There are, of course, various tax and legal implications involved in the purchase and subsequent sale of any property in France -- whether it’s to be your main residence, holiday home or rental investment. How you finance your property will affect the transaction. It is best to have worked out as many financial elements as possible early on in the process. For instance, you should establish what exactly your budget is before making mortgage inquiries and filling in preliminary applications. You should also be aware of the various expenses and fees associated with the purchase.
"In some cases, it is recommended that
the property be inspected before making an offer.
Such inspections are carried out by a valuer
(expert immobilier)".
When you buy your property, you should register with the French Taxation Centre for Non-Residents. You will be sent an annual tax return which can prove invaluable as a record of your assets in France should you decide to sell your property, the proceeds of which may be subject to capital gains tax. Provided no income is made on the property (you do not rent it out, for example) your tax return will be left blank.
"France
has various double-taxation agreements with
other countries. These offer favorable arrangements,
particularly with regard to rental income. We
recommend that you contact a fiscal adviser
to ensure you comply with tax legislation".