The sums unduly claimed by the tax authorities exploded in 2023, to 724 million euros, compared to 312 million in 2022. If the tax authorities easily returns the money, it is still necessary to identify the errors and claim the overpayment.
If the housing tax is ancient history for many taxpayers, owners of second homes and vacant homes must still pay it. And if every year there are between 250,000 and 450,000 disputes between the tax administration and owners, this year the bill is particularly high. The sums unduly claimed by the tax authorities for housing tax doubled in 2023 compared to 2022. These errors have in fact cost 724 million euros to the taxpayers concerned in 2023, compared to 312 million euros in 2022.
The main reason is the monumental mess of the “Manage my real estate” system. Last year, each owner had to declare their real estate and their occupancy status online. But a series of malfunctions seized up the system. In addition, there are also blunders by the tax administration, such as housing taxes sent to minor children or housing taxes on a piece of balcony.
Compare with his opinion
Besides these last two particularly crude and therefore easily identifiable examples, how can a taxpayer know if he has paid too much housing tax? Unfortunately, it is “not possible to simulate your property or secondary residence tax by yourself because these taxes are calculated based on numerous criteria linked in particular to the consistency of the taxed property”, explains the tax services on this page. The taxpayer who wishes to receive an estimate of his taxes must contact the department in charge of the sector in which the property concerned is located. Contact details for this service are available on the impots.gouv.fr website, in the “Contact and Appointments” section.
The taxpayer therefore has every interest in referring to the notice he received and comparing the amounts deducted to see if the amounts correspond.
How to claim?
And in the event of a complaint? First of all, the tax website is clear: “The complaint does not exempt you from paying your tax”. And he adds: “If your complaint is accepted, the amount paid will be refunded to you. You nevertheless have the possibility of accompanying your complaint with a request for suspension of payment. This involves indicating to the administration that you wish to defer payment of the taxes that you are contesting”.
It is possible to file your complaint online. “To do this, connect to your particular space then access the ‘Contact us / My secure messaging’ section. You can write to the administration by choosing the ‘I report an error in the calculation of my tax’ form then leave -guide you”.
For taxpayers who do not wish to proceed online, they must either write a simple letter on plain paper mentioning surnames, first names, address and handwritten signature, the designation of the tax concerned and the reason for the complaint supported by convincing supporting documents; or go to the counter. In the latter case, the complaint can then be materialized by a visit form; or call your public finance center.