Tax refunds in Paris work differently depending on whether you're a resident, a visitor, or a foreign worker
If you live in Paris and file French income tax, you request a refund through the French tax authority (Direction Générale des Finances Publiques, or DGFIP) using the standard French process. If you're a visitor from outside the EU who made purchases in Paris, you may be able to reclaim the value-added tax (VAT) on those purchases at the airport before you leave. If you're a foreign worker in Paris, your refund process depends on whether you're an EU citizen, whether you file French taxes, and what your employment status is.
The method, timeline, and amount you receive vary significantly by your situation. This guide covers the main routes: resident tax refunds through DGFIP, VAT refunds for tourists, and what to do if you're a foreign worker whose taxes were withheld.
Key Takeaways
- French residents request income tax refunds from DGFIP using their online account or by mail, and refunds typically arrive within one to three months of approval.
- Tourists from outside the EU can reclaim VAT on purchases over €100 at Paris airport or border checkpoints using a tax-free shopping form before departure.
- Foreign workers in Paris may have taxes withheld from paychecks and can reclaim overpayment by filing a French tax return or requesting adjustment through their employer.
- DGFIP processes refunds by bank transfer to the account on file, and you can track status through your online tax account or by contacting the local tax office.
- If you don't receive a refund within the stated timeline, contact DGFIP directly with your tax reference number and proof of filing.
Resident tax refunds through DGFIP
If you live in Paris and file an annual income tax return (déclaration de revenus), you may receive a refund if you overpaid throughout the year or if you may have access to for deductions and credits that reduce your tax bill below what was withheld. DGFIP calculates the refund when they process your return and sends it automatically if one is due.
You can file your return online through the DGFIP website (impots.gouv.fr) using your login credentials, or you can file by paper if you prefer. The filing deadline is usually in May or June each year. Once DGFIP processes your return (which can take several weeks), they send the refund by bank transfer to the account you provided on your return. You can check the status of your refund by logging into your DGFIP account and viewing your "Situation fiscale et paiements" (tax situation and payments) section.
Refunds typically arrive within one to three months of approval, depending on the volume of returns DGFIP is processing. If you filed late or by paper, processing may take longer. If you don't see a refund within three months of filing, contact your local tax office (centre des finances publiques) with your tax reference number and a copy of your filed return.
VAT refunds for tourists leaving Paris
If you are not a resident of France or the EU and you made purchases in Paris shops, you can reclaim the VAT (value-added tax, currently 20% on most goods) on those purchases when you leave France. This is called a "tax-free shopping" refund and is available at the airport, train stations, and some border crossings.
To reclaim VAT, you must have purchased goods in a single shop on the same day, and the total purchase must be at least €100. When you buy the items, ask the shop for a tax-free form (bordereau de remboursement or détaxe form). The shop will fill it out and you sign it. You must leave France within three months of the purchase date.
At Paris airport (Charles de Gaulle, Orly, or Le Bourget) or at a border crossing, go to the tax-free refund desk before you check in your luggage or pass through passport control. Show the form, your purchases, and your passport. The refund company will stamp the form and either give you cash on the spot, credit your credit card, or send a check to your home address. Cash refunds are immediate; card and check refunds take one to two weeks. The refund amount is typically 12% to 15% of the purchase price (the VAT minus a processing fee).
Refunds for foreign workers with withheld taxes
If you work in Paris and your employer withheld French income tax from your paychecks, you may be may have access to to a refund if you overpaid or if you don't meet the threshold for filing a full tax return. The process depends on your residency status and whether you filed a return.
EU citizens who work in Paris and earn below the filing threshold (around €10,000 per year, though this varies) do not have to file a return, but if taxes were withheld, you can request a refund by contacting DGFIP directly or by filing a simplified return. Non-EU workers on a visa may have different rules depending on their visa type and tax treaty between France and their home country. Contact your employer's HR department first to confirm how much was withheld and whether they can adjust future paychecks or issue a refund directly.
If your employer cannot issue a refund, file a French income tax return (déclaration de revenus) for the year in which taxes were withheld. Include all income earned in France and any deductions you may have access to for. DGFIP will calculate the refund based on your actual tax liability and send it by bank transfer. This process takes the same timeline as a standard resident refund: one to three months after approval.
How to track your refund status
The fastest way to check on a refund is through your DGFIP online account. Log in at impots.gouv.fr using your login credentials, go to "Situation fiscale et paiements," and look for your refund in the payment history. The status will show whether the refund has been approved, processed, or sent.
If you filed by paper or do not have an online account, contact your local tax office (centre des finances publiques) by phone or in person. You will need your tax reference number (numéro de dossier), which appears on your tax notice. The tax office can tell you the current status and expected arrival date. If you filed more than three months ago and still have not received the refund, ask the tax office to investigate.
What to do if your refund is late or missing
If you have not received a refund within three months of approval, or if your online account shows the refund was sent but you did not receive it, contact DGFIP immediately. Call your local tax office or use the contact form on impots.gouv.fr. Have your tax reference number, the date you filed, and the expected refund amount ready.
If the refund was sent by bank transfer, check with your bank to confirm it did not arrive in a different account or under a different name. If your bank account information changed since you filed, the refund may have been returned to DGFIP. In that case, DGFIP can reissue the refund to your current account once you provide updated banking details.
If you filed by paper and DGFIP has no record of receiving your return, file again online or bring a copy to your local tax office in person. Keep a copy of your filed return and any proof of mailing (if you sent it by post) for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a tax refund if I only worked in Paris for part of the year?
Yes. You file a French tax return for the calendar year and report all income earned in France during that year, even if you only worked for a few months. DGFIP calculates your tax based on your total annual income and issues a refund if you overpaid. If you left France partway through the year, you may still be required to file a return for that year.
What if I'm an EU citizen working in Paris but I don't have a French address?
You can still file a French tax return and receive a refund. Use your employer's address, a friend's address in France, or a mail forwarding service as your filing address. DGFIP will send your refund by bank transfer to the account you provide, regardless of your mailing address. Make sure the bank account is in your name.
How long does a VAT refund take if I choose to have it mailed to my home?
Mailed VAT refunds typically take one to two weeks to arrive, depending on your country and the refund company processing it. Some refund companies take longer if they need to verify the form or if there are delays in the mail system. Ask the refund desk for an estimated timeline when you submit your form.
Do I need to file a French tax return if I only received a VAT refund?
No. A VAT refund on purchases is separate from income tax and does not require you to file a French income tax return. However, if you earned income in France during the year, you must file a return regardless of whether you received a VAT refund on purchases.
What if my employer says they can't provide proof of taxes withheld?
Ask your employer for a pay stub (bulletin de salaire) from any month showing the tax withholding. If your employer refuses or cannot provide this, contact DGFIP directly and file a tax return based on the income you earned. DGFIP can cross-reference employer records to verify taxes withheld and calculate your refund accordingly.