News Digest: 70% of France Flights Cancelled This Week & French Wealth Tax Reminder

France’s SNCTA, the union that represents air traffic controllers, has filed a strike notice for this Thursday (April 25th) in response to what they consider “unacceptable” job role changes. While the strike could be called off if demands are met, it’s being referred to as a “journée noir” (black day) in the French press, and expectations are that up to 70% of flights across the country will be affected.

Other unions, including UNSA-UTCAC, are also taking part in the strikes, and SNCTA have told people to expect “major disruption and long delays” for at least 24 hours. If you have a flight booked for Thursday, then it’s essential to double-check that your flight is still running – cancellation rates will likely be high. If your flight is going ahead, prepare for potentially long delays and leave extra time at the airport – your transport provider should issue advice for how to proceed.

We announced the opening of the French tax season two weeks ago, and it’s now less than a month until the first deadline for submitting your tax return. If you are resident in France, you must submit an annual tax return, even if you have no income to declare or no French taxes to pay. Find out the 2024 tax deadlines here and read our 12 Essential Articles to Get You Through French Tax Season.

Most French second-home owners who are tax resident overseas will not need to file a tax return (unless you receive rental income in France), but you must still fill in the new declaration d’occupation for your property if you did not file one in 2023 or if the status of your property has changed – see our article for more details.

Other property owners that need to file a tax declaration are those liable for wealth tax or impôt sur la fortune immobilière (IFI) – however, this only applies if the total value of your property or properties adds up to more than €1.3 million. Find out more here.

France’s spring school holidays come to an end this week for schools in Zone C (which includes Paris, Toulouse, and Montpellier), who headed back to school yesterday. Schoolchildren in Zone A (which includes Bordeaux, Lyon, and much of central France) are still on holiday this week, while Zone B schools started their 2-week break this Saturday, April 20th.

Check out the full calendar of 2024 school holidays in France.

Hot on the heels of last week’s webinar (which was our most popular to date!), we’ve just announced two more upcoming FrenchEntrée webinars. Register now so you don’t miss out (and don’t worry, if you can’t make it, we’ll send you the link to watch the replay!).