Important information regarding the 2026 Finance Act
Posted on : March 11, 2026
Important information regarding the 2026 Finance Act
I would like to share some important information with you regarding the 2026 Finance Act, which introduces an annual tax of 20% of the market value of certain non-business assets held through wealth-holding companies.
In our region, where many properties are subject to corporate ownership structures (second homes, family properties held through holding companies, older wealth structures), this issue may concern more cases than it may initially appear.
For properties for which the partners reserve the right of personal use, the market value will become the basis for a potentially very significant tax charge.
Two key points should therefore be anticipated:
a well-reasoned determination of the market value as of the end of 2026;
verification or determination of a consistent market rental value.
These are precisely the areas where our law firm can assist and support you.
Our firm can help you assess your situation with peace of mind and ensure the legal and tax valuation of your assets in France.
Kind regards
Cabinet Nicolas BRAHIN
Advokatfirma i NICE, Lawyers in NIC
Camilla Nissen MICHELIS
Assistante – Traductrice
1, Rue Louis Gassin – 06300 NICE (FRANCE)
Tel : +33 493 830 876 / Fax : +33 493 181 437
Camilla.nissen.michelis@brahin-avocats.com
www.brahin-avocats.com
Read more
Finance Act for 2026: What Changes for Individuals
Posted on : March 6, 2026
Finance Act for 2026: What Changes for Individuals
The Finance Act for 2026 was adopted on 19 February 2026: adjustment of the income tax scale, introduction of a tax on small parcels, and the “Relance logement” (housing recovery) programme.
Here are the main measures.
Taxes
Adjustment of the income tax scale
The Finance Act for 2026 adjusts the income tax scale in line with inflation (+0.9%) in order to neutralise its impact on households’ tax burden.
Taxable income bracket (per share)
Marginal tax rate
Up to €11,600
0%
From €11,601 to €29,579
11%
From €29,580 to €84,577
30%
From €84,578 to €181,917
41%
Above €181,917
45%
Retention of the 10% allowance on pensions
Article 6 of the draft Finance Bill for 2026 proposed abolishing the 10% allowance on pensions when calculating income tax and replacing it with a fixed allowance of €2,000. The adopted Finance Act for 2026 cancels this measure and maintains this tax benefit.
Extension of the differential tax on high incomes (CDHR)
The differential tax on high incomes, introduced in 2025, is extended by the Finance Act for 2026. This tax aims to ensure a minimum taxation rate of 20% for the wealthiest taxpayers until the public deficit falls below 3% of GDP.
The differential rate applies to households with taxable income in 2025 exceeding:
€250,000 for a single person
€500,000 for a couple
Introduction of a tax on holding companies with large assets
The Finance Act for 2026 introduces a tax on holding companies with large assets, with a narrower scope than originally proposed. Initially set at 2% of assets not linked to economic activity, the measure has been amended and now applies only to the market value of certain “luxury assets” not related to business activity, such as yachts, collector cars, racehorses, and jewellery.
The following assets are excluded from the tax base:
Cash
Financial instruments
Active shareholdings
Works of art
The tax rate is 20% for financial years ending on or after 31 December 2026. The tax applies to holding companies controlled by individuals with assets of at least €5 million.
Doubling of the deduction ceiling for the “Coluche” scheme
The Finance Act for 2026 promotes charitable giving by increasing the tax reduction for donations. The ceiling for donations to public-interest organisations is raised from €1,000 to €2,000 per year, while the 75% tax reduction is maintained.
This applies to donations made at the end of 2025 for the 2026 tax return.
Consumption
Introduction of a tax on small parcels
The Finance Act for 2026 introduces a so-called “small parcel tax” of €2 per item to address competition from e-commerce platforms.
It comes into force on 1 March 2026 and applies to parcels:
Valued under €150
Coming from countries outside the European Union
Housing
Introduction of the “Relance logement” programme
The Finance Act for 2026 introduces a new tax scheme for individuals aimed at stimulating the supply of rental housing. The programme runs for three years and covers apartments in multi-unit buildings across the country:
New-build properties
Existing properties, provided that renovation works amounting to at least 30% of the property’s value are carried out
To participate, landlords must commit to renting the property as a primary residence (excluding close family members) for nine years and comply with a rent cap.
In return, the landlord may deduct from rental income:
A portion of the purchase price (up to €12,000 per year)
All rental-related expenses (renovation works, loan interest, property tax) up to €10,700
Support and Funding
Increase in the activity bonus (prime d’activité)
The Finance Act increases the average activity bonus by €50 per month per recipient. The benefit supplements the income of low-paid workers and encourages taking up or continuing employment for people over 18. The amount is calculated based on household composition and income.
Reopening of MaPrimeRénov’
The absence of a budget vote at the end of 2025 led to the suspension of MaPrimeRénov’. The adoption of the Finance Act for 2026 allows the scheme to fully reopen for all households under the same conditions as in 2025.
A prior appointment at a France Rénov’ advice centre is mandatory before applying.
MaPrimeRénov’ is the main state aid scheme for the energy renovation of houses and apartment buildings.
The aid is available to:
Owner-occupiers
Landlords
Usufruct holders
Holders of a real right of use
Co-owners, provided all co-owners sign a sworn statement designating the applicant as responsible for the works
The following are not eligible:
Bare owners without usufruct rights
Legal entities
It is also possible to apply during a property purchase process with a preliminary sales agreement. Proof of ownership must be provided to receive the grant.
Reopening of other support schemes
The adoption of the Finance Act for 2026 enables the gradual reopening of the following schemes, which had been closed since 1 January 2026:
Ma Prime Logement Décent
Ma PrimeAdapt’
Loc’Avantages
Revision of social benefits
The Finance Act for 2026 adjusts social benefits in line with inflation (+0.9%) from 1 April 2026. This concerns:
RSA — increased to €653.33 per month
AAH — increased to €1,042.62 per month
APL — amount depends on household circumstances
Family allowances — amount varies depending on household situation
Driving licence financing
Financing of preparation for light vehicle driving licence categories (A1, A2, B1, B) via the Personal Training Account (CPF) is now limited to unemployed individuals or employed persons receiving third-party funding.
In addition, the apprenticeship grant previously intended to finance driving licences is abolished.
Med venlig hilsen / Kind regards
Cabinet Nicolas BRAHIN
Advokatfirma i NICE, Lawyers in NIC
Camilla Nissen MICHELIS
Assistante – Traductrice
1, Rue Louis Gassin – 06300 NICE (FRANCE)
Tel : +33 493 830 876 / Fax : +33 493 181 437
Camilla.nissen.michelis@brahin-avocats.com
www.brahin-avocats.com
Read more
Private Individuals: What Changes as of 1 January 2026
Posted on : February 4, 2026
Introduction
No adjustment of the income tax scale, higher interest rate on PEL savings accounts, a change in the calculation method for energy performance certificates (DPE) in favor of electric heating, an increase in the minimum wage (Smic)… Find out what will change for you at the start of 2026.
Tax and Finance
Manual gifts and cash gifts: reporting must now be done online
From 1 January 2026, the reporting of manual gifts (cash, movable property – works of art, jewelry, cars, etc. – shares) between private individuals must be carried out exclusively online, with certain exceptions, via the Tax Authority’s digital service on impots.gouv.fr in the personal user area.
PEL: increase in interest rate
Housing Savings Plans (PEL) opened from 1 January 2026 will earn interest at a rate of 2%, compared with 1.75% for plans opened as of 1 January 2025.
Please note that the interest rate is fixed at the time the account is opened.
Change in the statutory interest rate
The statutory interest rate is used to calculate late payment penalties owed to a creditor. The rates applicable for the first half of 2026 were set by decree on 15 December and published in the Official Journal on 26 December 2025. They apply from 1 January 2026.
Gradual ban on “forever chemicals” in certain products
From 1 January 2026, the manufacture, import, export, and marketing of the following products containing PFAS will be prohibited:
cosmetics,
ski wax,
clothing, footwear, and their waterproofing treatments (excluding protective clothing, such as for the military and firefighters).
This measure aims to protect the population and the environment from risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Green and Energy Transition
Energy Performance Certificate (DPE): new calculation method for electrically heated homes
The calculation of the energy performance certificate (DPE) will change from 1 January 2026. A decree of 13 August 2025 adjusts the electricity conversion coefficient.
This change will improve the energy rating of certain electrically heated homes. No home will receive a worse rating.
All DPEs and energy audits issued from 1 January 2026 will automatically use the new coefficient. Documents issued in 2025 and earlier will remain valid and can be updated free of charge, without a new visit from the energy assessor, via the Ademe DPE-Audit Observatory website.
In addition, the “Climate and Resilience” law makes energy performance certification mandatory for all apartment buildings from 1 January 2026 for condominium associations with fewer than 50 housing units.
Support for the purchase of electric vehicles: higher amounts for households
In 2025, the “electric vehicle bonus scheme” replaced the former environmental bonus.
The government has announced continued support in 2026 for the purchase of new electric vehicles through the Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) scheme.
The aid may reach (indicative amounts):
€5,700 for financially vulnerable households,
€4,700 for low-income households,
€3,500 for other households.
An additional bonus for vehicles with batteries produced in Europe may amount to between €1,200 and €2,000.
Income thresholds for the low-income and energy-poverty categories are also being raised.
Registration tax (“malus”)
The “malus tax” includes two taxes on certain passenger vehicles:
weight tax (“mass malus”),
CO₂ tax (“CO₂ malus”).
From 1 January 2026, the CO₂ tax will apply from 108 g CO₂/km, and the maximum tax will be set at €80,000 above 191 g CO₂/km.
The weight tax is also changing, with a new threshold of 1.5 tonnes.
In addition, N1-type vehicles classified as “trucks,” off-road vehicles, and those with at least five seats are now also subject to both taxes.
PAR+ loan: new income thresholds
The interest-free “advance mutation” loan (PAR+) is used to finance energy renovation works in private homes. Income thresholds are updated as of 1 January 2026.
Credit
Change in usury rate ceilings for home loans
From 1 January 2026, the maximum legal APR (annual percentage rate) ceilings for mortgage loans will change.
Benefits and Allowances
Increase in the Smic (minimum wage)
From 1 January 2026, the Smic will increase by 1.18%:
gross hourly wage: €12.02 (compared with €11.88 in 2025),
gross monthly wage (full-time): €1,823.03 (compared with €1,801.80 in 2025).
Social security ceiling increased by 2%
The annual social security ceiling (PASS) is set at €48,060 (compared with €47,100 in 2025), and the monthly ceiling at €4,005 (compared with €3,925), representing a 2% increase.
Increase in pensions and social minimum benefits
Basic pensions, certain minimum pensions, and social benefits will increase by 0.9% from 1 January 2026.
New additional parental leave
From 1 January 2026, an additional parental leave of 1 or 2 months will be introduced, at the parents’ choice, with the possibility of splitting it and with daily allowances set by decree.
Both parents may use this scheme from 1 July 2026. It applies to children born or adopted from 1 January 2026.
Suspension of the pension reform
The 2026 Social Security Financing Act suspends the accelerated pension reform of 2023. The retirement age will increase more slowly for the 1961–1968 generations and for long careers. The changes will apply from September 2026.
Other Changes
Increase in postage rates
Postal and parcel rates will increase by an average of 7.4% from 1 January 2026:
Green letter: from €1.39 to €1.52,
Services Plus letter: from €3.15 to €3.47,
Registered letter R1 (20 g): from €5.74 to €6.11,
International letter (0–20 g): from €2.10 to €2.25.
Tax and Income
No adjustment of the income tax scale
As the 2026 Finance Act was not adopted before the end of 2025, the tax scale is not adjusted. Withholding tax rates in January 2026 remain unchanged.
2025 tax scale for 2024 income (one tax share)
Up to €11,497: 0%
€11,498 – €29,315: 11%
€29,316 – €83,823: 30%
€83,824 – €180,294: 41%
Over €180,294: 45%
Cap on the family quotient tax benefit
The tax advantage per additional half share is capped at:
€1,791 per half share,
€896 per quarter share.
The tax authorities compare two calculations to determine whether the cap applies.
End of the special tax on high incomes
The differential high-income contribution (CDHR), introduced in 2025, ends on 31 December 2025.
End of the tax credit for electric vehicle charging stations
The tax credit of up to 75% (maximum €500) for the installation of charging stations ends on 31 December 2025, due to the absence of a 2026 Finance Act.
Kind regards
Cabinet Nicolas BRAHIN
Lawyers in NICE
Camilla Nissen MICHELIS
1, Rue Louis Gassin – 06300 NICE (FRANCE)
Tel : +33 493 830 876 / Fax : +33 493 181 437
Camilla.nissen.michelis@brahin-avocats.com
www.brahin-avocats.com
Read more
How Long Should You Keep Your Personal Documents?
Posted on : January 21, 2026
Rent receipts, insurance or mortgage contracts, bills, payslips…Everyday documents are numerous. Did you know that the minimum retention period for these papers varies depending on their nature, applicable legislation, or their intended purpose?
Here is an overview of document retention periods.
Why Should You Keep Your Personal Documents?
The purpose of keeping personal documents is to be able to prove the existence of a right or compliance with an obligation. Retention periods vary depending on the type of document and the legislation or use to which it is subject.
Some administrative documents must be kept for life, while others have shorter retention periods set by law.
Please note that the periods mentioned in this article are recommended retention periods. You may, of course, choose to keep documents for longer.
How Long Should You Keep Your Documents?
Documents Related to Your Family Situation and Education
Documents relating to family law matters should generally be kept permanently, in particular:
civil status certificates (full copies and extracts),
divorce or adoption judgments,
marriage contracts and civil partnership agreements (PACS),
family record books,
exam certificates and diplomas,
medical examinations (e.g. X-rays).
Documents Related to Insurance and Banking
In insurance matters, receipts, due notices, and cancellation letters must be kept for at least two years from the document date, as must insurance contracts.
For banking documents, cheques must be cashed no later than one year and eight days after issuance.
Bank statements and cheque stubs must be kept for five years.
Receipts for card payments and withdrawals should be kept until you receive the bank statement showing the corresponding balance.
Your Bills
Electricity, gas, and water bills must be kept for five years, which corresponds to the period allowed to dispute a bill with the supplier.
It is recommended to keep landline, mobile phone, and internet subscription bills for at least one year.
Bills for household appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, television) should be kept at least until the warranty period expires, as should warranty certificates.
For health-related documents, bills from public hospitals must be kept for four years and from private hospitals for two years. Reimbursement statements from health and maternity insurance should be kept for at least two years.
Documents Related to Your Home
Proof of payment of condominium fees, correspondence with the property manager, and minutes of general meetings must be kept for five years.
Rent receipts, lease agreements, and check-in and check-out inspection reports must be kept for three years after the end of the lease. These periods apply to both unfurnished and furnished rentals.
A deed of sale or title of ownership, however, must be kept permanently.
Documents Related to Your Professional Activity
Payslips, employment contracts, and work certificates must be kept until retirement.
Certificates from France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) must be kept for two years from the date of registration as a job seeker.
Final settlement statements, proof of unemployment benefit payments, or expense reports must be kept for three years. These documents are useful when calculating pension rights.
Note:
Private employers must keep employees’ payslips, employment contracts, and any declaration of workplace accidents to health insurance for five years.
Other documents, such as working time records or tax certificates, must be kept for three years.
Documents Related to Your Taxes
Tax returns, tax assessments, and supporting documents used for taxation must be kept for three years from the year following the income year.
Property taxes and local taxes (e.g. housing tax on secondary residences) must be kept for one year.
Retention Period for Documents Related to Your Business
Books, registers, documents, or supporting records that the tax authorities may request must be kept for six years.
The period is calculated from one of the following dates:
the last transaction recorded in the books or registers,
the date the documents were issued.
Example:
Documents relating to income for 2018, declared in 2019, must be kept until the end of 2024.
Overview of Retention Periods for Tax Documents
Type of Tax
Retention Period
Income tax (IR) and corporate tax (IS)
6 years
Business income (BIC), non-commercial income (BNC), and agricultural income (BA) under the actual regime
6 years
Corporate tax for sole proprietorships and companies
6 years
Local direct taxes (property tax, etc.)
6 years
Business tax (CFE) and CVAE
6 years
VAT and other turnover taxes
6 years
Warning:
The retention period is extended to 10 years in cases of concealed activity (tax fraud, undeclared work, failure to declare, illegal activity, etc.).
Social Documents Related to Your Business
Document Type
Retention Period
Annual financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, notes)
10 years from the end of the financial year
Articles of association for companies, economic interest groups (GIE), or associations
5 years after dissolution
Merger agreements and similar documents
5 years
Share registers, transfer registers, and general meeting minutes
5 years after last use
Attendance sheets and proxies
Last 3 financial years
Management reports
Last 3 financial years
Audit reports
Last 3 financial years
Personnel Administration
Document Type
Retention Period
Payslips
5 years (electronic: 50 years or until the employee reaches 75 years of age)
Personnel register
5 years after the employee leaves
Documents relating to hiring, salary, bonuses, benefits, pensions
5 years
Social contributions and payroll taxes
3 years
Working days under fixed salary agreements
3 years
Working hours and on-call duty
1 year
Labour inspectorate notices and inspections
5 years
Declaration of workplace accidents
5 years
In What Format Should You Keep Your Personal Documents?
Are you unsure whether to keep your documents in paper or digital form? Do both formats have the same legal value?
It depends on how the document was delivered:
if it was received digitally (by email or download), it may be kept digitally;
if it was received in paper form (in person or by post), the original must be kept. A scan is considered only a copy, and the original may be required later.
Taxpayers may also digitize their paper bills upon sending or receipt and store them electronically until the end of the tax retention period (six years).
Med venlig hilsen / Kind regards
Cabinet Nicolas BRAHIN
Advokatfirma i NICE, Lawyers in NIC
Camilla Nissen MICHELIS
Assistante – Traductrice
1, Rue Louis Gassin – 06300 NICE (FRANCE)
Tel : +33 493 830 876 / Fax : +33 493 181 437
Camilla.nissen.michelis@brahin-avocats.com
www.brahin-avocats.com
Read more
How can you obtain information about the land registry in France?
Posted on : December 22, 2025
If you own a property or are considering becoming an owner, you will very likely need to consult the cadastral (land registry) documentation. What information can be found there? How can it be consulted or amended if it is incorrect? We provide the answers.
Commonly referred to as the “cadastre,” cadastral documentation consists of records that list and identify real estate (buildings, houses, land, etc.) located in France.
This information forms the basis for calculating local taxes that you are required to pay, including property tax.
The documentation mainly consists of the cadastral map and the cadastral register.
These documents have a tax-related purpose rather than a legal one: the cadastral map does not constitute proof of ownership and does not establish property boundaries.
What information can be found?
The cadastral map
The cadastral map is a graphical representation of a municipality, showing its real estate holdings as well as the footprint of buildings.
It may also display certain details that make it easier to understand, such as main roads, watercourses, ditches, and similar features.
The cadastral register
While the cadastral map is a graphical document, the cadastral register is a written one. It consists of property records indicating the identity of the owner or owners of each parcel of land or built property shown on the cadastral map.
How can cadastral documentation be consulted?
The cadastral map
The cadastral map is freely accessible to everyone, whether or not they own property.
You can access it via the official cadastral portal: cadastre.gouv.fr.
Searches can be carried out by entering the address or the cadastral reference of the desired parcel. The service also allows you to order map extracts for French municipalities.
You can also consult the cadastral map at the town hall or by submitting a written request to the municipality or to the property tax office responsible for the parcel in question.
The cadastral register
You may request an extract from the cadastral register—for example, to find out the owner of a plot of land—by completing form 6815-EM-SD and sending it to the property tax office to which the parcel is attached.
Using the online tool “Demande de valeurs foncières,” you can free of charge track trends in property prices and assess the value of a property in France by consulting data from the past five years.
How can the cadastre be amended?
You may request an amendment to a cadastral parcel by completing form 6463-N-SD, which must be sent to the land registration authority (service de publicité foncière) competent for the parcel.
The amendment may be requested, among other reasons, to correct property boundaries shown in the cadastre or following changes to property boundaries (division or consolidation of a parcel).
For your request to be processed by the cadastral authority—unless your situation falls under one of the stated exceptions—it must be accompanied by a surveying document establishing the land area, prepared by a licensed surveyor. The cost of this professional’s work must be borne by you.
Legal value of the cadastral map
The cadastral map is an administrative document used to record and identify properties for the purpose of determining the basis of local taxes. As its purpose is primarily tax-related, it is not intended to guarantee ownership rights. Nor does it establish property boundaries.
To determine the boundaries of a parcel of land, an official survey (boundary demarcation) must be carried out by a licensed surveyor.
Obtaining a copy of a third party’s title deed
You may obtain a copy of any deed subject to registration, even if you are not a party to the deed.
The request must be submitted to the Service de la publicité foncière (formerly the mortgage registry) where the deed was recorded.
Med venlig hilsen / Kind regards
Cabinet Nicolas BRAHIN
Advokatfirma i NICE, Lawyers in NICE
Camilla Nissen MICHELIS
Assistante – Traductrice
1, Rue Louis Gassin – 06300 NICE (FRANCE)
Tel : +33 493 830 876 / Fax : +33 493 181 437
Camilla.nissen.michelis@brahin-avocats.com www.brahin-avocats.com
Read more
Starting Point of the Five-Year Limitation Period
Posted on : December 5, 2025
The starting point of the five-year limitation period that company members may invoke against the creditors of an SCI cannot differ from the starting point that may be invoked directly by the company itself.
Case law indeed considers that the starting point of the limitation period for actions brought by creditors against the members of a company cannot be the date on which proceedings against the legal entity are exhausted, even though such exhaustion is a necessary prerequisite.
For a Société Civile Immobilière (SCI), i.e. a partnership, the members are personally liable without limit for the company’s debts, in proportion to the number of units each member holds (Article 1857 of the Civil Code).
II.Although the articles of association may provide for a different allocation, such provisions cannot be invoked against third parties (unless they have accepted them).
The members’ liability is therefore not limited to their contributions, unlike in other types of companies.
Under Article 1858 of the Civil Code, creditors may, however, only take legal action against the members after having previously and unsuccessfully pursued the legal entity. The following article adds that such actions become time-barred after five years.
This means that the right to proceed against a member is subsidiary: the company remains the principal debtor and must therefore be pursued first. Moreover, the two proceedings cannot be conducted simultaneously.
Conclusion: third-party creditors may bring an action directly against the members, but they have a five-year limitation period to do so.
The question before the courts then became: when does this limitation period begin to run?
III. An SCI named “Hippopotame” (this is not made up) took out a 20-year bank loan. When it failed to meet its repayment obligations, the legal entity was subjected to enforcement proceedings initiated by the bank with a view to a forced sale of the property the company had purchased.
A voluntary sale was permitted, and the draft distribution order was approved by the enforcement judge on 3 January 2012.
However, the sale did not allow the company’s debt to be fully cleared… yet the bank let time pass and only issued a payment order against the SCI on 27 February 2017 with a view to seizure.
A certificate of unsuccessful recovery was drawn up on 6 March 2017, which forced the bank to sue a member for the outstanding balance on 14 June 2017.
The dates are crucial here for calculating the limitation period.
A technical debate arose between the parties regarding the starting point of the limitation period that the member sought to invoke against the third-party creditor. Two theories were put forward:
The starting point should be considered the date on which proceedings against the company are exhausted.
The five-year period would thus begin to run on the day when the creditor has fully exhausted proceedings against the company and is then compelled to turn to the members.
This was also the Court of Appeal’s position.
It upheld the bank’s claim and considered that, in this case, the starting point of the limitation period for the action against the individual member of the SCI for the unpaid loan was the date of the certificate of unsuccessful recovery, i.e. 6 March 2017.
From that date, the bank therefore had a new five-year period. The summons of 14 June 2017 was therefore far from being time-barred.
Or should the starting point of the limitation period be the same with respect to both the company and its members?
The creditor would then have a strong interest in acting quickly against the company, otherwise they risk no longer being able to pursue the members. This is precisely the core issue of the present ruling, which has the distinction of being published in the Bulletin (Court of Cassation, 3rd Civil Chamber, 19 January 2022, No. 20.22.205).
By setting the starting point of the five-year limitation period at 6 March 2017, the date of the certificate of unsuccessful recovery following an ineffective payment order, the lower courts found that the summons of the member for the outstanding amount had been brought well within time. They therefore ordered the member to pay the remaining balance of the bank loan.
