In August, we reported on the much-welcomed tax relief on real estate sales, which was immediately applied to any sale finalized after September 1, 2013. The changes were intended to offset the government’s wholesale revision of the capital gains tax laws in 2012, which had discouraged property owners from selling and thus significantly curbed the […]

Financial regulators and rating agencies have named France the strongest real estate market in Europe.  According to reports by the Joint Forum and Standard & Poor’s, that strength is primarily due to two French banking trends in particular: a large number of secured loans, and strict lending criteria.

President Hollande has made good on his promise to pull back on the dramatic increases in taxes imposed on property sales in France over the last two years.  In releasing the details of the new plan, Budget Minister Bernard Cazeneuve cited the “perverse effects of the current system,” specifically the significant decrease in the volume […]

Question:  I own an apartment in Paris.  I am a US citizen.  I want to become a permanent resident in France.  Once I achieve residency, if I sell my apartment to purchase another apartment (bigger), do I pay capital gains tax? Is there a minimum time for the residency requirement?

The French press is abuzz with stories about 1+ million euro properties hitting the Paris real estate market in recent weeks as a result of looming tax-hikes.  What does this mean for the non-resident Paris lover ready to invest in a Paris pied-a-terre?  Could it be a short-term buying opportunity? Paris Property Group takes a look at the silver […]

In response to the stark reduction in the volume of real estate sales nationwide and the resulting loss in capital gains tax revenue, President Hollande proposed to reduce the capital gains tax on real estate sales – for a limited time.

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.  

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 […]

In France, no capital gains tax is paid on the sale of a primary residence. However for second homeowners big changes are looming.