Americans in France: 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.
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- Euronews
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But even as other G7 leaders defuse any public disputes with Trump, the US president's vision for the world remains largely incompatible with what they want. The grand military parade that US President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barrelled down Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute. It played out against the counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the US leader as a dictator and would-be king. During the parade, which coincided with Trump's 79th birthday, he sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and dark clouds shrouded the Washington Monument. The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when the parade was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary. Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the US capital. In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said 'Homes not drones' not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the Army's birthday. Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise. Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said that the parade 'was a little over the top.' Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a 'very bold statement to the world, perhaps.' 'No Kings' rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities, designed to counter what organisers said were Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and flag day. Organisers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The parade was added just a few weeks ago to the planned celebration of the Army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route. The daylong display of America's Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments. A previously calm demonstration in downtown LA quickly turned chaotic as police on horseback charged at the crowd, striking some with wood rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building. Officers then fired tear gas and crowd control projectiles at the large group, sending demonstrators, hot dog vendors and passing pedestrians fleeing through the street. Some have since regrouped, ignoring an LAPD dispersal order. 'Less lethal has been approved. Less lethal may cause discomfort and pain. It is advised that all persons leave the area,' police said in a post on X. 'It was a total 100% over-reaction. We weren't doing anything but standing around chanting peaceful protest,' said Samantha Edgerton, a 37-year-old bartender. Marines appeared for the first time at a demonstration since they were deployed to city on Friday with the stated mission of defending federal property. Dozens of Marines stood shoulder to shoulder in full combat gear, hands on their rifles, beside other law enforcement, including Department of Homeland Security officers at the National Guard. Directly in front of them, hundreds of protesters jeered in English and Spanish, telling the federal troops to go home.
