Today a teleconference with the Impot (Tax) office in Carcasonne was scheduled for 2:30 PM. Instead they called rather spontaneously at 10:30 AM. It’s a good thing I wasn’t in the shower and another good thing that I had my argument all outlined and translated.
So I rushed to my computer and made my case complaining that the whole thing was crazy! (See my earlier post entitled IT’S NOT ALL A BED OF ROSES… for background.) The tax agent agreed but still defended their practices. He also agreed to remove the penalty charge of 56 euros because I had, after all, made the payment in good faith last October. It was their fault, not mine..
The next step was to make the payment which I promised to do immediately online. Come hell and high water payment was impossible because the reference number wasn’t recognized. Yet one more snafu in their system. So I checked the hours of operation and saw they reopened their office after lunch at 1:30 PM. I was there by 2 and fortunately there were no lines given the pandemic.
After paying, I asked for the third time to have my former US address removed telling them I now live only in France and that address is useless.
“J’habite en France à Montréal. J’ai quitté les états-unis l’anneé derrière! Ma maison est ici.” (I live in France in Montréal. I left the US last year! My home is here.)
Let’s see what happens. Having the contact address updated is important because they have been sending all correspondence to the US to wither in some trash barrel at the Atlanta post office despite my pleas otherwise. No wonder I’ve been in the dark!
I drove to Carcassonne frustrated and angry. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I was able to make the payment and take care of the address issue. I was out within 15 minutes total. My mood improved.
The drive home was on the magnificent D119 shaded by plane trees cutting through numerous vineyards and fields of wheat and sunflowers (tournesols) now in full bloom. I stopped to take a few pictures and was reminded that while there are frustrations, the payoff is to be able to live in this beautiful country. Hopefully this year’s taxes will process more efficiently.
Beautiful, indeed. It’s all part of the adventure, Tom! Looks like you’re on the road to a happy ending. Well done.
Thanks, Tom.
Glad you reached resolution! And took the moment to enjoy the country you now call home. Kudos! Kristin
Thanks, Kristin! Today I had another drive that will necessitate a return trip for photos. The views were like postcards…. It reaffirms my decision to be here. Simply beautiful.
I love reading your blog posts Tom. I’m preparing for when we move to France as well!
Thank you, Francoise! Do you have a timeline? Region?
Your photos lifted my spirit as well. If we find ourselves in a quarantine situation, how blessed that it’s in a beautiful space. New country, new customs, and unanticipated bumps. If nothing else, it offers fodder for your blog. We’ll see what new adventures are waiting.
Exactly! Je ne me plaine pas! (I can’t complain!) Especially during this pandemic. There is nowhere I would rather be.
J’espère que tous ses problèmes avec le système fiscal français sont résolu . .
Moi aussi!
Bien joué, M. BERRY!
Merci, Greg!