Finances publiques (DGFiP) letter explained in English
Tax office. The public finance office. It handles income tax, property tax and other taxes.
Letters you may get
- Avis d’impôt sur le revenu — the result of your tax return, usually sent in summer
- Avis de taxe foncière — the yearly tax for property owners
- Relance or mise en demeure — you paid tax late
What to do
- Most things can be done in your personal space (espace particulier) on impots.gouv.fr, including asking questions by secure message.
- Your tax number (numéro fiscal, 13 digits) is on every notice. Use it whenever you contact them.
- Find the deadline. Look for “délai”, “avant le”, “au plus tard”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“recours gracieux”, “recours administratif préalable obligatoire”, “recours amiable”, “réclamation”, “contestation”, “recours”). See the template.
Words you may see
- avis d’imposition
- Tax notice. It shows how much tax you owe or get back.
- numéro fiscal
- Your personal 13-digit tax number. It never changes.
- taxe foncière
- Yearly local tax paid by people who own a property.
- mise en demeure
- Formal demand. A last warning before legal action.
- relance
- Reminder. You have not paid or answered yet.
Questions
What is the Finances publiques (DGFiP)?
Tax office. The public finance office. It handles income tax, property tax and other taxes.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Finances publiques (DGFiP)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “délai”, “avant le”, “au plus tard” — they mark the deadline. In France, a deadline usually starts on the day you receive the letter — for a registered letter, often the day the post first tried to deliver it. The 3 days are only an estimate, so check the envelope or the delivery notice. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“recours gracieux”, “recours administratif préalable obligatoire”, “recours amiable”, “réclamation”, “contestation”, “recours”).
Can I read a Finances publiques (DGFiP) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in French. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in France
Trésor public / Service de gestion comptable · Caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF) · France Travail (ex Pôle emploi) · Préfecture / ANEF · OFII · Assurance Maladie (CPAM) · Mutuelle / complémentaire santé · URSSAF