Investment in France

Yield, taxes,
treaty math.

Patrimonial strategy for US residents. Rental yield analysis (long and short-term). SCI vs. direct ownership structuring. US-France tax treaty coordination. Capital gains and inheritance planning that holds on both sides of the Atlantic.

A French property held by a US resident lives in two tax systems at once. Getting the structure right at acquisition can make a significant difference every year. Getting it wrong can take years to unwind. Montclair’s patrimonial advisory team builds that structure for its French clients, and extends the same work, in English, to American buyers.

The process

Five steps. One associé.

01
First call

Patrimony review

A call to understand your existing US patrimony, your French goals, your retirement horizon, and your appetite for complexity over simplicity.

02
Analysis

Yield and tax modeling

We model rental yield (long-term lease, short-term, mixed). We project French income tax, social charges (CSG / CRDS), and the US tax credit available under the treaty.

03
Structure

Ownership architecture

Direct ownership vs. SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) vs. holding structure. Inheritance optimisation for US heirs against French forced heirship rules.

04
Coordination

US CPA hand-off

We deliver a clean French-side data pack to your US CPA. Annual FATCA / FBAR coordination. Form 8938 and Form 5471 data prep.

05
Ongoing

Annual review

Annual review of your French structure, support with French tax filings (déclarations 2042, 2044, 2031), and treaty optimisation opportunities.

What’s included

Everything in writing.

  • Patrimony review with Montclair’s investment lead (Rémy Pampin)
  • Yield modeling (long-term, short-term, mixed scenarios)
  • Tax projection: French income tax plus CSG / CRDS plus US treaty credit
  • SCI vs. direct ownership analysis with break-even modeling
  • Inheritance planning compatible with US trusts
  • Annual FATCA / FBAR coordination with your US CPA
  • Support with French tax filings (déclarations 2042, 2044, 2031)
  • Annual review and structure optimisation
  • Capital gains planning when you decide to sell
Pricing

Clear fees. No commissions.

Patrimonial advisory · a Montclair service
On quotation

Agreed in writing before engagement, based on complexity (single property vs. portfolio, single ownership vs. SCI, simple lease vs. mixed use). Includes the annual review, support with French filings, and US CPA coordination. SCI setup is quoted separately if needed.

Get a precise quote
FAQ

Common questions.

Don’t see yours? Email us directly.

Are you a US tax advisor?+
No. We coordinate with your US CPA, or introduce you to a US-FR specialist if you do not have one. We handle the French side: structure, filings, coordination.
Do I need an SCI?+
Sometimes yes, often no. If you are buying alone for residence, direct ownership is simpler. If you are buying with family, scaling to two or more properties, or planning inheritance for US heirs, an SCI is usually the answer.
How does the US-France tax treaty work?+
Foreign tax credit on the US side for French taxes paid. In effect, you do not double-pay. The mechanics are precise and both sides need to align at filing time, which is exactly what we coordinate.
What about Airbnb income?+
France treats short-term rental income differently. Above €77k a year you switch from BIC micro to régime réel. Above 120 nights a year in Paris you are classified as professional. We plan the threshold strategy with you.
Related guide: Properties for sale in France
Next step

Submit your project.

It begins with a first conversation. You will receive a reply within 48 hours, with a clear and honest view of what we can do for your project.

Submit your project