Do you know the difference between a social charge and an income tax? Between real estate taxes and the habitation tax? Tax rates in France are not always high – sometimes they are significantly lower than in other countries. But you won’t know how the French system will affect your finances unless you understand what these charges are and when they apply. So, we’ve put together a quick decoder for you below on the basic charges you might see as a resident in France.

It’s no secret that France has an excellent health care system. The system is paid for through social charges on the earnings of everyone who lives here. And for some residents, this comes in the form of the so-called PUMa tax. This article explains what it is, how it’s calculated and who pays it.

Back in June last year, we published a post on why you might want to close out your living trust before moving to France. At that time, a new ruling from France’s Conseil d’État had dramatically changed how French tax authorities were going to have to treat money received from a trust. And everyone was left with some pretty significant questions. One year on, we received guidance back from the Ministry of Economy and Finance on one of the cases we were following. So what do we know now?

Going over a few basic facts about what you need to report, how to report it, and best of all, how to do it as painlessly as possible.

Preparing for tax season as a US expat in France.

Moving to France: A retreat from October 4 to October 11, 2025 at Chateau de Borie in Agen, France.

Personal finance and getting a drivers license in France.

Why you might need to close your revocable or living trust before you move to France.

Calculating your capital gains taxes on the sale of a U.S. home as an expat in France.

Answers from a French mortgage broker on getting a mortgage in France.

Understanding how seconded employees or Intra-Corporate Transfers work when a U.S. employee is sent to a posting in France: taxes, social charges, visas and labor protections.

For Americans living abroad in France: knowing which investments to keep in the U.S. and which to keep in French accounts.

Understanding French visas and work authorisations for Americans in France.

Estate tax issues for Americans in France

France visa: the passeport talent visas

Self-employment and taxes in France: understand how your business activity is classified in the French system.

Using the French micro-entreprise rules as an American expat - simplified administration for freelancers, artisans and other solo-business owners in France.

Planning for college as an American expat family in France. What accounts? Where to keep them? How much do you need?