Last Thursday, the Chambre des Notaires in Paris held a special meeting open to the public to discuss the recent changes to the wealth and capital gains tax laws implemented by President Hollande.  Our managing partner, Kerstin Bachmann, was there in person to take notes.  

Over the last months, the French media has been reveling in gloomy news about the French economy and more specifically about expected trends in the real estate market. But their predictions of a downturn ignore some fundamental facts.  It’s a great time to invest in Paris real estate and here’s why:

This private mansion has fallen under controversy in the last five years as its new owner, a brother of the Emir of Qatar, has embarked upon restoring it.  Located on the tip of Île Saint-Louis, in the 4th arrondissement, the Hotel Lambert, designed by architect Louis Le Vau was originally built between 1640 and 1644 for the financier […]

It’s that time of the year again, the rentrée.  Each September marks a new work season, highlighted by predictions of the financial and real estate markets for the coming year.

With the publication last Friday of the Amended Finance Law (Loi de Finance Rectificative 2012), the French government instituted an “extraordinary wealth contribution” retroactively effective as of January 1, 2012.

The August lull that sends most Parisians running to the beaches for vacation did not slow the French government from passing important “rectifying” changes in the taxation of real estate gains, rental income and net wealth.

Rental income and sales of investment property or second homes by French residents have always been subject to social security contributions (payroll taxes). The previous rate of 13.5% was raised to to 15.5% on July 1st of this year. Unlike in the United States, gains realized from the sale of a primary residence are not […]

Mayor Delanoë continues to press his position that rentals of under one year (9 months to students) are unlawful unless the apartment in question has “commercial”, rather than “residential”, status. Like minds disagree as to whether this position is correct and sustainable in the courts, but either way there are some things that can be […]

There are quite a few changes coming to the banks of the Seine river in upcoming years, including one that will transform the highway along the right and left banks into pedestrian walkways.

President Hollande’s proposed income and wealth tax changes have caused at least some wealthy French residents to start looking for greener pastures with less burdensome taxes.