Wealth Management
A long-term investment strategy built around each family's goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk, on both sides of the Atlantic.
Learn moreChoosing private banks and asset managers, negotiating terms, and monitoring performance and fees on an ongoing basis.
Learn moreA single view of all assets held across several banks and countries, so that every decision is an informed one.
Learn moreStructuring private financing, in particular for the purchase or renovation of a home in France, in step with your real estate strategy.
Life insurance and capitalization contracts, investment wrappers and funds chosen according to each person's tax residence, with full attention to the constraints facing US taxpayers (FATCA, PFIC) and British taxpayers.
Learn morePreparing the next generation, organizing family decision-making and planning the transfer of financial assets.
Regulatory status
Chevrons Family Office conducts its wealth management activity as a Conseiller en investissements financiers (CIF, the French regulated status for independent financial advisors) and as an insurance broker registered with ORIAS, the French register of financial and insurance intermediaries.
Frequently asked questions
Investment taxation, structuring and estate planning in France.
Since January 1, 2026, the Social Security Financing Act has raised French social charges from 17.2% to 18.6% on most investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains on securities), bringing the flat tax (PFU) from 30% to 31.4%. Taxpayers may still elect the progressive income tax scale, which can be more favorable thanks to the 40% allowance on dividends; the election is made each year and covers all of the household's eligible income.
It comes out of the reform strengthened: its earnings remain subject to social charges at 17.2%, versus 18.6% for a securities account, a PEA or a PER retirement plan. After eight years, withdrawals benefit from an annual allowance of €4,600 on earnings (€9,200 for a couple). On death, proceeds from premiums paid before age 70 are exempt up to €152,500 per beneficiary (article 990 I of the French Tax Code); for premiums paid after 70, article 757 B provides an overall allowance of €30,500.
Contributing shares to a company you control defers the tax on the capital gain (article 150-0 B ter of the French Tax Code). If the holding company sells the contributed shares within three years, the deferral is kept only if at least 60% of the sale proceeds are reinvested in an eligible business activity within two years. This regime is being amended in the 2027 Finance Bill: any transaction must be aligned with the text as finally enacted.
A gift of bare ownership is taxed only on the value of that bare ownership, set by the age-based scale in article 669 of the French Tax Code; on death, the usufruct merges with the bare ownership without further tax. Combined with the €100,000 allowance per parent and per child, renewable every fifteen years, it remains the most common tool for early wealth transfer. On cash, a quasi-usufruct creates a restitution debt deductible from the estate, which must be carefully documented.
Only debts relating to taxable assets, outstanding on January 1 and actually borne by the taxpayer, are deductible (article 974 of the French Tax Code). Interest-only (in fine) loans are subject to notional amortization, and loans from a household member or a controlled company are in principle disregarded. Above €5 million of taxable assets, the deduction is capped when debts exceed 60% of the value of the property.
Investing in France as a US taxpayer.
Yes, but it loses most of its appeal: the IRS does not recognize the wrapper, and the funds inside it generally qualify as PFICs, which requires an annual Form 8621 filing and a punitive tax regime. The euro-denominated fund (fonds en euros) generally falls outside that classification. Each contract must therefore be structured case by case, with a US-French tax advisor.
The PEA is recognized in France but not in the United States: dividends and gains are taxable on the US side as soon as they are realized, without the deferral they enjoy in France. Invested directly in European stocks, it avoids the PFIC trap; invested in funds or ETFs, it runs straight into it.
The income tax treaty of August 31, 1994 includes a mechanism specific to US citizens resident in France: for certain US-source income, notably dividends and interest, France grants a tax credit equal to the French tax, so that ultimately only US tax is due. French-source income remains taxed in France, and the French tax is then credited in the United States under the foreign tax credit.
Every US citizen or tax resident reports foreign accounts on the FBAR once their aggregate balance exceeds $10,000 at any time during the year, on Form 8938 (FATCA) above higher thresholds, and each fund classified as a PFIC on Form 8621. French banks pass this information on to the US authorities, which is why some of them turn away US persons.
Real estate located in France remains subject to French inheritance tax, even for a decedent domiciled in the United States; the US-France estate and gift tax treaty of November 24, 1978 then allocates taxing rights and provides for tax credits. Since the French law of August 24, 2021, where the applicable foreign law does not recognize forced heirship, children may, under certain conditions, claim a compensatory share of property located in France: an American will must therefore be coordinated with French law.
General information current as of November 2026, subject to future finance acts. It does not constitute personalized advice: each situation must be reviewed individually.
Contact
Every relationship begins with a confidential conversation. Write to us to arrange an initial meeting, in Paris or by video call.
contact@chevronsfamilyoffice.comChevrons Family Office
97 Bd Malesherbes – 75008 Paris
