| |
News
October 16 -- Online tax declarations more popular
and dealt with more promptly
More than 2 million tax returns have been filed using the online
"Tax-on-Web' service. This compares to 1,305,991 declarations made in 2008,
representing a 54% increase. When the service was launched in 2003, just
57,000 declarations tax were made online, and the numbers look set to
increase even further. A survey by AXA ((Agence pour la simplification
administrative) found that 95% of those questioned said they intended to use
the online service next year and that those who had used it found it easier
and quicker than filling in the forms on paper. Furthermore, from this year,
declarations made using the Tax-on-web tool are treated with a higher
priority that those on paper. Re-imbursements to those who used the service
will be administered more rapidly than ever before and be made by the end of
November. Approximately half of all applicants receive a rebate, while about
a quarter need to pay more.
Individuals had to return the tax forms by the 3rd of July. Accountants
must return their clients declarations by the end of October.
September 1 -- Bank accounts no longer totally
blocked after death
From August 31, 2009,the bank accounts of a deceased spouse are no longer
blocked. Up to 5,000 euros, or half the amount in the account can be used by
the surviving spouse to meet regular living expenses. In the case of the
death of a partner after this date, the spouse or legal cohabitant can now
gain access to the current and saving accounts of the deceased, which will
ease the difficulties often encountered by a surviving partner when a
long time was needed to settle the estate.
Payments relating to the last illness and the funeral of the deceased
must be given priority and the amount needed to settle these bills will
excluded from the amount that is unblocked from the accounts. Partners
should take care, however, not to remove more than the stipulated ceiling,
especially when taking small amounts from different accounts. Should this
occur, the survivor must not only repay the excess, but risks losing their
rights concerning the inheritance; this includes the right to refuse the
inheritance, when the estate contains debts.
|
|
