Yes you’re right of course, I’ll shut up after this. It’s just that I like happy endings and I’m not sure this story is on course for one. I’ve had the feeling all the way through this thread that the OP hasn’t fully taken on board how important the visa application is, and if she doesn’t get her ducks in a straighter row than they seem to be the moment, what with outstanding debts to the state and all, I don’t see how her application is going to be approved.
Call me cynical but…I don’t think this one will end happily…just a hunch 
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Hi Diana,
What a shocker! Below are 3 links to sites that give good explanations on non-resident rental taxation. Is the French tax authority adding a penalty?
https://www.french-property.com/guides/france/working-in-france/letting-property/taxation/
and
https://www.frenchentree.com/french-property/french-tax/tax-liability-on-rental-income-in-france/ https://www.frenchentree.com/french-property/french-tax/tax-liability-on-rental-income-in-france/
and
http://www.groupe-mercure.com/en/our-services/taxation-of-foreigners-in-france.html http://www.groupe-mercure.com/en/our-services/taxation-of-foreigners-in-france.html
Maybe contact an accounting firm and get advice. I don’t know if the following link helps with taxes but I do know that she’s been in business advising people for a long time so may be able to give you advice. http://www.startbusinessinfrance.com/blog/post/small-business-advice-in-france-in-plain-english http://www.startbusinessinfrance.com/blog/post/small-business-advice-in-france-in-plain-english
Good luck,
Éidín
Since you responded, perhaps you enjoy the excruciating bit? And yes, we have drifted off the original set of questoins.
Anna,
I appreciate your input, even if it we have gotten off the original topic. I do understand the importance and that is why I’m trying to figure all this out a year in advance! Any leads on a good tax person?
Interesting strategy. If they had sent a form where I could itemize, I would’ve. And yes, I need a good tax person. Any suggestions?
You are a cynic! I’m generally optimistic, but I do realize there’s a lot I need to sort out. That’s why I’m on the forum a year in advance. Helpful information appreciated. Got a tax accountant to suggest?
Eldin,
Super grateful for this info. I will dig, dig, dig. Thanks.
I know I’m supposed to have shut up, but it occurred to me that you said this tax thing happened 2 years ago. You’re still renting, so now you know you have to declare the income in France, you have been submitting a tax form each year since, haven’t you?
France puts the onus fair and square on the taxpayer to know their obligations and meet them, it’s not the tax office’s responsibility to send out forms and chase people up. If you declare up to 30 days late your bill has an automatic 20% penalty added, if you declare over 30 days late it’s 40%, and if you don’t submit a declaration at all and the tax office discovers you should have, it’s 80%. If you haven’t declared your 2016 French rental income yet you could still do it less than 30 days late if you act now, since the deadline for paper declarations was 17 May. As Eidin says, most of what you owe could in fact be penalties for not declaring.
@Diana_Lynn Hi Diana - I’ve seen the two replies you’ve sent me - interesting. I don’t have an accountant to suggest for you.
It would seem to me that if you own the apartment in Rouen, you should have been required to pay the “Tax Fonciere” payments each full year that you have owned it. Perhaps this is what the €2,000 was (albeit a bit high for an apartment but not impossible. Otherwise I concur fully with Simon & Anna regarding their comments and advise.
Thanks, Simon. Fingers crossed.
Hi Anna,
I didn’t ask you to shut up and I am pleased to get the clarity and information from you. I appreciate it and maybe it will also help others. Thanks.
Hi Graham,
I have been paying taxes foncieres every year. So, yes, this is a different kettle of fish. (Why to I keep using metaphors on this thread?) Thanks for your response.
Interesting then…seems odd that they have determined a set amount each year going forward. It is worth having a good accountant check this out for you. Unfortunately I do not know anyone in the northern part of the country. Has the tenant been paying the Tax D’habitation?
Is it that amount “going forward”? I understood that to be the amount that was demanded retrospectively for the years when no declaration had been submitted. Have re-read the post and still can’t see where it says that’s the figure for future years (I don’t see how it could be) but I may have misunderstood. I’m still worrying because it sounds like the OP hasn’t submitted a declaration since, either. I wish she’d come back and confirm that she has.
Yes, Graham. The tenant has been making that Tax D’habitation payment.
Hi Anna,
It was not that the it was the same amount going forward, but since the rent I collected was the same each year, the bill they sent “happened” to be the same. Again, I didn’t have the opportunity to itemize deductions, which took me by surprise as there are management fees, repairs, and so forth.
I haven’t done 2016 yet. REALLY appreciate you letting me know the deadline. I will get that out right away!
Hi Monica,
I just moved to France in January of this year and recently received my CdS. Is there an accountant you recommend for US citizens living in France?
Many thanks