I have owned a house in France en tontine for 19 yrs.Am I immune frtom capital gains tax.?

Q: The 3 joint owners of the property are not married and there are no children. 2 of the owners have siblings. Am I correct that these siblings have no right of inheritance as the property is owned en tontine?

A: I believe a recent change of French law will make you pay death duties of 40% of the house value 'up front' before it can be sold.This guarentees the French exchequer the cash so that foreigners cannot escape 'home' without paying the death duty. If you cant pay then you get a loan - then the house goes on the market. If it sells less than the market valuation the difference in death duty is not returned. You're probably aware that on death all family members inherit the property in shared amounts. If the house is to be sold on death or later, then each and every member inheriting 'a share' must agree to the sale. If one person objects to the sale, then the house cannot be sold. This is the reason why many homes in France stand empty and used only as 'holiday homes'.

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