Problems continue with France’s new property form: where to get help?
The form is obligatory and should be completed by the end of June. We look at help available for residents and those living outside the country
In most cases, the form is completed online at the official tax website
Sharaf Maksumov / Shutterstock
France’s mandatory property declaration form is continuing to cause issues.
A backlog of online queries, more than 100,000 calls to tax officials and alleged online inaccuracies all paint a picture.
With this being the first such declaration, completing the form has led to a huge influx of questions.
Around 34 million homeowners are required to submit information before the June 30, 2023 deadline.
The declaration can be done online - via your account on the official tax website - or by telephone.
Many Connexion readers still feel unsure about where to turn for help when unable to complete the form, however, with a significant number of non-residents particularly affected as they often do not have a tax-site online account.
Here are possible avenues for those seeking help.
Where can residents get help?
For French residents, there are a number of options to turn to for help with the form.
Your first port of call is to contact the service d’information des impôts via their telephone line on 0809 401 401 - the same number you can use to complete the declaration over the phone.
It is only possible for calls to be made to this number from inside France. The lines are open between 8:30 and 19:00, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
Be warned, however: when a Connexion team member called this number, they had to wait for 30 minutes.
This may be related to the influx of requests the service is currently receiving about the form. The helpline had already received 150,000 calls since the end of January, Le Figaro reported this week.
It is also possible for you to visit your local tax office (service des impôts), which will be able to help you with the form or deal with any administrative issues you may be facing.
To find your local tax office, consult your taxe foncière or taxe d’habitation statements as it will be listed. This should also show its contact phone number.
Alternatively, you can find your local service by going online here, clicking the contacts et RDV button in the top right, and then filling out the information to find your local tax office.
You should click on particulier,La gestion de vos impôts (déclarer, payer, contester), Prendre rendez-vous (sur place, par téléphone ou en visio), Pour toute autre question sur vos impôts, and then fill in the form with your address, postcode, and local commune.
Read more: How to fill in new French property form and why it is causing problems
How can non-residents get help?
There is a general number for non-residents to contact the non-residents' tax service (01 72 95 20 42). However The Connexion was told by a DGFiP team member that the new property form was more seen as a local tax issue (as the information is reported to be used to check that the right people are paying the taxe d’habitation) and that people should not use this number to ask queries about it. You can use it, however, for problems related to setting up an online space.
Instead, they should contact their local tax office.
Using the method above to find your local office, you should be able to find a phone number to contact the service.
In some cases, it may be possible to have an online appointment (either by phone or an online video calling software).
There should not be any need to go in person to your tax office in order to create an online space.Readers have reported doing this successfully from home, only having to attach a scan of their passport to provide proof of identity.
Read more: How do second home owners fill in new French tax-site form?
What will happen if I do not complete the form?
An FAQ page for the form says that in situations where the declaration is left uncompleted, inaccurate or where information is omitted, a fine of €150 per property could be applied.
Having said this a lenient attitude is expected this year.
Your feedback
Do you have any questions still unanswered about the new property form? Are you unable to complete the form because you are a non-resident, or because of another issue? Let us know your experience via news@connexionfrance.com. Thank you!
Related articles
Updated: Your questions answered on France’s new form for homeowners
How do I get a numéro fiscal to access the French tax site?
