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WE EXPLAIN THE CHANGES TO THE INHERITANCE TAX PAYMENT SYSTEM New rules are now in place regarding requests for extra time to pay French inheritance tax. Usually, heirs of a person who dies
in France are required to settle the bill within six months of death. However, a system called _paiement fractionné _allows it to be paid in instalments. This must be requested by heirs at
the same time the inheritance is being dealt with by the notaire, and is not automatic. It is more often granted where heirs can offer some form of security upfront. Note that in the case of
bloodline children, there is an allowance of €100,000 before inheritance tax becomes due on the part above that. READ MORE: DOES A UK WILL ALLOW CHILDREN TO AVOID FRENCH INHERITANCE TAX?
THREE INSTALMENTS CAN BE SPREAD OVER 18 MONTHS Under the new rules, the tax office will have to give its decision within two months instead of four, as previously. If granted, it will be
possible to ask for payment in three instalments, over 18 months. Formerly, this was a year. As before, where the estate consists of at least 50% of ‘non-liquid’ assets, this can be
increased to seven payments over three years. Non-liquid assets include those that are not easy to cash in on quickly, such as real estate, works of art and even non-publicly-listed company
shares. READ MORE: MARRIED, PACS, COHABIT: YOUR FRENCH HOME RIGHTS AFTER PARTNER’S DEATH AGREEMENT FROM ALL HEIRS IS REQUIRED As before, the tax office might ask for extra guarantees, in
which case the heirs now have two months to arrange this, instead of one. Interest is, however, due, which last year was at 1.7%. This year’s figure has not been clarified. If some heirs
want to pay their tax in instalments but others do not, the agreement of the latter is required. RELATED ARTICLES FRENCH INHERITANCE LAW COMPLAINTS: EU MISSES DECISION DEADLINE CAN I WRITE
MY OWN WILL IN ENGLISH IN FRANCE? CAN WE LEAVE OUR FRENCH ESTATE TO OUR GRANDCHILDREN?