Selling a real estate property in France may require the appointment of a tax representative.
Designating a tax representative is mandatory in the following cases :
Selling Property in France?
Minimize Your Capital Gains Tax — We’ll Handle It for You
Selling French real estate? Don’t leave your capital gains tax to chance. If your sale price exceeds €150,000 or the property has been owned for less than 30 years, French law requires you to appoint a tax representative — even if there’s no profit.
At FTO, we don’t just help you comply — we help you save.
- We calculate your capital gain or loss
- We prepare and file all mandatory declarations
- We act as your official tax representative
- We stay liable in case of a tax audit
You get expert handling from start to finish — no guesswork, no stress. Everything is done with your consent and full visibility.
Capital gain tax calculation
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Use our free simulator to calculate your capital gain tax.
Introducing the French Property Currency Specialist
Other value added services we can offer is an introduction to a LUMON who are the French Property Currency Specialist
They have in-country bank accounts and a bi-lingual dedicated French team to make the process much easier and dealt with over 550 different Notaire offices last year alone. They offer a very personal, tech enabled service which a lot of our clients have seen benefit in when trying to achieve the best euro rate of exchange.
You can reach their teams on either 0044-1494-422-267 or +33 (2)56 879 934. Read more here
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For general inquiries, please visit our blog or watch our YouTube videos.
Why Work with a Capital Gains Tax Representative?
Calculating capital gains tax isn’t just about subtracting a purchase price from a sale price. It’s about understanding how to optimize every element of the calculation — and that’s exactly where a capital gains tax advisor makes the difference.
At FTO, we go far beyond basic filing. We review the acquisition price in full, making sure notary fees and eligible renovation works are properly included. We check if you qualify for any holding period allowances, which can reduce your taxable gain year after year.
If you did a lot of renovation work on your French property we would work with you to deduct the maximum amount possible.
Many property owners unknowingly leave money on the table by skipping deductions they’re legally entitled to, misreporting values, or applying the wrong regime. Our team steps in to ensure your capital gain is calculated accurately, that exemptions — such as the main residence exemption — are correctly applied, and that your declaration is fully compliant with French tax law.
Whether you’re selling real estate, disposing of shares, or transferring assets held via an SCI, our role is simple: help you pay only what you owe, reduce risk, and bring you complete peace of mind.
Common Capital Gains Tax Mistakes
When it comes to capital gains tax in France, small mistakes can lead to big penalties — or paying more tax than you should.
Here are just a few of the errors we see all the time:
Underreporting the acquisition price by forgetting notary fees or eligible renovation expenses
Ignoring holding period allowances that could significantly reduce the taxable gain
Be careful not to mistakenly apply the 7.5% solidarity levy instead of the standard 17.2% social contributions, unless you meet the specific eligibility requirements.
Misreporting gains from an SCI, claiming the main residence exemption, or applying resident-only relief mechanisms as a non-resident can lead to serious tax issues.
Filing late, with errors, or incomplete documentation — which can trigger audits or fines
At FTO, our advisors catch all of this — and more.
We make sure every number is right, every form is complete, and every opportunity to reduce your capital gains liability is fully explored.
Don’t let a mistake cost you thousands.