Taxes

France — Tax: Income Tax

France's 2026 progressive income tax scale (barème progressif), revalued 0.9% for inflation by the 2026 Finance Act, applies per share (part) of the quotient familial: 0% up to €11,600; 11% from €11,601–€29,579; 30% from €29,580–€84,577; 41% from €84,578–€181,917; and 45% above €181,917. The quotient familial divides household taxable income by a number of shares based on marital status and dependents before applying the scale, then multiplies the result back — reducing the effective marginal rate for larger households.

impots.gouv.fr / Loi de finances 2026 (LOI n° 2026-103 du 19 février 2026) · Last verified 2026-07-20

Key Facts

  • 2026 brackets (per share of quotient familial): 0% to €11,600; 11% to €29,579; 30% to €84,577; 41% to €181,917; 45% above.
  • Scale revalued 0.9% for inflation under the 2026 Finance Act (LOI n° 2026-103 du 19 février 2026).
  • Tax is calculated using the quotient familial — taxable income is divided by household 'parts' (shares) before the scale is applied, then the result is multiplied back.
  • Applies to worldwide income for French tax residents; non-residents are taxed only on French-source income, generally at a minimum rate of 20%/30%.

Steps

  1. Determine household shares (parts) — Based on marital status and number of dependents.
  2. Divide taxable income by shares — Apply the progressive scale to income-per-share.
  3. Multiply the result back by shares — This gives total household tax due.

Costs

  • Top marginal rate: 45% (above €181,917 per share)

Required Documents

  • Annual income tax return (déclaration de revenus)

Common Mistakes

  • Applying the bracket rates directly to total household income instead of income-per-share under the quotient familial system.
  • Forgetting that non-residents face a minimum tax rate on French-source income regardless of the progressive scale.

Related Topics

tax-residencycapital-gains
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