Millions of French people complete their tax returns every year, but many errors go unnoticed. These administrative oversights or misunderstandings can lead to fines, delays in refunds or even tax audits. In 2025, six recurring errors emerge from the analyzes of experts and tax services.
1. You incorrectly enter actual costs
Business expenses or deductible expenses are often underestimated. Some taxpayers forget to declare co-ownership charges or the management fees for real estate rentals, while they can benefit from the real regime. A common mistake also concerns interest on the loan or the insurance premiumsbut deductible.
2. Overlooking tax credits and reductions
THE tax credits (for domestic work, donations to associations) e discounts (for rental investments) are often ignored. These schemes can represent significant savings, but their complexity discourages applicants.
3. Failure to declare a foreign account
Any bank account opened abroad, even inactive, must be declared. THE neobanks like N26 or Revolut, based outside France, fall into this category. Forgetting can cost up to Fine of 1,500 euros per account.
4. Confusion between tax address and residential address
The address indicated must match the principal residence on 1 January 2025. An error here can distort the calculation of property tax or cause delays in receiving tax notices. Movers in 2024 need to update on personal space.
5. Forgetting to check the “single parent” box.
Single, separated or divorced people who raise their children alone can benefit from it increase in the family ratio. The “T” box is not pre-selected from one year to the next, which explains its frequent forgetting.
6. The pitfalls of the real estate declaration
The choice between royal regime (deduction of charges) e flat rate (simplified statement) is crucial. In furnished rentals the real regime is rarely used without the help of an accountant. THE co-ownership charges and the management fees they are often forgotten.
Administrative pitfalls to be aware of
Beyond declaration errors, some administrative subtleties complicate the taxpayers’ task.
Real estate declaration regimes
The current regime requires it detailed statement income and expenses, while the flat rate simplifies the procedures. For bare rentals the real regime is often more advantageous, but requires a greater precision (property tax, loan interest, etc.).
Management of accounts abroad
Accounts opened with foreign neobanks must be declared even in the absence of income. The tax administration systematically verifies this information through international exchanges.
Family situation update
The number of dependent children and the composition of the tax family must be updated every year. An error here can distort the calculation of family quotient and reduce tax savings.
Financial and legal consequences
Reporting errors lead to sanctions AND administrative complications.
Penalties for failure to declare
Failure to provide a foreign account exposes you to a fine of €1,500 per accounteven if inactive. Mistakes in your real estate return can also lead to tax adjustments.
Errors in calculating local taxes
An incorrect tax address disturbs the calculation of the amount property tax or the house tax. Taxpayers risk receiving incorrect tax notices or administrative reminders.
Tax Audit Risks
Inconsistencies in the declaration are triggered (declared income vs. bank declarations). thorough checks. Taxpayers will then have to provide it detailed supporting documents (rental contracts, bank statements).
Solutions to avoid errors
Various strategies are needed to limit risks.
Use the features of personal space
To update tax address et family situation on the tax site is essential. This information determines the focus of government finances and local exemptions.
See the help topics
The tax site offers thematic guides clarify complex points (real estate declaration, tax credits). Experts recommend consulting them before validating the declaration.
Call an accountant
For complex cases (rental investments, foreign accounts), a accountant can avoid costly mistakes. His speech is particularly useful for royal regime or international declarations.
The evolution of the right to make mistakes
A recent legal debate calls into question the notion of “right to make mistakes”introduced in 2018.
The decision of the Council of State
In a recent case, the Council of State rejected an appeal based on art administrative press release without legal value. The taxpayers had adjusted their incomes downwards, but without providing sufficient evidence.
The limits of the right to make mistakes
This notion does not allow you to correct any errors. Applies only to honest mistakes and requires a disputed complaints procedure. Late corrections (after the initial declaration) are often inadmissible.
Implications for taxpayers
Registrants must now be strict in their actions. The “right to be wrong” does not constitute an “open bar” to freely correct statements. A solid argument AND documentary evidence they are essential.
Tax return errors, while common, have serious consequences. In 2025, taxpayers will have to be alert on foreign accounts, real estate regimes and administrative updates. The support of an expert and the use of official tools remain the best guarantees for avoiding tax traps.
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