Automatic Income Tax Filing: Are You Eligible?

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Since 2020, income tax filing has been simplified through an automatic return system. This option allows eligible taxpayers to skip the formal submission process if the tax administration already holds complete and accurate information. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s New in 2025: Paper Returns No Longer Sent Automatically

As part of the continued shift toward online tax filing, a new rule applies in 2025:
If you filed your return online last year, you will not receive a paper version this year.
This also applies if you’ve opted for digital communications or if you’re a newly independent adult (PMR) who filed a tax return in your own name for the first time in 2024.

➡️ Learn more about paper return rules

What Is Automatic Tax Filing?

Automatic filing means certain households are exempt from actively submitting a tax return—provided the pre-filled information held by the tax authority is accurate and complete. All that’s required is a simple review of the return.

Who Qualifies in 2025?

You may be eligible if:

  • In 2024, you were taxed solely on pre-filled income (such as wages or pensions)

  • You did not report changes to your household or income type last year, such as:

    • A new address

    • Marital status changes (marriage, divorce, death)

    • A new income stream requiring advance payments (e.g., self-employment or rental income)

Automatic filing also includes:

  • Births or adoptions declared in 2024 via the “Manage my withholding” section online

  • The choice made in 2024 to tax investment income under the standard income scale (box 2OP)—this choice carries over unless manually changed

Not Eligible?

You must file a return if:

  • You claimed a tax credit for employing domestic help in 2024

  • You fall under special tax regimes (e.g., journalists, childminders, non-residents)

Non-eligible taxpayers will be notified:

  • By email, if you filed online or opted out of paper delivery

  • With a notice on your paper return, if applicable

How the Automatic Filing Process Works

Automatic filing applies to both online and paper formats.

  • If eligible and you’ve chosen digital delivery or filed online last year, you’ll receive an email letting you know your return is available in your private space on impots.gouv.fr.

  • If not, a paper return will arrive by mail in April, along with instructions.

Review = Submission

The pre-filled return includes:

  • Your family situation

  • Income (salaries, pensions, investment income)

  • Deductible CSG contributions

  • Withholding already paid

It also shows the calculated income tax and your new withholding rate, effective September 2025.

You must verify the information. To do this, log into your personal account on impots.gouv.fr and click “Verify my return data” on the homepage.

If Everything Is Correct

If no changes are needed, no action is required.
Your return is considered filed automatically, and your income tax will be calculated based on the confirmed data.

If You Need to Update Information

If any details are incorrect—such as address, household changes, income amounts, eligible deductions, or opting in/out of box 2OP—you must file a regular return:

  • Online: Click “File online” from your automatic return

  • Paper: Complete and return the form to your local tax office

➡️ Check our article for submission deadlines, which depend on your place of residence.