France

Overview

Last reviewed - 18 March 2024

France is a founding member of the European Union (EU) and a member of the G7, G20, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and World Trade Organization (WTO). It is divided into 12 metropolitan regions, with Paris as the capital. The official language of France is French, and the currency is the euro (EUR).

The French government still maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and aerospace and defence industries. With at least 89 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world.

PwC has developed expertise in France in audit, accounting, and consultancy for businesses of all sizes, in public and private sectors. PwC and PwC Société d’Avocats, its correspondent law firm, have over 6,000 professionals in 14 offices in France. PwC Société d’Avocats offers a multidisciplinary response capacity by mobilising teams of lawyers and professional specialists in taxation, business law, and employment law to provide services in the following areas:

  • Corporate income tax
  • Tax audits and tax litigation
  • Mergers and acquisitions (tax and legal)
  • Tax strategy
  • Business transfers (tax and legal)
  • Corporate law
  • Business restructuring (tax and legal)
  • Commercial law
  • International taxation
  • Contract law
  • Local taxes
  • Banking and financial services
  • Transfer pricing and value chain transformation (VCT)
  • Securities law and regulatory
  • Tax management and accounting services
  • Structured finance
  • Taxation of financial products
  • Competition law and distribution
  • Real estate tax
  • EU law
  • Green taxes
  • Social security law
  • Value-added tax (VAT)
  • Insurance law
  • Customs duties and excise taxes
  • Real estate law
  • Personal taxation
  • Environmental law and sustainable development
  • Management of international mobility
  • Intellectual property law
  • Property taxation
  • Information technology law
  • Employee stock option plan and other tax incentives
  • Corporate governance

Quick rates and dates

Corporate income tax (CIT) rates
Headline CIT rate (%)

25

Corporate income tax (CIT) due dates
CIT return due date

Regarding FYs which end on 31 December, by end of May of the following year.

CIT final payment due date

Regarding FYs which end on 31 December, on 15 May of the following year.

CIT estimated payment due dates

By way of four instalments (i.e. which have to be filed and paid on 15 March, 15 June, 15 September, and 15 December for FYs which end on 31 December).

Personal income tax (PIT) rates
Headline PIT rate (%)

45, plus surtax and social surcharges

Personal income tax (PIT) due dates
PIT return due date

Mid-May

PIT final payment due date

15 September

PIT estimated payment due dates

Two instalments (15 February and 15 May) or monthly instalments (15th day of each month from January to October inclusive).

Value-added tax (VAT) rates
Standard VAT rate (%)

Turnover tax: 20

Withholding tax (WHT) rates
WHT rates (%) (Dividends/Interest/Royalties)

Resident: NA;

Non-resident (companies): 25 / 0 / 25

Non-resident (individuals): 12.8 / 0 / 25

Capital gains tax (CGT) rates
Headline corporate capital gains tax rate (%)

Capital gains are subject to the normal CIT rate.

Headline individual capital gains tax rate (%)

30, plus exceptional income tax for high earners at 4%

Net wealth/worth tax rates
Headline net wealth/worth tax rate (%)

1.5

Inheritance and gift tax rates
Headline inheritance tax rate (%)

60

Headline gift tax rate (%)

60

NA stands for Not Applicable (i.e. the territory does not have the indicated tax or requirement)

NP stands for Not Provided (i.e. the information is not currently provided in this chart)

All information in this chart is up to date as of the 'Last reviewed' date on the corresponding territory Overview page. This chart has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only, and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this chart without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this chart, and, to the extent permitted by law, PwC does not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this chart or for any decision based on it.