When we arrived here in early 2007, it was with a Form E106, which would give us 2 years membership of the CMU. That same year, the French made two changes (which seemed not to infiltrate all the many CPAM Offices, who had their own various interpretations on how the situation should be) - basically they said that from November of that year, new entrants to the country without a form E121 would have to make their own individual health care arrangements, using private health insurance (to their considerable cost) until such time as they were of pensionable age (I believe that this was considered illegal in Brussels). They were discouraging "inactifs" of which I was one, having taken early retirement from UK Air Traffic Control - I would not be pensionable from the State point of view until this coming January.
So my sole income was my private pension, which I elected to have paid (and taxed) in France. I already pay for my health care via my CMU affiliation through URSSAF (or whatever it's called - I keep thinking it's the US Air Force!) at the rate of 1100 Euros a year, plus the various taxes in relation to living in my own property in France, plus Income Tax, which again, is based purely on my private pension.
So they now want another 1100 Euros. Where will it end?
Chris
Well my 'bill' appears to be charged solely upon my UK private pension, which is paid here in France, and taxed here in France.
Chris
Hi Finn and thanks for taking the time to reply. I fully take on board what you say about individual situations resulting in differing answers - but in this thread there has be reference to ; retired or not, tax on non residents ; new tax ; unearned income etc etc.
My situation is simple and cannot be uncomon. I am french resident & taxpayer and an AE running a small business. I am not retired. I have paid this tax now for two or three years and it is based on mu uk bank interest and my revenue (after abattement).
I can see nothing on the Avis for this charge indicating who is eligable and who is exonerated and would be most greateful if anyone can point me to some official document which references that.
By the way, I know this has been touched on before - but I am new to this forum, but why does the reply to which I am replying, seem to sit randomly in the string of threads - instead of at the beginning or the end. One would expect the latest contribution to apear at the head of the string and the rest to follow in reverse chronological order.
Thanks to all
geoff
Helo Caroline
I subscribed to this forum in the hope of getting some clarification on Prelevements Sociaux - and I beieve I have now read though about 10 pages before I got to your comment which seems to be right on target.
Correct me in I am wrong but firstly, fom my observation, this has nothing to with an attack on "foreigners" but is a tax based on earnings and other income. For us it is calculated on the income from our b&b business (we are AE's) plus from uk bank interest. I hope I am wrong, but as we are not retired, I see no way out of paying it;
Regards
Geoff
Oh I now that feeling!! I have been told that our tax form was filled in incorrectly when it was actually filled in at the hotel des impots by one of her colleagues. We had, at one point, 3 of them standing in the tiny cubicle, practically shouting at each other.
About to tackle it all again. Thanks to everyone who has posted their advice.
Cheers, me too. Good local Pecharmont...
I was a mere parish councillor, did one stint as chair and set up a rotation system that still operates in that village. I took none of the expenses I was allowed or any other allowance and as chair the hours put into it when people think it is one meeting a month... I did it for the village and few hamlets, not for myself and helped end a few generations of malpractice. Enough. I might still stand in this commune, just to be a fly in the ointment...
Thanks both!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time for a glass of wine- not champers thanks!
I would agree David; I was brought up by working class folk.....my lorry driver dad made it clear at my school that his children would not be doing homework...schoolwork was done in schooltime! it was well meant! I was an ardent communist later socialist....and now my politics are my own...I dont mean my own business, but my own brand...I believe that we all need work, that we all have a duty to pay taxes to be part of society; I dont want freeloaders, but equally like a country that is a good mixing pot of nationalities; education is everything....my children were educated in the local school because I wanted my kids to be grounded, not like the other GPs kids in my husbands practice. We brought our kids up to believe they could do anything if they wanted it enough....they did and they have.....as a nurse I work in NHS hospitals, my choice. I dont have class envy nor do I have any anger about those born with more privileges than I had, I perceive them as equals in the same way someone who is homeless is no less a person. I dont however make allowances for the work shy, those that bend the rules, take benefits they are not entitled to or those that manipulate the system. You are talking a lot of sense David.
Brian...in many ways we are different...but in many we are the same...I am hoping to become a local council member here....I was horrified when I learnt how much some council members take in salary, and of course there are many rumours about the backhanders many take and expect as part of the job... its not what serving your community is all about! If I had my time again I would go into politics.....and like you not expect to feather my nest
David, I spent 40 plus years officially based in Cantabrigensis, which put me anongst the 'elite' at Johns. You, and some of my friends, came out of those schools and some people I know to this day still would not set a foot in Tooting, indeed they would not even employ servants from such places. You and I know they still exist. Over the years they have forgotten my council estate origins and there is a class system amongst them - those who go into unreal worlds such as banking and politics who start loaded and those who have real jobs as you did. Unfortunately the UK has a political elite educated for office as has France (see how many of Hollande's cabinet studied with him). It is time for that to end everywhere, I treat it not as snobbery but time to put people who know more about the world in positions where they can serve the populace who elect them. For now, I shall remain a life fellow and a member of a royal institute because I still need to earn a bean...
I agree with quite alot of what you say Brian apart from the old rubbish class envy thing about public schools. I am personally grateful I went to one. My father didn't and my mother did. My grandfathers were part of Victorian and Edwardian society that believed in working hard and pushing ahead. My sons did but my daughter almost certainly won't. The alternative at the time for my sons were some pretty unsalubrious schools in Tooting, some of which you know. It's crude to criticise people about their education and you should mark their contribution to society not just lard up on the old prejudices. Personally I made it my business to interact in a very normal way with people of different races, backrounds, religions (and none) and intellectual grasp and I believe my life to be better for it. I have seen lots of people who seem obliged to take off my accent when they speak to me and on my first day at architectural college back in 63 I even had some ignoramus who asked me if I was queer simply because I had been to public school! I avoided the temptation to swat him and eventually he just dropped out of the course. Those who go about criticising others based on simple prejudice often have something pretty unpleasant about them. Personally I would never abuse somebody who on first evidence might seem to fit the old perception of a yobbo or pleb, but I might get a bit cross with somebody who didn't really properly consider their opinions of people. This is not meant to be a challenge to incite a torrent of abuse about public schools, but another alumni of my own skule, Waugh, was pretty adept at that. Another, Jan Morris, decided he wanted to be a she. Chacun a son gout.
In one sense or another it is corruption. To become a politician is meant to be to go into the service of the people, for the people. If I was younger I would seriously consider it and probably to my detriment rather than gain.
Im not suggesting corruption....they are quite blatantly overpaying themselves and refusing to account for their expenses......they think its unreasonable to thwart their activities....I find that unpalatable. We have plenty of MPs that cheat the system here but they know when they are wrong and doing something wrong...it doesnt seem to occur to the French politicians that they are in any way treating themselves differently to every other person in the country!
Carol write me a list of countries where there is no political corruption at present!
Did you hear the latest on Greece....to imprison the editor that publishes the names of those who are cheating the system and hiding money that remains untaxed shows a somewhat confused attitude dont you think? I gather there is at least one politician in that lot...what I dont understand is why they were not imprisoned instead of the poor editor!
Euroland will either go bust...and if Greece goes which it should by rights, then its likely that Portugal, Italy, Spain etc will follow.....or it will rise like the Phoenix from the ashes...at the moment I think it could go either way.
In the affluent South East Brian, employment levels are very high....knock on effect is there are few jobs available. I worked in Birmingham for years and know the difference; My ex boss at RNIB, a brummie, was initially a social worker....at 62 he was made redundant by RNIB; he is now 66 and still working in the Black Country as a senior social worker. If you have any qualifications Brian there are jobs. If you have no qualifications there are jobs...many minimum wage that people dont want. Ive yet to go to an area and look in the local paper and fine no jobs. Expectations are not always met, and some would rather not work than work for a low pay cheque. Some areas offer no hope of employment, and then a person has to decide what kind of life they want....its a case of making a choice.
You have me wrong Brian, I love France; I love the country, I love the people, what I dont like is the lack of opportunities in France for businesses; the overpowering interference by the government in what you can and cant do in your business; the nanny state; the stringent taxes; the endless bl**dy red tape; the officials who pout, shrug and say nothing of use, take a pay cheque and do nothing to earn it; the overpayment of politicians and their huge expense accounts that they dont have to account for (no suggestion that maybe they should take a cut in their expenses whilst the rest of France bleeds money).....but that aside, I think France is one of the most interesting and diverse countries in the world, get rid of the political system and I would love it even more!
One in five people across the UK is earning below the minimum wage if you read TUC figures released yesterday. You are very privileged. Approximately 1,750 people more are losing jobs than getting them in the UK according to the ONS. You, Carol, are in the somewhat privileged Southeast as was I for most of my years there. Midlands and up and much of it is a wasteland in many, too many places.
You and I have prejudices and you dislike France, I deeply, deeply dislike the hypocricy of the British ruling classes who are absolutely not upfront. Of all politicians there is no greater bunch of rogues than the old public school boys who are dipping in less well off pockets and lining well off pockets. They will dig deeper and deeper and the uncomplaining English will dither away into poverty and obscurity. Then they will weep and wail when it is too late, as usual. The waiting list for joining the Euro is now three countries since yesterday and probably they'll all be in within the next four years. Greece is getting a hand up but the right wing press simply says they will be collapsing tomorrow, next week or whenever...
The market index shows property prices within 80km of London edging up slightly, once beyond Coventry, into Wales or Scotland they are falling week on week comparably with France. Personally I hope the SNP manage to rout the disaffection with the idea of independence and that in 2014 we leave the union and stay in Europe, join the Euro and show England a middle finger. Whilst all of that is happening Osborne will be squeezing hard and when the howl goes up I shall grin from ear to ear. There is a marginal difference between what I have in my pocket here and there, slightly less here but many things are actually less like my stoppages as an AE compared to what I was paying. I live in the French economy and do not spend my every waking moment comparing what something cost me here or there although I do order online and 'import' things of course. That is common sense, not exactly about here and there prices but making economies much as I would even if I was there.
Carol, by the way, I saw the head nurse in Bergerac today. They have been short of nurses for about four years, he would happily take on UK trained nurses. He speaks absolutely perfect English for anyone looking. His only reservation was about the geriatrics bit down the road where he said the staff are treated more like servants than nurses, so best stay away.
I dont totally disagree, but I am speaking as someone in the UK and paying UK taxes. I think France is better at hiding the problems and the UK is more upfront. Employment figures have always been played around with, statistics are able to prove what you want them to prove. But I know that my shopping here is cheaper; my car repair was cheaper; my car insurance is cheaper;
Jobs being advertised locally are diverse and offer from minimum wage to what I consider a very good wage.....the jobs Ive applied for were from 35k upwards, not all in the area of nursing where I have my main qualifications; I have the opportunity to work in different fields but because of good experience and transferable skills can expect to be paid well. I do know my standard of living is higher in the UK and frankly Brian, I would never have believed I would have said that, especially 3 years ago when we first moved to France.
Today I visited my local library and bought 9 books from their yearly sale....for under £3 the lot... 30p each. 6 music cds for 50p each. At the weekend a friend and I had an M&S meal for 2 for £10, main course, puds and a bottle of wine, excellent value. Tonight Im going to the local corn exchange to see a new film for £6.20. My weekly shop at Tesco included a 5lbs chicken for £6 and an Aberdeen sirloin steak hung for 30 days, 7oz for £6. My electricity use is easier for me to work out....there are no red days where I have to stay out all day and try not to use the electricity...I am certainly not paying more for utilities. My salary tax is less than it would be in France...so I am not sure where the extra taxes are. Ive certainly not been asked by Cameron for a contribution.
Friends still working at the hostel where I was working last year confirmed that residents are going into paid employment earlier, because dole money is not so easily had, job seekers allowance is only paid to job seekers. This is not so bad in my reckoning. Whilst I firmly believe in aiding people unable to find employment, there is a solid number of folk not wishing to work.
I have real concerns about the Euro...along with many others....and Euroland is proving to be a place where many no longer wish to take a gamble and buy property....this isnt true of the UK, you only need to see the number of properties being sold to the new French immigrants in London who are snapping up top price properties.
In France taxes are in your face, in the UK many of the are concealed behind something, called something else or pretend absolutely not to be taxes.
Beginnings of growth are words from the mouths of politicians, sympathetic bankers and press. Mervyn King has warned them not to speak too soon just last week and economists are across the board not even slightly optimistic. So, jingoism in the UK works as well as ever.
If you followed political media you would have seen some time ago that the real unemployment figures are shocking but the ONS is able to give far more rosy ones because of all those people forced into 'voluntary' and 'job experience' posts who receive training allowances instead of wages which is little short, not my words, of modern slavery.
Carol, sorry to disagree. I did not say one thing positive about France there except that you gets what you sees, but my comparison is merely that the UK and other countries are no better. It is a global mess and will bring ALL countries down in a heap. The UK is far, far better at covering up the mess at present. The amount of money Osborne wishes to raise will put up every which way of taking money out of your pocket. Given the size of the deficit, how many people/households will or can contribute to it take a look at the raw figures, do some simple arithmetic and then tell me whether that is true or not.
Sorry Brian, I disagree. The French are not upfront about their situation....I will look up the quote of one French MP who said in the newspapers last year....that the French government had not done their books for a number of years and the true state of things would frighten them. It both annoys and irritates me that the French Government act like parents to the populace; The 'overtly capitalist' UK has a much better employment rate; encourages individuals to start businesses and doesnt tax them to death. The job for life in the UK public system doesnt exist anymore. There is not the situation of people in posts not earning their money, sadly that is not the case in France. There is a lot more fat in the system in the UK....France has skimmed all the fat off the system and thus the tax bills will rise and rise until no one can pay anymore. Worse, France doesnt learn that to encourage entrepreneurs would help their country out of the present mess.
The UK has got the beginnings of growth. I am back in the UK now and there is a much more positive vibe. Where I live half a dozen new shops have opened in the last couple of months. As a 58 year old who hasnt worked for a year....I was offered no less than 7 jobs out of the dozen I applied for. All my friends and my friends children are employed. The cost of living is certainly cheaper if you take the initial cost of houses out of the equation. Shopping in Tesco and Sainsburys is a joy.....leg of lamb for £12 instead of the 26 euros I paid a couple of weeks ago in Le Clerc. House prices here are not tumbling. We sold a house 3 years ago and its valued at 27k more than when we sold. Houses are selling fast here...usual amount of time is 7 weeks on the market. I am having my hip replaced at the hospital I have worked in for nearly 33 years off and on. The NHS are providing for all my care, I am not having to take out insurance. Sorry Brian, for me the figures dont stack up, and France is at the moment, in a worse place than the UK is. Of course, I would say that wouldn't I?