Any experience of commuting to France for work ..........

[tllm2]

My partner and I are in the very early stages of grappling with the idea of him taking a post based in France (but paid in Swiss francs - God knows why) and trying to work out whether its workable for him to commute or whether we upsticks completely and move, kids, dog, 'lock, stock and barrell'.

I wondered whether anyone had any experience of negotiating the Inland Revenue rules on 'double taxation', as being clobbered twice in tax terms would effectively rule out the commuting option straightaway.

Does anyone have any insight into the fabulous Inland Revenue in practice in this kind of area.........

[EmilyE]

It does get a bit complicated, but is perfectly workable. I think this is how it works (at least, this is how I do it) but I'm not a tax adviser.

My French income is taken off at source at somewhere between 15 and 20%. When I do my tax return I do a self-assessment form showing my revenue on the 'Foreign pages' of the form which allows me to also show the tax I've already paid in France, which is then offset against the amount I would have to pay in England.

I think things get more complicated if you are spending more than half your time in France and goodness knows how the Swiss Franc enters into things.

But in short there is a treaty between France and England so you shouldn't be taxed twice over on the same income.

[tllm2]

Was thinking that he may well end up spending more than half his time in France (if he stays away 3/4 nights a week) and we spend the holidays over there and also wondered whether the Swiss Franc element is some sort of 'benefit' that is passing us by.

[Shaggy]

If he is commuting, and therefore spending more than a negligible amount of time in the uk (I've forgotten the exact amount) he will be subject to UK tax, but won't be double taxed. I suggest getting an accountant to work it out so that you have somebody to sue if there is a stuff up.

I suspect the Swiss franc element is because the euro isn't the most attractive currency in the world at the moment, what with default threats and suggestions that the the eurozone might get broken up.