Hello good folk.
A French friend of mine who has a “side line” of selling at Vide Greniers told me some months ago that if your side line had limited earnings (I think he said about €5000 per annum) there’s no obligation to declare it for tax purposes.
It doesn’t sound right to me, but who an I to question a French native about a tax system I know very little about?
Would someone with accurate knowledge clarify the position for me please.
I’m looking forward to learning something new.
Here are the rules from the “horse’s mouth”, ie the Ministry of Finance. Broadly you can sell your own, personal used items, (that are not taxable/declarable), You cannot sell items you’ve made, new items or items bought for resale to benefit from this tax exemption. You can also participate in up to 2 vide greniers a year, (above that would suggest you’re trading /ie as a pro). If you sell metals, or jewellery, art, antiques etc and the sales price exceeds €5 000, tax applies….
Thanks for your detailed reply. Do you know if there’s there any indication about selling things that you own but don’t use, via other methods to vide greniers, such as word of mouth, notices in association newsletters etc.
In my case it would be boat parts and equipment, some still boxed bought as spares a long time ago, but never used and no longer required, other stuff being serviceable used items. Some with a value in hundreds and one in the low thousands.
If such payments hit my bank account, would it bring down the wrath of the tax gods?
I guess it’s like selling bits for a classic car.
As George’s link, under €5k a year and no problem. Keep a record and if it hits that amount wait until next year?
The fisc apparently have AI crawlers looking at the best known sites so probably worth staying on legal side of the line, even if no way the could look at a notice board in a boat shop!
Thanks Jane
It’s good to know. Though knowing my luck nobody will want what I have, so I’ll scrap it, then a month after someone will say “have you still got that diaphragm bilge pump?” 
I asked as I want to keep within what is allowed. As a 10 year Carte Sejour holder I don’t need any black marks against me when renewal time comes round.