France’s deadline for paper income declarations extended to end of May

If you are a first-time declarer or are unable to declare online, you now have extra time to complete your declaration this year

Some pre-filled forms were sent out unusually late this year
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The deadline for making French income declarations by paper form has been extended from May 19 to May 31, due to delays in sending out some people’s pre-filled forms.

Deadlines for online declarations, however, have not changed.

Central tax authority the DGFiP said in a statement: “Some users received their pre-filled paper declaration forms for 2021 income significantly later than in previous years.

“So as to account for this situation, which concerns a little under 5% of users concerned by these declarations, the deadline of May 19 that was initially planned, has, exceptionally, been put back to May 31, 2022.”

Only a minority of people with French income declarations to make now declare by paper, and in theory there is a small fine for failing to declare online without a good reason (however this is only €15 and for a second offence).

Paper declaration concerns notably many of those declaring for the first time (if they were not able to set up in time with a fiscal number and online account), as well as those who for reasons of age, disability or lack of an internet connection in their main home or computer skills are unable to declare online.

There is also an opt-out from online declaration until 2024 for people who live in areas without ‘mobile service’. This refers to mobile 3G internet, as declaring via a phone application is one option for those with simple declarations to make.

People who declared by paper last year would also have received paper forms in the post this year, and in this case they are pre-filled with their personal details and incomes already known to the tax office.

Otherwise, blank forms can be found and printed out by putting the form names into the search box at impots.gouv.fr

For more about declaring income to France see our help guide to Income Tax in France 2022.

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