Practical guide: how to obtain a French tax number
Background
When an individual settles in France, they must complete a number of formalities and, in particular, comply with French tax filing obligations. They will also need to open an account on impots.gouv.fr, provide their tax identification number (TIN) to banks, and enable their French employer to apply withholding tax at source.
The question
How do you obtain a French tax number (numéro fiscal) so as to be able to complete all these formalities?
The answer
To obtain a French tax number, you may send form no. 2043-SD to the public finance centre (centre des finances publiques) responsible for your home in France.
The form is entitled "Demande de taux personnalisé et/ou d'acomptes de prélèvement à la source" (request for a personalised withholding rate and/or withholding instalments); it is available on impots.gouv.fr, in French only.
Even if you are not required to provide an estimate of your income, you must still state your marital status (single, married or in a civil partnership) and whether there are children or other dependants in your tax household.
You may also go in person to your public finance centre, or write to it, providing your civil status details, a postal address and a copy of an identity document. Once your identity has been verified, you will be able to create your personal account on impots.gouv.fr using your tax number.
