How do you draw up a tax return in the proper way?

If you do your own bookkeeping, it's important to have a firm grasp of the concept of tax returns and know how to declare them.

2031 tax return, 2035 tax return, 2065 tax return... there are several forms to choose from. Which one should you fill in depending on your tax regime? And what other rules do you need to know?

We'll explain how to draw up a proper tax return, and we'll also give you a few examples of software to help you!

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What is a tax return?

A tax return is a set of accounting and tax documents that French companies are obliged to submit to the tax authorities every year.

It brings together the financial and accounting information needed to calculate corporation tax(IS) or income tax(IR), depending on the legal status of the organisation.

☝️ A certain amount of formality must be observed, and the form must be completed with the utmost rigour!

Note, however, that self-employed entrepreneurs are not subject to this requirement.

What does the tax return contain?

Generally speaking, the tax return comprises the following components:

• the company's income statement;
• the annexed tables, including the items reported on the tax return.

However, the items to be provided vary depending on the nature of the company:

👉 F or companies subject to the normal tax regime:

• the balance sheet ;
• the profit and loss account ;
• statement of fixed assets and depreciation ;
• details of balance sheet provisions ;
• statement of receivables and payables at the end of the financial year;
• calculation of taxable profit;
• documents relating to deficits, the allocation of profits and capital gains and losses;
• the value added produced during the financial year;
• the composition of share capital;
• details of subsidiaries and holdings.

👉 F or companies covered by the simplified scheme :

• the balance sheet ;
• the profit and loss account ;
• statement of fixed assets and depreciation ;
• statement of capital gains or losses ;
• a statement of provisions and any deficits;
• the value added produced during the financial year;
• the composition of the share capital;
• details of subsidiaries and holdings.

Which tax return to complete depends on your tax regime?

The CERFA tax form that a company completes will depend on its tax regime:

• N° 2065 for a company subject to corporation tax ;
• N° 2031 for BIC (Industrial and Commercial Profits) ;
• N° 2035 for BNC (Non-Commercial Profits).

Depending on the nature of your organisation, you will not have to file the same returns. Let's take a closer look 🔎.

The 2031 tax return

🤓 Who is it for?

Companies subject to income tax, which come under the Industrial and Commercial Profits (BIC) regime.

📃 What documents do I need?

If you are subject to the simplified regime, you complete the 2031 tax return and the appendices:

• 2033 A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

If you are subject to the standard tax regime, you complete the 2031 tax return and the appendices :

• 2050 à 2057 ;
• 2058 A, B, C ;
• 2059 A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

The 2035 tax return

🤓 Who is it for?

The self-employed, liberal professions and auto-entrepreneurs subject to the Non-Commercial Profits (BNC) regime.

📃 Which documents?

You must complete the 2035 tax return and the appendices:

• 2035 bis ;
• 2035 ter ;
• 2035 A ;
• 2035 B ;
• and 2035 E.

The 2065 tax return

🤓 Who is it for?

Companies subject to corporation tax (IS): SAS, SASU, EURL, SARL, SCI and SC.

📃 What documents do I need?

If you are subject to the simplified tax regime, you complete the 2065 tax return and the appendices:

• 2033 A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

If you are subject to the standard tax regime, you must complete the 2065 tax return and the appendices :

• 2050 à 2057 ;
• 2058 A, B, C ;
• 2059 A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

How do I fill in my tax return?

Many companies decide to go through a third party, such as a chartered accountant or an approved management agency (AGA).

However, you can also complete the tax return yourself.

In that case, is it a good idea to use an Excel file? No, because it's too time-consuming and risky!

Only by monitoring accounting data regularly throughout the year can you ensure that your tax return is produced efficiently. Sage 100c, for example, provides precise day-to-day management of your company's accounts, giving you quick and easy access to the information you need to prepare your tax return.

With analytical functions, such as those offered by Zervant, reports are created automatically as data is entered into the system. When the tax return is filed online, the accountant doesn't need to prepare the data - it's already there.

In the same spirit, Itool Accounting offers an automatic update function: information is dynamically updated whenever there is a change in an accounting package or balance sheet. So your documents are always up to date.

How do I file my tax return?

Companies have two options for filing their tax returns:

• Companies can use EDI(Electronic Data Interchange). To use this procedure, you need to call on a chartered accountant or a specialist partner to check your data and transmit it electronically. Whichever trusted third party you choose, it must be a certified EDI partner.
  
  
• Companies covered by the simplified tax regime can transmit the required data directly via the Impots.gouv.fr website.

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When should I submit my tax return?

You must submit your tax return within the legal deadline, otherwise you will be liable to financial penalties.

However, this deadline depends on the date on which the company's accounts are closed:

• If the financial year ends on 31 December, the company has 4 months from that date to send its tax return to the Tax Department. For example, for the financial year 2023 :
  • the deadline will fall on the 2nd working day following 1 May 2024, i.e. Friday 3 May 2024, for companies not using electronic filing;
  • the due date will fall on Monday 20 May 2024 (18 May 2024 falls on a Saturday) for companies using electronic procedures (+ 15 days).
    
    
• If the financial year ends after 31 December, the deadline is reduced to 3 months. For example, for a financial year ending on 31 March 2024 :
  • the deadline will fall on 30 June 2024 for companies not using electronic procedures;
  • the deadline will be Monday 16 July 2024 (15 July 2024 falls on a Sunday) for companies using electronic procedures (+ 15 days).