Letters: I received France's ‘empty home tax’ on rented properties two years running
Connexion reader shares their experience of receiving the property tax in error
Thousands of people report having been sent an empty property tax notice in error
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To the Editor,
Regarding your article about thousands of property owners in France who have been sent ‘empty home tax’ bills in error.
I own and rent out two properties in Paris and for the second year in a row I received a notice for taxe sur les logements vacants. Last year it was €1,200 and this year more than €2,200.
This is despite the fact that my properties were in fact rented out and all the occupants’ arrivals and departures recorded as required on the tax site.
It is a marvellous IT system where you record the information required and they seem to ignore it.
Read also: More French towns are imposing ‘empty home tax’ in 2024
I have a French friend who inherited a house from an aunt two years ago and immediately sold it.
Despite the fact that it should not be subject to taxe sur les logements vacants and having notified the tax office several times that they do not own the house, the tax office has sent out four or five of these notices to another family member completely uninvolved in the inheritance.
All that for something the family has not owned for two years.
Perhaps the tax office is using artificial intelligence to generate these ridiculous demands.
Send a tax notice to someone for something they do not own and then to someone uninvolved in the transaction.
In the words of my French friend: "Our administration is totally incompetent"
Russell Williams, by email
What are your opinions on empty home tax bills? Have you been sent on in error? Share your views at letters@connexionfrance.com
