Business Permits & Incorporation for Foreigners in Chamonix

Filing Obligations

Return Form

Corporate taxpayers file Form 2065 plus the full 'liasse fiscale' (forms 2050–2059 or a simplified version), covering balance sheet, income statement and mandatory tax schedules.

Filing Method

Electronic filing is mandatory for all IS companies, via the impots.gouv.fr portal or EDI through an accountant.

Payment Schedule

Corporate tax is paid via quarterly installments during the year, with the final balance due 3 months and 15 days after the fiscal year-end (e.g. mid-April for a 31 December year-end). Companies whose prior-year IS liability was below €3,000 are exempt from installments and pay in a single balance settlement.

Loss Carryforward

Tax losses can be carried forward indefinitely, offsettable up to €1,000,000 of profit plus 50% of profit exceeding that amount in later years; carry-back is limited to €1,000,000 against the immediately preceding year.

Local Business Tax Cfe

What It Is

The Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises (CFE) is a municipal business property tax owed by almost every company and self-employed person operating in France, including those working from home, calculated on the rental value of the premises used and set by the commune (Chamonix in this case) and dependent on the business's revenue from two years prior.

First Year Exemption

New businesses (including micro-entrepreneurs/auto-entrepreneurs) are generally exempt from CFE in their first year of activity.

Note

CFE is owed even by home-based micro-entrepreneurs, and is charged separately from any property tax already paid on the residence.

Corporate Income Tax IS

Standard Rate

25% flat rate on company profits (impôt sur les sociétés), applies to SARL, SAS, SASU and most incorporated forms.

SME Reduced Rate

15% on the first €42,500 of taxable profit per year for SMEs with turnover under €10 million where at least 75% of share capital is held by individuals; the 25% rate applies above that threshold.

Amount Local Reduced Rate Threshold

€42,500

Ir Option

Newly formed SARL/SAS/SASU can elect to be taxed under personal income tax (IR) instead of corporate tax (IS) for up to 5 fiscal years, subject to conditions (fewer than 50 employees, turnover/balance sheet under €10 million, not listed, majority held by individuals). This shifts profit taxation to the shareholders' personal returns rather than the company level.

Foreign Ownership

A foreign-owned French company (SARL, SAS, SASU, or a branch/succursale of a foreign parent) is taxed on French-source profits at the same 25%/15% rates as French-owned companies. A branch pays 25% CIT on French profits with no additional withholding tax when profits are repatriated to the foreign parent, but must register at the local business formalities center and follow French accounting/transfer-pricing rules.

Freelancer Vs Company Structure

Minimum Share Capital

Sa

€37,000

SARL EURL SAS

€1.00

Practical Note

Although the legal minimum for a SARL/SAS is €1, banks in practice often expect a more substantial deposit before they'll open an account, and undercapitalized companies can look less credible to partners and clients.

Local Partner Or Sponsor Mandate

Detail

A foreign individual or foreign company can hold 100% of the shares of a SARL or SAS with no requirement to have a French or EU co-shareholder.

Status

No mandatory local partner, shareholder, or sponsor is required to incorporate a French company as a foreigner.

Foreigner Specific Residence Requirements

Important Distinction

Incorporating a company does not by itself grant a residence permit; the two processes (company formation and immigration status) run on separate legal tracks.

EU EEA Swiss Nationals

Can freely set up and manage a company in France with no visa or residence permit; the process is identical to that for French nationals.

Non EU Nationals Who Stay Abroad

Can incorporate and remain the company's manager/shareholder while residing outside France, with no residence-permit formality — but banks and the registry may still request proof of identity and address abroad.

Non EU Nationals As Passive Shareholders

Can hold shares in a SARL/SAS without needing a residence permit, as long as they do not take on a management role from within France.

Non EU Nationals Who Want To Manage The Company From France

Must hold a valid residence permit that explicitly authorizes business/self-employed activity before they can legally act as the company's manager (gérant) or president. Common routes are the Talent Passport (Business Creator / Passeport Talent Création d'entreprise) or the Entrepreneur/Profession Libérale long-stay visa and residence permit.