You are considered a French tax resident if you meet any of the following criteria:
If you meet any one criterion, you are a French tax resident and are taxed on worldwide income. If none apply, you are a non-resident and are taxed only on French-source income. The "center of economic interests" test can be particularly important for expats with business interests spanning multiple countries.
France is unique in calculating income tax based on the household rather than the individual. The system divides total household income by a number of "parts" (shares) based on family composition, applies the progressive tax rate to the result, and then multiplies the tax by the number of parts. This system provides significant tax benefits to families.
| Family Situation | Number of Parts |
|---|---|
| Single, no children | 1.0 |
| Married/PACS, no children | 2.0 |
| Married/PACS, 1 child | 2.5 |
| Married/PACS, 2 children | 3.0 |
| Married/PACS, 3 children | 4.0 |
| Each additional child | +1.0 |
| Single parent, 1 child | 1.5 |
Example: A married couple with two children earns EUR 100,000 combined. Their income is divided by 3.0 parts = EUR 33,333. Tax on EUR 33,333 is calculated at progressive rates, then multiplied by 3.0. Without the quotient familial, the same income taxed as a single person would result in significantly higher tax. The benefit is capped at EUR 1,765 per half-share (demi-part) for 2025 income, limiting the advantage for high earners.
| Income per Part (EUR) | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 - 11,294 | 0% |
| 11,295 - 28,797 | 11% |
| 28,798 - 82,341 | 30% |
| 82,342 - 177,106 | 41% |
| 177,107+ | 45% |
These rates apply to the income per part (after dividing by the number of parts). The resulting tax is then multiplied by the number of parts. For a single person earning EUR 80,000, the 2025 income tax is approximately EUR 16,143—an effective rate of about 20.2%.
In addition to income tax, France levies social charges on various income types. These charges fund the social security system and are separate from income tax—they are not creditable under most tax treaties, which is a critical issue for expats:
| Income Type | Social Charge Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employment income | ~22% | CSG 9.2%, CRDS 0.5%, other contributions |
| Pension income (resident) | 9.1% | CSG 9.1% (reduced for low pensions) |
| Investment income (resident) | 17.2% | CSG 9.2%, CRDS 0.5%, solidarity 7.5% |
| Rental income (resident) | 17.2% | Same as investment income |
| Capital gains (resident) | 17.2% | Plus income tax at progressive rates |
Important for EU/EEA expats: Following a European Court of Justice ruling, France cannot impose the full 17.2% social charges on investment income, rental income, or capital gains of EU/EEA residents who are not affiliated with the French social security system. Affected individuals can claim a refund of the difference between the 17.2% charged and the 7.5% solidarity charge that remains applicable.
Since 2019, France withholds income tax at source through the PAYE system (prélèvement à la source). Your employer deducts tax from your salary monthly based on a rate (taux) calculated from your previous year's tax return. The rate is reviewed annually. Despite PAYE, you must still file an annual tax return to reconcile the total and declare non-salary income.
For expats arriving in France, the tax rate is initially based on your declared estimated income. After your first full year, the rate is calculated from your actual French tax return. If your income changes significantly, you can request a rate adjustment during the year.
France offers a special tax regime for employees and directors recruited from outside France to work in a French company. Under this regime (applicable until December 31, 2024, for new entrants, with modifications from 2025 onward), qualifying expatriates can benefit from:
The 2025 Finance Law modified the impatriate regime. New entrants from 2025 can elect either a 50% reduction on net salary (capped at EUR 100,000 reduction) or the previous structure of exempting foreign-source income within total compensation. The election is made at the start and applies for the duration of the regime (up to 8 years).
Non-residents are taxed only on French-source income. The default minimum rate is 20% for income up to EUR 28,797 and 30% above that threshold. However, non-residents can elect to be taxed at the progressive resident rates, which may produce a lower liability if their total worldwide income would fall in lower brackets. This election requires filing Form 2041 NR.
| French-Source Income | Non-Resident Default Rate | Treaty Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| French salary | Progressive rates or 20%/30% | Generally taxed in France if work performed there |
| French dividends | 12.8% (flat) + 17.2% social | Treaty may reduce to 5-15% |
| French interest | 12.8% (flat) | Treaty may reduce to 0-10% |
| French rental income | Progressive rates or 20%/30% | Generally taxed in France |
| French capital gains (shares) | 12.8% + 17.2% social | Treaty may reduce |
| French pensions | Progressive rates or 20%/30% | Mostly taxed in country of residence |
The taxe d'habitation was progressively abolished for primary residences and is fully eliminated since 2023. However, it still applies to secondary residences (résidences secondaires) in many municipalities. The tax is based on the notional rental value of the property (valeur locative cadastrale) multiplied by local rates, which vary significantly by commune.
All property owners in France must pay taxe foncière annually, whether or not they live in the property. The tax is based on the cadastral rental value and local rates. For a typical apartment in Paris, the annual taxe foncière ranges from EUR 800 to EUR 3,000 depending on size and location. New construction may benefit from a 2-year exemption.
Self-employed individuals and businesses operating from a premises in France must pay the CFE, a local business tax based on the rental value of the property used for the business. Those working from home may be exempt if their home office does not constitute a separate professional premises. New businesses are exempt in their first year and pay a reduced rate in the second year.
France's wealth tax (Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière, IFI) applies to real estate assets exceeding EUR 1.3 million. The tax is progressive, ranging from 0.5% to 1.5%:
| Net Real Estate Wealth (EUR) | Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 - 800,000 | 0% |
| 800,001 - 1,300,000 | 0.5% |
| 1,300,001 - 2,570,000 | 0.7% |
| 2,570,001 - 5,000,000 | 1% |
| 5,000,001 - 10,000,000 | 1.25% |
| 10,000,001+ | 1.5% |
For tax residents, IFI applies to worldwide real estate holdings. For non-residents, it applies only to French real estate. A 30% allowance is applied to the value of your primary residence. Expats with significant real estate portfolios should plan their French residency status carefully to manage IFI exposure.
The French tax year follows the calendar year. Online filing deadlines vary by department (département) and typically fall in late May or early June. Paper filing (for those eligible) is due in mid-May. After filing, you receive an avis d'imposition (tax notice) by August or September. For PAYE taxpayers, the notice reconciles amounts withheld during the year with the final tax liability, with any balance due in September.
First-time filers must create an account on impots.gouv.fr using their tax number (numéro fiscal) and reference amount. Expats arriving mid-year should declare their estimated income for the remainder of the year to receive an appropriate PAYE rate.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional advisor before making financial decisions. Rates, thresholds, and regulations change frequently — verify current figures with official government sources.