Help For Tax optimization [ France ]

[void]

Sounds like it could be a new niche. Transforming French châteaux into eco friendly, CO2-neutral homes by insulating them and equipping them with solar panels or other renewable energy sources, so the costs of running a château are on par with an average household.

great idea... what could possibly go wrong if there such great things like property taxes...

 

[wonderfulboy]

great idea... what could possibly go wrong if there such great things like property taxes...

You pay property taxes in all EU countries, and pretty much everywhere else in the world too, it’s just one of those side expenses you need to factor in. But it should be manageable if you have the funds to buy a château and make it CO2-neutral.

I’m not sure what the property taxes are like for a château, maybe someone here knows?

 

[void]

You pay property taxes in all EU countries, and pretty much everywhere else in the world too, it’s just one of those side expenses you need to factor in. But it should be manageable if you have the funds to buy a château and make it CO2-neutral.

all true but it's the easiest target to extract more money when needed (and you bet it will be needed) with zero chance to avoid whatever they want from you

 

[daniels27]

Sounds like it could be a new niche. Transforming French châteaux into eco friendly, CO2-neutral homes by insulating them and equipping them with solar panels or other renewable energy sources, so the costs of running a château are on par with an average household.

Yes. But the problem is that more often than not, you cannot simply do this. On one side, the walls are usually pretty thick and external insulation does not look good (nor is it allowed most of the time). Even in Switzerland where money is available, castles are not a cash cow:
https://www.nzz.ch/panorama/aargau-...chloss-zukunftsfaehig-machen-willl-ld.1775099

How about using your AI company in Switzerland to renovate some of our castles?

 

[Alonzo]

I’m not sure what the property taxes are like for a château, maybe someone here knows?

In France, if the chateau is a really expensive one , you pay two types of property tax annually :

Taxe foncière aka (local) property tax
IFI aka property wealth tax

Some EU countries tax the sh*t out of peoples residences while others do not. France is on the very harsh side of property taxation while in the UK their annual property tax (Council tax) is peanuts for UHNWI’s £10m+ mansions. Same thing in Germany (especially Bavaria) - Pocket change for wealthy Germans.

You pay property taxes in all EU countries

Croatia doesn’t have an annual property tax but this will change apparently in 2025.

 

[wonderfulboy]

n France, if the chateau is a really expensive one , you pay two types of property tax annually :

Taxe foncière aka (local) property tax
IFI aka property wealth tax

Thank you for the information, but what does that mean in numbers? For example, if a château costs, let’s say, €3M, isn’t there a fixed percentage you have to pay?

 

[Alonzo]

Isn’t there a fixed percentage you have to pay?

Not really for IFI. it’s progressive so the more your residence gains in net value the bigger your (effective) tax bill percentage will be.

For the local property tax - It’s based on cadastral or rent value of the property so again it is not "fixed" like the way you think it is.

 

[daniels27]

Thank you for the information, but what does that mean in numbers? For example, if a château costs, let’s say, €3M, isn’t there a fixed percentage you have to pay?

There are a couple of taxes
https://www.impots.gouv.fr/international-particulier/jai-des-biens-immobiliers-en-france

 

[aniglo22]

Yes. But the problem is that more often than not, you cannot simply do this. On one side, the walls are usually pretty thick and external insulation does not look good (nor is it allowed most of the time). Even in Switzerland where money is available, castles are not a cash cow:
https://www.nzz.ch/panorama/aargau-...chloss-zukunftsfaehig-machen-willl-ld.1775099

How about using your AI company in Switzerland to renovate some of our castles?

You’ll likely find yourself buried in paperwork due to bureaucracy. Most castles probably fall under 'monument protection,' which means they are subject to specific building codes and require approvals from various authorities etc....
I think in Switzerland the authorities are similar ?
Heritage protection office of your region + Local building authority + Environmental protection agency/authority + in rare cases also the ministry of culture ( if you are balling )
Additionally I think work can be only be performed by certified workers .
My opinion is that you will be just wasting a lot of money and get a lot of headaches from our beloved authorities .

 

[wachtwoord]

This is a right thing. You don’t want to see a beautiful castle transformed into a minimalist monstrosity.

Really? Have you seen what Macron did to Palais de l'Élysée?

I know it's unlikely to be permanent but it surely hurts ones eyes.

 

[JohnnyDoe]

Really? Have you seen what Macron did to Palais de l'Élysée?

I know it's unlikely to be permanent but it surely hurts ones eyes.

View attachment 8347

 

[daniels27]

You’ll likely find yourself buried in paperwork due to bureaucracy. Most castles probably fall under 'monument protection,' which means they are subject to specific building codes and require approvals from various authorities etc....
I think in Switzerland the authorities are similar ?
Heritage protection office of your region + Local building authority + Environmental protection agency/authority + in rare cases also the ministry of culture ( if you are balling )
Additionally I think work can be only be performed by certified workers .
My opinion is that you will be just wasting a lot of money and get a lot of headaches from our beloved authorities .

Exactly this! There is a good reason they are on offer they cheap but still nobody buys.