PAY: Tax Foncieres & Tax Habitation Holiday Home South of France

[galacarr]

I wonder if you can help me: We own a holiday home in the S Of France which is not let out we only visit a few times a year..My grandmother used to live there for 10 years she was 78 when she moved there and lived there for 10 years, she dies 5 years ago. I want to know if 1: Should we still be paying both Tax Foncieres which is 699 euros a year - seems very steep when we dont even go there only once every two years and the tax d'habitation - Very confused about all this and really woudl like to talk to someone to explain our situation....
If you could advise I would be most grateful
Thank you

[Bevdeforges]

The taxe foncière is a tax on the owner of the property, and yes, you have to pay that even if you aren't there very often. (Frankly, even if you are never there.)

The taxe d'habitation is the tax on whoever is living in the property. It applies to furnished residential property. There are some reductions possible in the taxe d'habitation for people of modest means and other special conditions, but these are normally only available if the property is your primary residence.

If you were renting the property out to someone, they would be responsible for paying the taxe d'habitation. But in your case, because you have the right to live there any time you like, you're considered to be living there - even if you only visit every now and then.
Cheers,
Bev