Here are the 2026 dates for French income tax repayments and reimbursements

Dates for reimbursements and additional payments relating to the 2026 income tax declarations have been confirmed by French tax authorities. 

It means those who will need to pay more tax – or are set to see a refund for paying too much – can better plan for these payments. 

The information comes as the tax declaration season remains open, however deadlines are approaching. 

Tax avis sent in July or August

Following the deadline for declarations, tax authorities sort through the information provided by the tax payer to ensure it is correct. 

While declarants are given an estimate of their future tax status immediately after declaring, the final information is available in their avis d’impôt (tax notice) for the year. 

This informs people whether they are set to receive a reimbursement for paying too much income tax, whether they have underpaid and will therefore need to pay more tax, or have paid the correct amount and will see no changes. 

This year, the final avis will be provided between July 24 - July 31, available through the individual’s personal account on the French tax site.

Alternatively, a letter will be posted between July 23 and August 28 if you are set to receive a paper avis and have no tax to pay, or are due a refund, or between July 23 and August 20 for those who will have something to pay.

Note that this year, for the first time, no paper avis will be sent to people who declared online last year, regardless of whether they officially opted out of this.

Reimbursements come first

Reimbursements are issued quickly by authorities.

For those set to receive a reimbursement, “it will most likely be issued on July 24 or July 31, 2026,” says the French tax site. This is regardless of whether the person has received their avis or not.

“The refund will be made directly to the bank account registered with the tax authorities, if you have provided one; otherwise, it will be sent by mail as a cheque to be deposited at your bank.” 

Unlike in the case of paying additional tax, where you must legally provide correct bank information or risk penalties, you are not required to confirm the details held are correct before the reimbursement is sent. 

You are therefore recommended to ensure the primary bank details held by the tax authorities are correct, so you can receive the reimbursement. 

Bank details are declared and confirmed during the annual declaration, and can also be changed on your personal account through the ‘Prélèvement à la source’ or ‘Gérer mon prélèvement à la source’ buttons. 

Payments sometimes spread across several dates 

For those who have additional tax to pay, they are also informed through their avis. 

Deadlines depend on the amount cited, however.

For payments of €300 or less, this is taken in a single payment on September 25, 2026. 

For amounts above this, it is split into four equal payments on the date of: September 25, October 26, November 25, and December 28.

Payments will be deducted via prélèvements from the bank account details given to fiscal authorities. 

Note, in the case that an avis is not given until a later date (in the event of corrections, modifications, etc), payments will be taken out in two equal parts in November and December. 

If you do not have automatic payments enabled for your bank account, or otherwise the payments cannot be taken, other payment methods are possible. 

Sums of €300 or below can be paid through cash or bank transfer at an authorised tabac, cheque sent to local tax office, or online through your personal account on the impots.gouv.fr website / mobile app. 

For sums of €300 or more, only payment online or through the app is possible. 

If you have difficulties in paying the additional tax, you can contact authorities to organise alternative schedules. Read more about your options here.