French Communication Services

11/04/2024

FRENCH IMPOTS / TAX WEBSITE NOT WORKING TODAY!

Just a quick reassuring note from French Wordsmith that if you’re trying to access your online impots / tax space and you can’t, just hang fire!

It is not your system nor anything you have or haven’t done – it is a technical fault their end.

The website is either showing error messages or ‘service not available’ or you can get access but not see any documents or online income tax declaration forms.

There is a technical team behind the scenes frantically trying to sort out the problem – on this, the first day that the online declaration system should be live. What joy!

So, you can happily sit back and have a cuppa, or go and do something more interesting instead!

ABOUT FRENCH WORDSMITH:
For translation, interpretation and administration help, contact
French Communication Services for all your paperwork needs in France - so you don't get tangled in its red tape!

Call now to connect with business.

10/04/2024

Etcetera magazine April edition - well worth a read!

Great for everything in your local community in the Vienne, Haute Vienne, Charente, North Dordogne, and south Deux-Sevres... from events, concerts and festivals to shops, produce, products and services.

Do you have your copy of April's etcetera magazine?
Don't forget you can view the digital version plus the previous year's editions for free! Visit our website www.etceteraonline.org
Packed full of content (nature, history, gardening, expert advice, health, local and reliable advertisers)... there's something for everyone!

27/10/2023

Driving in France with a UK license and wondering if you need to exchange it for a French one? Hesitant to apply without understanding things better? Heard of the joys of applying via the fickle French government website ANTS and need guidance before taking the plunge?

Look no further… just click below to get answers to your questions via my blog article: “Do you need to change your UK driving license for a French permis?” which gives clear explanations on when, and who, needs to apply.

You can then decide if you need my low-cost DIY tutorial to guide you every step of the way: from gathering the right documents and submitting the application through to getting the French permis.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Established in 2007, French Wordsmith has solved thousands of problems for English-speakers living in France. A trusted source of information, support and guidance, you can choose from a wide range of translation and administration products and services to suit your budget - and your needs.

“All the hassle and problems were very quickly reduced to minor inconveniences…” Chris McGovern

21/10/2023

Driving in France with a UK license and wondering if you need to exchange it for a French one? Hesitant to apply without understanding things better? Heard of the joys of applying via the fickle French government website ANTS and need guidance before taking the plunge?

Look no further… just click below to read my free blog “Do you need to change your UK driving license for a French permis?” with clear explanations on when, and who, needs to apply. You can then decide if you need my low-cost DIY tutorial to guide you every step of the way: from gathering the right documents and submitting the application through to getting the French permis.

NEED TO KNOW MORE?
Established in 2007, French Wordsmith has solved thousands of problems for English-speakers living in France. A trusted source of information, support and guidance, you can choose from a wide range of translation and administration products and services to suit your budget - and your needs.

“All the hassle and problems were very quickly reduced to minor inconveniences…” Chris McGovern

In the good ol’ days – before Brexit – most holders of a UK driving license, and resident in France, never gave this much though. However; with the joys of Brexit there followed much confusion as to when – and if – an application needs to be done.

20/10/2023

Feeling frazzled in France? Loving your life but short on time and money? Here’s how to get some low-cost help around the home - even on a tight budget….

If you dream of some respite in the form of a cleaner, gardener or handyman, a tutor for your kids, or support in your twilight years, it’s not as costly as you might think.

Using one of France’s best kept secrets – the Chèque Emploi Service Universel (CESU) – you will be super happy to know that you get back 50% of the total cost spent on home-help services as a tax credit from the French government - either paid directly into your bank account or as a reduction on any income tax due.

SO WHAT IS THERE NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THAT?

So, what’s the catch? There really isn’t one. It’s simply that most people don’t know about this French government scheme.

Of course, you do need to follow the CESU regulations, which is where I come in with a FREE article “How to save money and reduce household costs with CESU” - just click below to read it on the French Wordsmith blog.

You can then decide if you need my low-cost DIY tutorial which explains, step-by-step how to set it all up: from making your declarations and payments through getting back 50% of your costs.

26/05/2023

LIVING IN FRANCE AND IN A PAPERWORK PICKLE?
French Wordsmith can help you navigate out of the bureaucratic maze…
Choose from a range of services and products to suit your pocket and circumstances:

• Book a face-to-face meeting for a steer out of choppy waters, and become a client later if that suits you best: www.frenchwordsmith.fr/meetings
• Or sign up to for my bespoke client services so you can sit back and relax: www.frenchwordsmith.fr/client-services
• Stay in complete control with my low-cost DIY guides and tutorials: https://www.frenchwordsmith.fr/resources-for-diy
• Get ahead of the rules and regulations via my FREE articles: https://www.frenchwordsmith.fr/blog
• And don’t forget to pop over to YouTube for the FREE video shorts: www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVHeV-OsvpiRMlAXmMfxaQ

All this and more at www.frenchwordsmith.fr

Help with French paperwork and translations. Est. 2007/ SIRET 504 587 924 00011/ MMA Pro Insured

10/02/2023

French Wordsmith ‘Happy’ Information: 100 euros fuel payment for those using their car for work

In an effort to safeguard purchasing power and limit the effects of fuel price increases, the French government is providing a one-off vehicle fuel payment of 100 euros for those using their car for work or professional use. This includes salaried employees, micro-enterprises and other professional business owners.

The application is simple and made via www.impots.gouv.fr
The deadline is 28 February 2023.

To benefit from this payment, you must meet all of the following conditions:
1. be established in Metropolitan France, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique or Reunion Island and be fiscally domiciled in France (according to the provisions set out in Article 4 B of the General Tax Code) for the year 2021;
2. be at least 16 years old on December 31, 2021;
3. to have declared 2021 income from a work or professional activity under one of following headings:
- salaries and wages or similar income (excluding unemployment and early retirement);
- industrial and commercial profits (BIC) microentrepreneurs or professionals;
- non-commercial profits (BNC) for microentrepreneurs or professionals;
- agricultural profits (BA).
4. belong to a tax household whose after-tax income figure (revenue fiscal de reference) per ‘part’ for the year 2021 is less than or equal to €14,700
5. not be liable for the real estate wealth tax (IFI) for 2021;
6. use a vehicle for professional purposes (including home-to-work trips) that is regularly insured.

IMPORTANT: Each person can only receive one payment - and each vehicle can only relate to one payment. However, the same tax household can benefit from several payments if each working / professional person is using a different car.

Example: In an eligible household with 4 cars and 3 salaried employees, there may be 3 payments (but not 4). In an eligible household with 1 car and 2 micro-entrepreneurs, there can be 1 payment (but not 2).

Although you do not apply via your private impots space, the system uses the bank details already stored – so check they are up to date.

How to work out your after-tax income per ‘part’
Divide your revenue fiscal de reference (after-tax total) by the number of ‘parts’ (both are stated on your last end of year tax statement (avis d’’impot sur le revenue 2021, declaration 2022)
If you are unsure of your eligibility, use the simulator here to check: https://www.impots.gouv.fr/simulateur-ict or call 0 806 000 229 Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 7:00pm.

NOTE: Jenny Smith EI, French Wordsmith, offers comprehensive translation, administration, and support services for English-speaking people in France on just about anything you can think of – from business and building to health, home, residence and schooling – and if she doesn’t know the answer, she will find someone who does.

Contact her via mail: [email protected]

07/10/2022

French Wordsmith Translation and Administration Services:
Top Tip No. 14 Legal Protection Guarantee

Many people living in France are unaware of the relatively common ‘legal protection guarantee’ which, I would humbly suggest, is an essential additional insurance well worth the money (and no, I am not getting any commission from this post from anyone 😊).

If you are lucky, you will never need it, but increasingly clients are coming to me for translation support for accusations or legal cases being made against them. Often after the sale of a house, sometimes as landlords, sometimes linked to their business activity. There are also complexities on occasion from a wide range of other situations where an accusation is made, or following a road accident.

While I am delighted to be able to support them to navigate the legal system by appointing a lawyer or notaire, acting as a point of liaison and translating for meetings and correspondence, it would be best for all involved if at least the weighty costs of a lawyer could be reduced.

This is where a “legal protection guarantee” called “la garantie protection juridique” comes into its own and can significantly lighten associated costs.

The French government’s public service website article F3049 explains in a nutshell:
(NB You can search for it online using key words: service public F3049)

"legal protection" guarantee is an insurance that allows you, in case of a dispute with a third party or in case of legal proceedings, to obtain assistance from your insurer. You can purchase this warranty alone or with another insurance contract. Its cost varies according to the formula chosen. The costs covered by the guarantee and the excluded costs are indicated in the contract.”

This simply means that, depending on your specific contract (so check the small print carefully), if you have “la garantie protection juridique” some or all of your legal costs in defending an action against you, or when seeking compensation from a third party, may be paid for under the guarantee. This could include obtaining legal information, finding an amicable solution to a dispute between you and a third party (such as a neighbour); appointing a lawyer to defend your case, or paying for an ‘expert’ to make a neutral inspection or assessment on your behalf.

Legal protection is usually not automatically included in house or professional insurance, so you need to specifically ask for a quote and then ask for it to be added. Do check exactly what it does and doesn’t entitle you to, and if you don’t understand what the scope of the contract is, then ask them to explain it in detail.

For me, that peace of mind is well worth the relatively small additional monthly cost.

NOTE: Jenny Smith EI, French Wordsmith, offers comprehensive translation, administration, and support services for English-speaking people in France on just about anything you can think of – from business and building to health, home, residence and schooling – and if she doesn’t know the answer, she will find someone who does.

Contact her via mail: [email protected]