French income tax
Preparing a French income tax return: an English-language checklist
Before opening the online return, gather your income records for the year being declared, check your household details and identify any income that might not appear automatically. There is no single “expat form” that works for everyone. Your residence status, income types and any applicable tax treaty affect which forms and figures are relevant.
- Confirm the tax year and the household members concerned.
- List each country and each type of income.
- Flag any question about residence, a treaty, rental accounts or tax treatment for a qualified professional before entering figures.
Documents to bring together
| Area | What to locate | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and household | Tax number or previous return, address history, household and dependent details. | Did you move to or from France during the year? Did your household change? |
| Employment and pensions | Annual summaries from employers and pension providers, including foreign payers. | Compare your records with any amounts already filled in. |
| Investments and bank income | Statements showing interest, dividends, sales and any tax already paid. | Separate sources and countries; do not assume a foreign account is covered by French prefilled data. |
| Property and rentals | Property income records and any result prepared by the person responsible for rental accounts. | Furnished and unfurnished rental income are different situations. Do not invent an accounting result from raw receipts. |
| Other items | Documents supporting deductions, credits or payments you intend to report. | Check that the item applies to your situation before claiming it. |
The French tax authority explains that an online return contains information already known to it, but you must check whether those details are correct and complete. The list above is a preparation aid, not a list of all income or forms that every person must file.
Residence and foreign income need separate attention
“Living in France”, “owning a home in France” and “having French-source income” do not automatically lead to the same filing position. A move during the year, earnings abroad or residence in another country may require a country-specific assessment. The French tax authority says to consult the applicable tax treaty to establish how foreign-source income is treated.
Where foreign income must be reported in France, form 2047 and its instructions may be relevant alongside the main return. Which amounts and boxes apply cannot be established from a general checklist. If you are a non-resident with French-source income, use the tax authority’s non-resident guidance as a starting point and confirm the treaty treatment where necessary.
Review, submit and keep evidence
Check the year, identity, address, income figures and any annexes against your source documents before submission. Save a copy of what was filed and the confirmation available in your tax account. An avis de situation déclarative à l’impôt sur le revenu (ASDIR) can be available after an online declaration; it is distinct from the later tax assessment notice. The tax authority explains the difference and access to these documents.
Keep your personal login and verification codes to yourself. If someone assists you, agree in writing which parts they prepare, who makes any tax decisions and who submits under their own access.
What can France Sorted do?
French income tax return support is quoted for your situation: document checklist, preparation within the accepted scope, an English-language review and support through the agreed submission process. If a tax position or rental accounting result needs to be determined, a suitably qualified professional handles that decision or work. You can also ask solely for document coordination with your accountant.
Sources and review
Prepared by Alexandre Magnin, France Sorted. Reviewed 28 September 2026. Annual forms, dates and rules change; check the tax authority’s current instructions for the year you file. This checklist does not determine your tax residence, treaty position or taxable amounts.