After filing your income tax return in the spring, the tax administration is preparing to regularize income tax. Some taxpayers will receive refunds this summer, while others will have to pay additional tax from September. The administration has clarified the official schedule for refunds and withdrawals for 2026.
Payments will begin in July.
According to information published Service-Public.frTaxpayers who paid too much tax due to tax withholding or took advantage of rebates and tax credits will automatically receive a refund between July and August 2026. The amounts will be transferred directly to the bank account indicated at the Directorate General of Public Finance (DGFiP). If there are no registered bank details, the check will be sent to the taxpayer’s home address.
Conversely, if the amounts deducted at source in 2025 are lower than the tax actually due, or if the tax credit advance paid in January 2026 is too large, the balance will remain due. No special actions are required: the deduction will be carried out automatically by the tax administration according to the planned schedule.
Payment in one or more installments
The payment method will depend on the remaining amount. When the balance less than or equal to 300 eurosit will be taken in one go September 25, 2026. Beyond this threshold the payment will be divided into four equal termstook over September 25, October 26, November 25 etc. December 28, 2026. This system allows taxpayers to smooth out their payments when the amount is larger.
Checking your bank details is still important
Before carrying out refund or direct debit transactions, the administration recommends checking the banking information recorded in your personal account on the tax website. Incorrect contact information may delay your refund or make it difficult to collect your tax balance. Taxpayers can also review their tax notice, available over the summer, to see exactly how their tax is calculated and the potential amount they may receive or pay.
Since the introduction of withholding tax, the annual tax return allows you to compare the tax actually owed with the amounts already deducted. This regularization is now fully automated: be it a refund or an additional payment, the transactions are carried out directly by the DGFiP without any special formalities on the part of the taxpayers. However, it is still important to review the tax notice to verify the calculated amounts and applicable deadlines.