9.2. Taxe Foncière - Property Ownership Tax
This tax is an annual property ownership tax imposed on the owner, whether or not the property is actually occupied by them or rented out.
The tax is levied for the year in which it is imposed and payable by the person(s) owning the property on 1st January of that year.
The tax goes towards the funding of local services by the commune, inter-communal and departmental councils. So all three councils impose an element of the tax and benefit from partial receipt of the revenues from it.
9.2.1. Calculation of the Tax
The determination of the amount payable is made by the local councils, but the calculation and collection of the tax is carried out by the central government tax authority.
The basis on which the tax determined is similar to that of the tax d’habitation, although in a more straightforward manner.
Broadly speaking, the basis of the assessment is the notional rent that the property might be expected to achieve in the open market, having regard to the size condition and location of the property.
This assessment is then discounted by 50% to take account of running costs, eg repairs, insurance.
This notional rent may not bear any relation to any actual rent that may be being paid on the property as the notional rental values date from 1970.
The valeur locative brute of the property should be stated on the rear of the tax demand, and if you wish to query it you will need to visit your local Centre des Impôts Fonciers (Service de Cadastre), whose contact details are also given on the tax notice.
A percentage rate is then applied to this notional rent based on the income the authorities need to raise, called the taux d'imposition.
The rate of tax varies marginally according to whether the property is the main home or a second home. In the case of the latter the rate for management costs is higher (3% rather than 1%).
Homes with a high rateable value also have an additional rate applied against them, called prélèvements pour base élevée et sur les maison secondaires.
For a second home the percentage rate is 1.2% for properties with a rateable value between €4,573 and €7,622 and 1.7% if they exceed this figure. For main homes the rate is 0.2% if the rateable value exceeds €4,573.
There is no automatic abatement of the tax for children, as is the case for the taxe d'habitation.
If you are buying a property the tax payable may be shown on the property particulars. If not, ask the seller or agent for a copy of the most recent tax demand, called avis d’imposition.
However, be careful how you interpret the net figure payable, as the gross amount may have been reduced due to the income or other circumstances of the current owner. If in doubt the Centre des Impôts Fonciers should be able to advise you of the gross amount, but the figure should also be on the tax demand.
Some local councils also make a separate charge for rubbish collection, in a tax called taxe d’enlèvement des ordures ménagères (TEOM), which is sent out with the taxe foncière. Where the tax is not levied, the costs of rubbish collection are funded from the general budget.
The level of the tax is generally higher in towns than in the countryside and also as between different regions of the country. The amount payable each year varies so much between local tax authorities and different properties that it would be pointless to state an average.
The tax demand is sent out during the third quarter of the year with a specified end date for payment, unless you elect to choose to pay on a monthly or annual basis by direct debit.
The tax demand is called avis d’imposition tax foncière. The detail of the calculation will show you how much of the tax goes to the various councils and their changes to the rate.
The tax has wide application to all types of property whether residential, commercial, industrial or professional.
Land is also subject to the tax, though to a lesser extent, and there are also exemptions for buildings of an agricultural nature. There is also relief for the planting of new woodland.
In the event you sell a property during the year you are obliged to pay the tax for the full year, although it is not unusual for there to be an agreement with the new owner concerning sharing of the tax, which needs to be incorporated in the sale and purchase agreement.
If you carry out major improvements to the property you are obliged to notify your local property tax office in order that there can be a revaluation of the property. Likewise with a new construction.
The relevant forms can usually be obtained from the local mairie or contact your tax office responsible for local property taxes, called the Centre des impôts fonciers within 90 days of practical completion. For new houses you should use Form H1, whilst for major improvements to an existing property you should use Form IL6704.
9.2.2. Exempted Properties
I. New Building