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Old 19th May 2008, 01:53 PM
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OK, basically for French tax purposes, QROPS has no meaning. I assume this has something to do with how the pensions (contributions, fund assets and pay-outs) are taxed in the UK. If you are moving to France and will be resident there ("tax resident") then any pension fund will be subject to the usual French rules.

Briefly put, any contributions to private pension schemes are deductible from income only if they qualify under one of the French pension legislation plans (Loi Madelin, for example) - and that usually only includes French-based funds. The fund normally sends French taxpayers a statement of how much of the contribution made during the year is deductible.

Pension benefits paid out from any and all funds are reported on your French income tax forms as income.

The asset value of private pension funds may have to be included as part of your assets for determining your French wealth tax liability - but under some (limited) circumstances you can exclude them if they meet the definition of a pension-based insurance plan (which may mean you have to declare them as "life insurance" on your income tax forms - though this shouldn't generate any income tax liability for you).

I think this should cover your concerns, but if not, come on back with further questions. (It's tax season here in France and I just happen to have my forms sitting right by my desk at the moment.)
Cheers,
Bev
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