In France, a tax number is usually obtained through a standard procedure on impots.gouv.fr. This works well in typical situations where income is earned only in France. If you have income from another country, recently changed your tax residency, or run a business outside France, the task changes. In these cases, it is not only about getting a tax number, but about getting it with the correct status in the system. The instructions explain how to submit a request, but they do not verify how the tax authorities classify you.

• The standard application on impots.gouv.fr is enough for typical cases.
• With foreign income, the tax authorities must determine your status: residency, tax regime, and which country has priority to tax your income.
• You can receive a tax number quickly and still be recorded incorrectly.
• Errors usually appear later: during the first tax return, an audit, or a request from another country.
• In cross-border situations, clarify your status first, then apply for the tax number.

Steps

1. Check whether your situation is typical

   A typical case means: income only from France, clear tax status, stable address, and standard documents. If you have foreign income, changed residency, work as a freelancer or run a business abroad, do not have a permanent address, or apply as an entrepreneur, your case is no longer typical.

2. Apply for a tax number using the standard procedure

   Go to impots.gouv.fr and complete the form "Demander mon numéro fiscal". Provide your ID and proof of address.

3. Receive your tax number and keep the evidence

   Wait for the official letter or confirmation and keep it safe. Store copies of all submitted documents and any correspondence.

4. If you have foreign income, check how you were classified

   The main risk is not the application itself, but how your status is recorded in the system. In cross-border situations, the tax authorities effectively decide: whether you are a resident, where your centre of interests is, which country has taxing rights, and which tax regime applies to you.

Tips

• For typical cases, the standard application on impots.gouv.fr is usually enough.
• Foreign income is not just an extra detail; it directly affects your status in the tax system.
• The most risky scenario is when the tax number is issued quickly, but your status is recorded incorrectly.
• The key moment to check everything is before your first tax return, not after a problem arises.
• Keep documents proving your residency, sources of income, and address from the very beginning.

FAQ