Executive orders, tax returns and voting from abroad

Welcome to The Local’s “Americans in France” newsletter for members, featuring all the news and practical information you need as an American resident, visitor or second-home owner in France. You can sign up to receive it directly to your inbox before we publish it online via the link below. 

Dear Americans in France, 

Even though we are still a few years out, the news in France is very centred around the 2027 presidential election and whether far-right politician Marine Le Pen will be able to run, after being found guilty of embezzlement and banned from holding public office. 

Here’s what the future may hold for Le Pen and the French far right.

Tax season in France is rapidly approaching, and it has already begun in the United States. As a reminder, US citizens are still required to submit an US tax return every year, even though they no longer reside on US soil.

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Americans abroad do benefit from an automatic two-month extension for their American returns (meaning your tax return would be due June 15th instead of April 15th). You can also ask for an extension, if needed. Meanwhile, French tax declarations are usually due late-May or early June (depending on your location in France).

If you’re feeling lost, we have our 2025 bumper tax guide that has answers all of the frequently asked questions when it comes to French taxes. 

It can also be confusing to determine which tax return to file first – French or American? To get a better idea, The Local spoke with tax expert Jonathan Hadida.

In other news, every four weeks, we publish an article with all of the big changes and events for the month ahead. This April, one change will affect Americans who wish to move to France or spend more than 90 out of every 180 days here. The French government has changed the company they use to process visa applications from the US. 

VFS Global will no longer serve as the application centre for Americans applying for French visas. Instead, it will be replaced by TLSContact. Here is how that change might affect your ongoing or upcoming visa application to France.

In the ongoing saga of tensions between the US and Europe, a new disagreement has flared up between the US in France. This time, the dispute stems from a letter the US embassy sent to French companies doing business with the US. In the letter, the companies were reportedly asked to certify that they “do not practice programmes to promote diversity, equity and inclusion” or DEI. In response, the French trade ministry condemned the United States’ ‘interference’ in French companies.

US President Donald Trump also issued a new executive order that – if it holds up in court – could make it harder for overseas Americans’ to vote.

Meanwhile, the SAVE Act, which also seeks to tighten voter registration rules, and could also make it harder for Americans in France to vote, is expected to come up for a vote in the House of Representatives soon.

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And finally, we would love to hear from you. You can give your best tips for other Americans in France or ask us questions via our ongoing survey.

After the last edition of this newsletter, one reader – Stephen in Rennes – said: “For me, there are ways of doing things that the French take for granted that are totally surprising, and I would like someone to explain them to me before I trip into them.”

We’re happy to help – as many of us know, it can be difficult dodge a scolding in France. Here are our best tips to avoid being told off.

Another reader, Jody, asked us “Why do I keep getting refused for an apartment in Paris when I meet the qualifications?”

“It is BRUTAL to find housing, especially rentals, at least in Paris. You can know some French, you can have 4 times the amount that you need – still, GOOD LUCK.”

I am right there with you Jody. I have been through this process three times, and it is always stressful and confusing.

One of the best things you can do is to verify that your dossier includes every element the landlord has asked for. If you are struggling with the ‘guarantor’ step, there are some alternatives if the landlord insists on one.

Thanks for reading, and as always, you can reach me at genevieve.mansfield@thelocal.com.