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Deadlines for all income tax declarations this spring are fast approaching with the first (for paper submissions) falling today. 

As part of a drive to ensure everyone declares the necessary information on time the French tax authorities are sending out reminder messages to those who are yet to make their submission. 

The Direction générale des finances publiques (tax authorities, DGFiP) began the campaign last week, using personal information held on users via their personal space on the French tax

website. 

Texts and emails are being sent, with the majority going out between Friday May 16 to Sunday May 18. Up to eight million texts were sent, according to the DGFiP. 

Readers who have therefore received a message and are cautious about it being a scam do not need to worry.

The texts and emails contain a simple message reminding people of the upcoming deadline, as well as a point of contact for those having difficulties, via the French tax service number (0809

401 401). 

Note that non-residents have a dedicated international number at +33 1 72 95 20 42, and accountants around France are offering free advice in the run-up to the deadlines. 

Those who fail to declare on time face additional levies on the taxes they owe. 

Although this mass text is not a scam, it is important to be aware that this is one of the main periods when scammers target individuals by pretending to be tax officials. 

The government has previously warned people over these tactics.

They can come via mass scams asking people to click on links included in texts or emails – leading to a realistic-looking but fake ‘tax’ websites – and then hand over personal details or

make false payments. 

It can also be a part of a more sophisticated ‘phishing’ scam, with fraudsters either using the information previously gathered about users and / or supplied via a fake ‘official’ text to

gain access to their bank account.