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‘Accidental’ Americans in France welcome lower fee to give up citizenship
Many people face administrative issues linked with being American
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Two French banks must reimburse clients unjustified fees
The banks have also been fined a combined €9.2 million
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French income tax band changes for 2026 confirmed
The thresholds are usually updated each year in line with inflation, and apply to spring declarations (for 2025 income)
Higher penalties if you own up to foreign bank accounts
Penalties have been increased for people who own up to having bank accounts abroad that they had not previously declared.
Residents are meant to declare all foreign accounts – and income from such accounts – on their annual income tax declaration.
If you have not done so, you may own up to them (known as régulariser). In such cases tax is payable for recent years when the accounts were not declared, plus a percentage increase applied to the tax, plus fines (though the penalties are not as punitive when non-declared accounts are discovered by the tax office). This now includes a 35% increase (up from 30%), or 25% (up from 15%) for accounts gained ‘passively’ (such as through an inheritance).
