Who files a tax return and when you get money back
In France, you file a tax return (called a déclaration de revenus) if you earned income during the previous calendar year. The tax authority, Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP), processes your return and sends you a refund if you paid more tax than you owed—either through withholding from your salary, quarterly estimated payments, or overpayment from a previous year.
Most employees have tax withheld automatically, so refunds are common. Self-employed people, retirees, and anyone with multiple income sources file to settle what they owe or claim back what they overpaid. The filing deadline is usually in May or June each year, though it varies slightly by region and whether you file online or on paper.
Refunds arrive by bank transfer to the account you list on your return. The timeline depends on when you file and whether the DGFiP needs to ask you questions about your return.
Key Takeaways
- You file your French tax return between April and June each year through the DGFiP website or by mail, reporting all income from the previous calendar year.
- Refunds are issued by bank transfer only—never by check or cash—to the account you provide on your return.
- If you file online by the deadline, you can expect your refund between July and September; paper filers may wait until October or later.
- You can track your refund status through your personal DGFiP account (Mon Espace Particulier) once the return is processed.
- If you do not receive your refund within the expected timeframe, contact the DGFiP directly by phone or through your online account.
Filing your return online or by mail
The fastest way to file is through the DGFiP website at impots.gouv.fr. You log in with your tax number and password (or create an account if you are new). The online form walks you through each income category—salary, self-employment, rental income, investments—and calculates your tax automatically. Online filers who submit by the deadline (usually mid-June) receive refunds faster than paper filers.
If you prefer to file by mail, you can request a paper return form from your local tax office or download it from impots.gouv.fr. Fill it out by hand, sign it, and mail it to the address printed on the form. Paper returns must arrive by the deadline to avoid penalties, and processing takes longer—often until October or November.
You must include your bank details on the return so the DGFiP knows where to send your refund. The account can be in your name or a joint account; it must be a French or EU bank account. If you do not provide banking information, the DGFiP will contact you to ask for it before issuing the refund.
Timeline for receiving your refund
The DGFiP does not issue refunds on a fixed schedule. Instead, processing happens in waves throughout the summer and fall. If you file online by the deadline, your refund typically arrives between July and September. Paper filers usually wait until September or October, and late filers may not receive refunds until November or December.
The exact timing depends on whether your return triggers a review. Simple returns with only salary income and standard deductions process faster than returns with self-employment income, rental property, or significant investment gains. If the DGFiP has questions about your return, they will contact you by mail or through your online account, which delays the refund until you respond.
Once your return is processed and approved, the DGFiP sends the refund to your bank. The bank then deposits it into your account within one to three business days. You can see the refund amount and expected date in your Mon Espace Particulier account once processing is complete.
Tracking your refund status
Log into Mon Espace Particulier on impots.gouv.fr using your tax number and password. Once your return is processed, you will see a summary showing the amount you owe or the refund you should receive. The page also displays the date the refund was sent to your bank.
If your return is still being processed, the status page will say so. If the DGFiP needs more information from you, you will see a message asking you to provide documents or clarification. Respond as soon as possible to avoid further delays.
You can also call the DGFiP directly if you want to know the status. The phone number is on your tax notice and on impots.gouv.fr. Wait times can be long during peak season (June through August), so calling in the morning or early in the week is usually faster.
What to do if your refund is late
If you filed online by the deadline and it is now September or later, and you have not received your refund, log into Mon Espace Particulier to check the status. If it shows the refund was sent to your bank, contact your bank to confirm they received it. Bank delays are rare but do happen occasionally.
If Mon Espace Particulier shows your return is still being processed or if you see a message asking for more information, respond to that request immediately. The DGFiP cannot issue your refund until they have what they need from you.
If your return shows as processed and approved but you have not received the refund after two weeks, call the DGFiP. Have your tax number and the refund amount ready. They can tell you whether the refund was actually sent and, if so, help you trace it with your bank.
Special cases: Non-residents and recent arrivals
If you are not a French resident but earned income in France, you may still need to file a French tax return. Non-residents file through the same DGFiP system but must provide a non-French bank account for refunds. The DGFiP accepts EU and some international accounts, though processing may take longer.
If you moved to France during the year, you file a partial-year return reporting only the income you earned after your arrival. Your refund is calculated based on that partial income and the tax withheld during those months.
If you are leaving France, file your final return before you go or arrange for someone to handle it on your behalf. Refunds can be sent to a bank account outside France, though you may want to keep a French account open temporarily to receive the transfer.
Documents you need to keep
Keep copies of your filed return, your tax notice (avis d'imposition), and any supporting documents for at least three years. The DGFiP may ask to see proof of income, deductions, or expenses if they review your return. Common documents include payslips, rental contracts, business receipts, and investment statements.
If you file online, the DGFiP stores a copy in your account. If you file by mail, keep your own copy of what you sent. Take a photo or scan important documents before mailing them, in case they are lost in transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file my French tax return in English?
The DGFiP website and forms are in French only. If you do not read French fluently, you can hire a tax advisor (conseiller fiscal) or an accountant to file on your behalf. Many expat communities have lists of English-speaking tax professionals. You can also ask the DGFiP for help by phone, though their English is limited.
What if I made a mistake on my return after I filed it?
You can file a corrected return (déclaration rectificative) through Mon Espace Particulier or by mail. Do this as soon as you notice the error. If the correction results in a larger refund, the DGFiP will send it to you. If it means you owe more, they will bill you.
Do I get interest if my refund is late?
The DGFiP does not pay interest on late refunds unless the delay is caused by an error on their part. Delays caused by incomplete returns or missing documents do not may have access to. If you believe the delay is the DGFiP's fault, you can file a complaint through Mon Espace Particulier or by mail.
Can I have my refund sent to someone else's bank account?
No. The refund must go to a bank account in your name or a joint account with your spouse or partner. If you list someone else's account, the DGFiP will reject it and ask you to provide the correct account number.
What happens if I do not file a return?
If you are required to file and do not, the DGFiP may estimate your tax and bill you, plus penalties. If you are owed a refund but do not file, you simply do not receive it—the money stays with the government. File as soon as you realize you missed the deadline to recover any refund you are owed.