2.8% local tax rise in towns

FAMILIES living in one of the top 40 French towns and cities will pay on an average an extra 2.8% on their residential tax bill this year, according to new estimates.

A survey of the biggest town and city councils in France, published in Les Echos has revealed that most local authorities are considering a tax increase this year.

Strasbourg is imposing the biggest taxe d'habitation increase - up 9.4% to an average bill of €916.

The biggest taxe foncière rises are in and around Paris - 8.4% in the capital, 11% in Montreuil and 7.9% in Argenteuil and Saint-Denis.

See the full list of towns on the Les Echos website.
There are two main residential taxes in France, paid in October each year.

The taxe foncière is a tax on property, both residential and commercial, and is used to provide your local services. It is paid by property-owners.

The taxe d’habitation also goes towards the various services that local bodies provide to residents. You are liable if, on January 1, you live in accommodation either as an owner, tenant or free.

The Connexion publishes a comprehensive four-page helpguide in English on residential taxes which explains how they are calculated, a number of available exemptions and reductions and how and when you need to pay.
• The first forms to declare your income tax (impôt sur le revenue) are being posted out today. They will be arriving over the next couple of weeks. Connexion's 2010 helpguide will be available to download from this site by the end of the week.

Photo:Thbz