax on deferred and unrealised capital gains can be put on hold automatically or on request, subject to certain undertakings and warranties provided to the French tax authorities and depending on the state to which the transfer is made.

A deferred exit tax relief may be possible after a certain period in some circumstances. In particular, there is a full rebate if the shares or receivables subject to exit tax are kept by the taxpayer for a certain period after the date of the taxpayer's effective departure from France. This period varies from two to 15 years depending on the date of departure.

In principle, temporary residence in France does not trigger taxation of individuals as long as they do not become French tax residents due to their stay in France (see Question 3). In particular, time spent in secondary homes in France should not affect an individual's tax status.

French law provides for a favourable temporary regime for individuals who were not French tax residents during the five calendar years before being employed by a company based in France (régime des impatriés). For a maximum of eight years and subject to a cap, such individuals can be exempted, partially or fully, from personal income tax on their:

Such individuals may also benefit from a temporary exemption from real estate wealth tax for non-French assets.

Non-tax residents are subject to personal income tax on capital gains derived from the sale of real estate company shares and rights, as well as properties located in France.

Such capital gains are subject to:

An additional surtax applies to gains exceeding EUR50,000.

In certain circumstances, non-tax residents are taxable on capital gains realised on the disposal of French company shares if the securities they hold (along with those held by their relatives) represent at least 25% of the share capital of the French issuer. Subject to the application of a double tax treaty, a withholding tax applies at a 12.8% rate (or 75% if the transferor is established in a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction).

A non-tax resident must typically report personal items of French-source income that are taxable in France under the relevant double tax treaty. Subject to the particular double tax treaty, the main items of reportable French-source income are:

However, a 75% withholding tax may still apply when these proceeds are paid to a beneficiary located in a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction.

Depending on the type of income, the withholding tax might not be final. In such a case, it may be possible to credit the withholding tax against the amount of personal income tax effectively owed in France.

Inheritance and gift taxes apply in France to:

This position may be subject to applicable provisions in a tax treaty between France and the state where either the donor, the donee, the heir or the deceased is resident. Inheritance or gift tax applies to the net taxable asset. The tax rate is progressive and varies depending on the relationship between the deceased (or donor) and the heir (or donee) (see Question 8).

Inheritance and gift tax is payable at progressive rates depending on the relationship between the deceased (or donor) and the heir (or donee) as follows:

The following tax-free allowances apply to the share of each heir (or donee):

No inheritance or gift tax applies:

Subject to certain conditions, partial exemptions from inheritance and gift tax may apply to assets such as:

Gifts of money up to EUR31,865 every 15 years between relatives are exempt from tax when made by persons aged less than 80 years to a beneficiary aged at least 18 years.

Liability can be reduced through different estate planning mechanisms, including:

A specific regime (Pacte Dutreil) is also available to mitigate gift and inheritance tax liability on the transfer of shares of certain companies that are subject to a collective holding undertaking where, for example:

This regime is only available to the transfer of entities carrying out an industrial, commercial, craft, agricultural or liberal (that is legal, medical, technical and artistic) activity. Therefore, entities carrying out civil activities are in principle excluded from the benefit of this regime. However, intermediary entities directly or indirectly owning qualifying entities may also benefit from this regime under certain conditions.

If these conditions are met, 75% of the value of the shares subject to the collective undertaking may be exempted from tax.

For real estate assets located in France, inheritance and gift tax applies irrespective of the domicile of the deceased (or donor) or the heir (or donee). For other assets, this depends on their nature (see Question 8) and the tax residency of the heir (or donee).

No other tax is levied on the death.

Cross-border transfers of assets on death or through gifts do not trigger any exit tax.

Transfer tax applies on the acquisition of real estate located in France at about 5.1% to 5.8% (plus 0.6% on offices, commercial and storage properties in Ile de France) on the acquisition price. In addition, notary fees apply at about 0.8%.

If the acquisition is subject to VAT, transfer tax is reduced to 0.715%. For acquisition through a gift, see Question 8.

In both cases, an additional registration duty applies at 0.1% on the fair market value of the property bought or given.

VAT is only applied on the sale of real estate assets where the seller is a VAT taxpayer and acting as such (that is, in the context of its economic activity). If so, the sale is either:

French real estate wealth tax applies to foreign tax residents who own real estate property and real estate company shares or rights located in France with a net value exceeding EUR1.3 million. An annual levy at progressive rates ranging between 0% and 1.5% applies to the net value of their French real estate assets.

Regardless of their tax residency, real estate owners pay local taxes annually in the form of housing and property taxes. The applicable rates depend on various factors such as the location and the size of the property. Such taxes are collected yearly by the local authorities.

An annual 3% tax assessed on the French property's value may be due when an individual indirectly owns the property through certain French or foreign entities. However, in most cases, this tax can be avoided by disclosing the personal identities of the indirect individual owners of the French real estate assets.

The choice of the most tax-advantageous holding structure depends on the purpose of the real estate holding (personal use or investment) as well as other matters such as place of tax residency of the owner, applicable tax treaties, exit strategy and so on. Holding the assets through a legal entity can sometimes reduce the tax liability.

Subject to the provisions of a relevant tax treaty, French tax residents are subject to personal income tax in France on all income derived from real estate or other assets, including capital gains on the disposal of such assets.

Foreign real estate assets or rights are also included in the tax basis of the French real estate wealth tax for French residents. This applies at progressive rates between 0% and 1.5% to the net value of their worldwide real estate assets, where the net value of the real estate assets exceeds EUR1.3 million.

France has a broad tax treaty network covering more than 120 countries. Some of these treaties cover income as well as wealth tax, inheritance tax and gift tax.

Most French treaties follow the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital. In addition, France has ratified the OECD Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (more than 70 treaties are covered).

French treaties usually contain a general anti-avoidance rule and/or provisions limiting benefits to effective beneficiaries of certain types of income (notably for dividends).

France has implemented the CRS into its domestic law.

A will does not necessarily have to be drafted in France or governed by French law to effectively cover French assets. A foreign will can dispose of French property if it is both formally and substantially valid.

A will is formally valid if it satisfies the requirements of HCCH Convention on the Conflicts of Laws Relating to the Form of Testamentary Dispositions 1961 (Hague Testamentary Dispositions Convention), of which France is a signatory. Foreign wills can only be executed on assets located in France after they have been registered in France.

French law allows for different types of will with different formalities, as follows:

Except for authentic wills, registration of the will is optional on its drafting. However, registration is required to ensure full enforceability and to certify the date of execution.

The registration fees amount to EUR125.

Electronic wills do not exist in French law. However, the intervention of a third party or a witness is not required for a holographic will if it is entirely handwritten (see Question 18).

During the COVID 19 pandemic, a decree made it possible to temporarily waive the requirement for a physical presence at the notary's office to execute notarial acts. However, this was limited to the period of the state of health emergency (which should end on 15 November 2021).

However, notaries are allowed to go to testators' places of residence to collect wills.

The beneficiaries of a will cannot make a post-death variation. The testator is the only person with the right to change the will (révocation), and beneficiaries cannot redirect their entitlements.

However, beneficiaries can choose between:

France has ratified the Hague Testamentary Dispositions Convention governing international wills. Therefore, a will is valid as long as it complies with the forms prescribed by the law of the state governing it.

A will subject to foreign law must follow the locally required procedural formalities. A court decision rendered abroad and probating a will must then obtain exequatur in France.

Wills made abroad must be registered in France to be executed in France.

If the deceased foreign citizen was a French tax resident on death, the succession will be opened in France for the deceased's entire estate.

If the foreign national resided abroad, a French notary will only deal with the succession if it includes real estate located in France. If this is the case, the notary will draw up the affidavit (acte de notoriété) and a real estate certificate for the person in charge of the succession (see Question 23).

The heirs are collectively responsible for administering the estate. The heirs can carry out acts to protect and administer the assets but cannot dispose of them.

The heirs or, in the event of disagreement, a judge at the request of any interested party, may appoint a representative after the death to manage or administer the estate in the heirs' interests.

The deceased may also appoint a future agent to administer the estate in a posthumous mandate. This role should be distinguished from the executor responsible for supervising compliance with the provisions made by the testator. In the event of a conflict of powers, the executor takes precedence over the agent administering the estate.

When a person dies, the legal heirs are automatically and immediately vested with ownership of the deceased's assets. In their capacity as successors, they benefit from saisine, the right to take possession and exercise their rights over the deceased's estate without any formality. However, they will benefit from the full authority over the property only after completing all civil and tax formalities.

The testator can choose to have the estate to vest in the executor, which, among other things, allows the executor to sell the assets and distribute the proceeds to the beneficiaries designated by the testator.

The notary will first draw up an affidavit (acte de notoriété) listing the heirs and their respective rights. The notary then lists the deceased's assets and liabilities.

The notary then carries out the tax formalities related to the death, including:

The heirs may decide not to share out the estate and to remain in co-ownership (indivision). Otherwise, assets are divided out between the heirs according to the declaration of inheritance.

When the heirs accept the estate, they must file a declaration of inheritance with the French tax authorities. This declaration must be filed within six months of the date of the death. However, for persons who die abroad, this filing period is extended to 12 months.

A beneficiary or any person with an interest in the legal action can challenge a will through the following actions:

A beneficiary can challenge the appointed representative or the executor. The representative and the executor are personally liable in the event of a fault harming the heirs, legatees or third parties such as inheritance creditors.

French law provides for a forced heirship regime. The estate is divided into two parts:

The reserved portion is defined as follows:

Gifts made by the testator during the entirety of their lifetime are included in the reserved portion to ensure equality between the heirs.

In principle, if French law applies to the succession, the forced heirship regime cannot be avoided. However, depending on the factual situation, estate planning (such as life insurance) can provide solutions to limit the effects of forced heirship regime.

If French law applies to the succession, it will apply to the whole estate of the deceased, including assets received by foreign beneficiaries.

Before the testator's death, an heir can renounce all or part of their share of their future inheritance through a family agreement (pacte de famille) signed before two notaries. The heir can also renounce the estate after the death of the testator (see Question 19).

Regulation (EU) 650/2012 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and acceptance and enforcement of authentic instruments in matters of succession and on the creation of a European Certificate of Succession (Succession Regulation) determines the law applicable to the succession. In the absence of a choice by the deceased, the succession will be subject to the laws of the country in which the deceased had their last habitual residence, irrespective of the location of the assets or their nature.

In relation to tax (for which the Succession Regulation is not relevant), on the death of a foreign national French tax resident, the assets are taxed in France (see Question 7).

French courts apply the doctrine of renvoi. However, since the implementation of the Succession Regulation, its use is limited to cases where the law designated by the Succession Regulation is that of an EU member state not bound by the Regulation (that is, Denmark or Ireland) or a third state. In practice, there is convergence in the conflict-of-laws rules so that the question of renvoi does not often arise.

The surviving spouse will continue to own co-owned property under the applicable matrimonial regime (see Question 46).

The intestate share of a spouse varies depending on the composition of the family:

In addition, in absence of descendants, whatever the deceased's will, the surviving spouse has a minimum reserved portion of 1/4 of the deceased's estate.

The heirs are classified in the following order:

The closest heirs in degree of kinship inherit and exclude the following category of heirs. Subject to the surviving spouse's share, the remaining estate is shared equally between the heirs of the highest category.

However, the rule of representation allows a descendant of an heir who has already died to receive their share of the estate.

Beneficiaries can challenge the result of the succession under the intestacy rules (notably in case of fraud or where they have been disadvantaged compared to other heirs). However, they cannot challenge the application of the intestacy rules on the ground of inadequacy of provision.

Type of Trust and Taxation. French law provides for a trust equivalent, the fiducie. As with a trust, a settlor can transfer a part of their estate to a fiducie, which would be managed by a trustee (fiduciaire) for the benefit of the beneficiary. However, unlike trusts, the assets transferred are considered to be part of the trustee's estate and not of the fiducie itself.

Contracts establishing fiducies for the purpose of making a gift (intention libérale) are null and void. French fiducies therefore cannot be used to structure inheritance and donation schemes. In addition, the fiducie contract terminates on the death of the settlor.

Nevertheless, individuals can use French fiducies for asset management purposes during their lifetime (fiducie gestion). Fiducies can also be used for providing security rights for creditors (fiducie sureté).

The following taxes apply to a fiducie:

Residence of Trusts. French registered fiducies are subject to French civil and tax law, but since they are not taxable, they are not regarded as tax residents for double tax treaty purposes.

Type of Trust and Taxation. Specific tax provisions apply to foreign trusts. All types of income generated by the assets of foreign trusts and distributed to a French tax resident are taxed at 30% (a flat tax including personal income tax and social contributions).

Inheritance and gift tax applies to the distribution of the assets of a foreign trust, subject to the territoriality rules (see Question 7). This tax can also apply on the death of the settlor even in the absence of any asset distribution.

Income received by a French tax resident for their work as trustee is subject to personal income tax at the general progressive rates.

Assets held in the trust should, in principle, be included in the taxable estate of the settlor for real estate wealth tax purposes.

However, those general tax rules may be modified depending on the exact nature of the trust, its deed provisions and the relevant foreign law.

Residence of Trusts. Foreign trusts are not treated as French tax residents.

France has implemented registers for fiducies established in France as well as for foreign trusts. These registers are not public.

For foreign trusts, registration involves the disclosure to the tax authorities of certain information including the settlor, trustee and beneficiary, and a list of the trust assets and their value.

Event-based tax disclosures are also required if the:

Annual tax reporting is also compulsory. On failure to file, penalties can apply of up to EUR20,000. A specific levy can also apply at 1.5% on the net value of the undeclared French real estate assets unless they have been disclosed in an annual real estate wealth tax return.

France recognises the validity of foreign trusts provided that the foreign trust:

However, for tax purposes, certain foreign trusts are not regarded as trusts, including:

France is a signatory to the HCCH Convention on the Law Applicable to Trusts and on their Recognition 1985 (Hague Trusts Convention). However, this has not been ratified and therefore does not have effect in France.

If a trustee of a foreign trust becomes French tax resident, they become liable to disclosure requirements including:

In addition, depending on the type of trust and its assets, the trustee may become liable to other taxes (such as a specific levy on the trust, or, in some circumstances, gift and inheritance tax) as well as further disclosure requirements (such as reporting to avoid the payment of the annual 3% tax).

French law does not specifically allow for the creation of non-charitable purpose trusts. However, non-charitable foreign trusts may be effective in France, subject to some conditions (see Question 34).

French law does not forbid foreign provisions as to perpetuities and accumulation in foreign trusts per se. However, depending on their drafting, these may interfere with public order provisions such as the forced heirship regime.

Subject to the territoriality rules set out in Question 7 and Question 32, accumulation and perpetuities provisions may be disregarded for tax purposes, as inheritance and gift tax can still apply even in the absence of factual transfer of the foreign trust estate to a beneficiary.

French law does not forbid the restriction of the beneficiaries' rights to information about the trust in the trust document.

French civil law offers limited protection for assets placed in trusts/fiducies by a spouse/partner on the dissolution of marriage/partnership. The judge may recognise the claims of the settlor's spouse/partner, depending on various factors, such as the existence and provisions of a marriage agreement, the type of goods transferred to the trust/fiducie and when this was performed.

If the spouse/partner is the beneficiary of a trust/fiducie, they will be protected if they have not yet received the benefit of the trust.

For French fiducies, creditors of the settlor cannot access the fiducie's assets unless it was set up in violation of the creditors' rights.

Creditors of the beneficiaries cannot access the fiducie's assets.

If the fiducie estate is insufficient to cover the liabilities arising from it, the creditors will have access to the settlor's estate to execute their right to repayment on the debtor's assets. However, the fiducie contract can limit the obligation to pay trust liabilities to the trust estate, although such a clause is only enforceable against creditors who have expressly accepted it.

Assets transferred to foreign trusts are in principle protected from creditors. However, this protection has limits, notably in case of fraud or if the provisions applicable to the trust contravene the French public order.

French law charitable organisations are contractual associations set up by two or more persons for a non-profit making purpose on a permanent basis. Charities are governed by the French law of contracts and specific legal provisions for charities (in particular, Law of 1 July 1901, as further amended). A charity may acquire legal personality through a registration process. This registration is required to receive tax benefits (see Question 40 and Question 42).

French law recognises both charities with their head office in France and foreign charities carrying out their activities in France.

Two or more persons, whether French or foreign, or individual or legal entities, can establish a charitable organisation through a contract subject to general French contract law under the French Civil Code. There is no choice as to legal structure. A charity can then acquire legal personality through a registration process. This registration is required to receive the tax benefits as a charity. The interests of the charity members must be convergent, and the purpose of the charity must be collective and distinct from those of each of its members. In principle, the purpose can be any lawful activity other than the "sharing of profits". However, the available tax benefits will depend on its status as either a "general interest" or "public utility" charity (see Question 42).

In principle, a charity's establishment is not subject to the prior review of the administrative or judicial authorities even if it appears to be invalid or has an unlawful object. However, an irregular declaration should prevent the charity's registration (and therefore the acquisition of legal personality). In addition, the judicial authorities can sanction any irregularity in the fulfilment of publicity formalities, such as irregular, untruthful or fraudulent declarations, by criminal fine. Such fines would be incurred by those responsible of the administration of the charity.

Founding members do not have specific rights except as provided by the bye-laws of the charity. The bye-laws can freely organise the relationships between the members, the management and the activities of the charity.

The charity contract need not be written unless registration is intended. However, in the absence of registration, the charity has no legal capacity.

Registration is with the competent Préfecture (Greffe des associations) and is published in the French Official Journal of Associations and Corporate Foundations (Journal Officiel des Associations et Fondations d'Entreprise). There is no need to register separately with the French tax authorities.

On this declaration, the Préfecture automatically registers the charity in the National Directory of Associations (Registre National des Associations) kept by the Ministry of the Interior.

Further formalities may be necessary if the charity:

There are no specific regulatory authorities for charitable organisations. Charities are subject to the same judicial, administrative and tax authorities as any other legal person.

During its lifetime, the charity is subject to the control of the:

Tax benefits are available for charities that qualify for either "general interest" or "public utility" status.

To receive tax benefits as a general interest charity, charities must meet four cumulative criteria:

General interest status provides two types of tax advantages:

Public utility status is granted to charities through a decree by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Ministère de l'Intérieur) after advice of the Conseil d'Etat, the French administrative highest court.

Organisations with public utility status are subject to additional requirements, such as:

Charities established in foreign jurisdictions may be granted the same tax benefits provided they comply with these conditions.

Public utility status entitles the charity to the same benefits as general interest status, as well as additional tax benefits such as being able to receive bequest or donations through a notarial deed (which is necessary for the transfer of real estate).

To be eligible for a favourable tax regime, the charity must meet several conditions (see Question 42). Therefore, the setting up and the running of a charitable organisation should be carefully monitored by its members since the French tax authorities can scrutinise the compliance with these conditions. In that respect, French and foreign charities must apply for a ruling from the French tax authorities to secure their status.

Donations to eligible charities (see Question 42) entitle the donor to a tax credit equal to 66% of the amount donated, up to a limit of 20% of the annual taxable income of the individual.

The share of the qualified donations over this threshold can be carried forward for the five following years.

French tax law provides for another tax credit equal to 75% of an amount donated to charities that provide people in poverty with free meals, help to find accommodation or medical care. This tax credit is capped at an annual amount of EUR552.

Tax credits can also be used to partially pay French real estate wealth tax by up to 75% of the gift made, up to a cap of EUR50,000. However, this tax credit is limited to donations made to certain types of charities (mostly education and research organisations with general interest status as well as public utility foundations).

French law recognises co-ownership. Co-ownership can result from a contract or operation of law (through marriage, divorce or succession). Co-owners cannot be forced to stay in a co-ownership. Co-owners have liability for the debts of the co-owned assets (in proportion to their share). On the death of a co-owner, their share is divided between their heirs, who become co-owners in place of the deceased.

Co-owners are subject to personal income tax on their share of income generated by the co-owned assets. The value of their share is included in their real estate wealth tax basis.

The following matrimonial regimes exist in France:

The rights of cohabitees in assets are not protected by French law. The rights of civil partners with respect to assets depend on their choice of matrimonial regime (limited community, co-ownership, separation of assets). Civil partners do not have specific rights on the inheritance of their partner as to a default community of property or forced heirship.

Same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples. No difference is made with respect to tax and succession. Both marriage and civil partnership are open to same-sex and heterosexual couples.

French law does not define the following terms but provides for their effects.

Two persons can be united through the institution of marriage. Marriage has various legal effects. A marital contract can be signed between the spouses to organise the effects on their property (see Question 46).

Divorced is used to describe a person whose former marriage was terminated. The procedure for divorce is made before a judge or a notary. The effects (rights and obligations) of the marriage no longer apply to the divorced. However, the divorced must comply with the provisions of the divorce judgment (or contract received by the notary).

French law distinguishes between:

In a full adoption, adopted children have the same rights as biological children. However, for simple adoption, adopted children may have limited rights, including as to inheritance.

French law does not distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children.

Two persons can conclude a civil partnership or "Pact of Civil Solidarity" (PACS). Compared to marriage, civil partnership has limited legal effect in relation to filiation, inheritance or the couple's asset management.

Minors (below 18 years old or 16 if emancipated) can inherit and are treated equally with other heirs. Their legal representatives act for them in the estate settlement and may require the family judge's approval in the procedure.

Minors can own inherited assets. However, they cannot manage the estate themselves and their legal representative must deal with it until their majority. In general, both parents have the authority to do so. If they cannot, a judge can appoint a legal guardian or a family council to take care of the minor's interests. The family judge's approval may be necessary for most important acts (such as a disposal of part of the minor's estate).

People who are not able to defend their interests can benefit from different protective measures, depending on their degree of incapacity. A judge decides on such measures and would appoint a legal guardian and define the extent of their powers.

French jurisdictions recognise foreign powers of attorney within the limits of the French public order.

No major reform is currently planned or discussed with respect to private client law.