Like every year, millions of French people will benefit from an income tax refund in July.
Following the tax return completed between April and June 2024, the tax authorities calculated the final amount of tax owed by taxpayers for the income received last year.
If it turns out that the sums deducted at source from wages, retirement pensions or unemployment benefits throughout 2023 were higher than the income tax due in 2024, the tax authorities must repay this overpayment. This state of affairs can, for example, be linked to a drop in income or to the fact that a taxpayer has failed to declare the birth of a child – which entitles them to an additional half share.
Tax credits can also generate a refund
In addition to paying excessively large monthly installments, certain tax credits may give rise to refunds. This mainly concerns those relating to donations, expenses for home employment, childcare or even rental investments.
Read alsoNo reductions or tax credits in the event of tax fraud
In this case, the amount reimbursed will correspond to the balance of the tax reductions and credits to which the taxpayer is entitled taking into account the 60% advance which may have already been paid to him in January 2024.
A refund is automatic
Like every year, the income tax refund date depends on the taxpayer’s situation. It will be carried out:
- by transfer, on July 24 or 31, 2024, for those who declared their income before the filing deadline (end of May or beginning of June) and for whom the tax authorities are aware of the taxpayer’s bank details. The refund date will be indicated on the tax notices;
- by letter check to be cashed, between July 24 and August 23, 2024, if the tax service is not aware of their bank details. The address used will then be the last address known by the tax administration. This payment method is also used for tax refunds paid to a deceased loved one (up to an amount of €2,500).
In both scenarios, taxpayers do not have to take any action to benefit from their reimbursement. The sum is paid into the bank account known to the tax administration if it has been communicated or, failing that, is transmitted by a check addressed to the beneficiary’s home address.
The details of the calculation appear on the tax notice which will be made available to them between the end of July and the beginning of September, in the personal space on the Impots.gouv.fr website or sent to their home by post.
Read alsoWhen will you receive your 2024 income tax notice?
Remember that to update your bank details, it is possible to connect to impots.gouv.fr, via the private area, to the “Manage my withholding tax” service, “Update your bank details” section or to contact its contact center by telephone at 0 809 401 401 (non-premium rate call), Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Since 2023, this modification has been reinforced by the sending of a single-use code sent by SMS which allows this operation to be validated.
