Official letters: what they mean
Letters from French administrations — what each one says, the deadline set by the rules, and the usual steps. Every card cites the official page and the date it was checked.
The heading is the term used on the official page, not a quotation from the letter itself.
Caisse d'allocations familiales (Caf)
Accusé de réception et pièces à transmettre
Confirmation that a démarche was filed online. It is not a decision: if the email says it will be processed on receipt of the pièces justificatives, the file waits for those documents.
What the rules provide
The confirmation itself needs no reply. Requested documents are sent through Mon Compte: without them the file does not move.
Deadline
The source gives no general deadline for sending documents. What is missing is shown in Mon Compte, under «Mes démarches».
Usual steps
- Log in to Mon Compte on caf.fr or in the Caf – Mon Compte app.
- «Mes démarches» → «A transmettre» tab: send each type of document separately; smartphone photos are accepted.
- A confirmation email arrives within minutes; the document is attached to the file a few hours later.
Where
caf.fr → Mon Compte → «Mes démarches»; source — caf.fr, «Transmettre un document via mon Compte».
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type caf.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: caf.fr — Questions/Réponses « Transmettre un document via mon Compte » (PDF) (2022-02-10) — checked 2026-10-16
Caisse d'allocations familiales (Caf)
Prestations versées à tort
A letter saying the Caf paid more than it should have (trop perçu, indu) and is asking for the difference back.
What the rules provide
The rules provide for repayment in one go or in instalments, deducted from later payments.
Deadline
The deadline to respond is stated in the letter itself. The period the Caf can claim back is 2 years, or 5 years in case of fraud or false statements.
Usual steps
- Check the amount, the period and the proposed way of repaying in the letter.
- If you disagree, the usual first step is your Caf, then the médiateur Caf.
- Changes in the household must be reported to the Caf without waiting, even if impôts or the CPAM already know — the rules keep that duty, and it is what prevents new overpayments.
Where
Caf; rules — service-public.fr, F2269 and F20841.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type caf.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F2269 (2026-06-27) · service-public.fr — F20841 (médiateur Caf) (2026-04-10) — checked 2026-10-15
Assurance Maladie (CPAM)
Attestation de droits
A document confirming that you are covered by the Assurance Maladie.
What the rules provide
No reply is needed. It is asked for when starting a job, in hospital, when enrolling a child in a crèche, or taking out a mutuelle.
Deadline
No deadline: this is a confirmation, not a demand.
Usual steps
- It can be downloaded from your compte ameli (Documents) or the Compte ameli app.
- Without an account: at the CPAM in person, or by phone on 3646.
- The paper copy of your carte Vitale data is not an attestation de droits.
Where
ameli.fr; rules — service-public.fr, F10662.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type ameli.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F10662 (2026-08-07) — checked 2026-10-15
Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie (CPAM)
Commission de recours amiable
A CPAM decision (refusal, recalculation, request) that the recipient disagrees with.
What the rules provide
The rules provide a mandatory first step before court — an appeal to the Commission de recours amiable (CRA) of one's own caisse.
Deadline
The CRA is contacted within 2 months of the date the decision was notified. The CRA answers within 2 months; silence after that means refusal. After that, 2 months to go to the tribunal judiciaire (pôle social).
Usual steps
- Find the CRA address in the notification: it is given there.
- The appeal to the CRA is usually sent by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, which shows the deadline was met.
- If the CRA refuses or does not answer within 2 months, the next step is the tribunal judiciaire (pôle social), also within 2 months.
Where
One's own caisse d'Assurance maladie; rules — service-public.fr, F2500.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type ameli.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F2500 (2026-09-28) — checked 2026-10-16
France Travail (anciennement Pôle emploi)
Radiation de la liste des demandeurs d'emploi
France Travail's notice before removal from the jobseekers' list (radiation): reason and planned duration.
What the rules provide
The rules provide that written observations can be submitted before the decision.
Deadline
Observations: 10 calendar days from the date the letter was sent; the decision follows within 15 calendar days. Contesting removal: 2 months from the decision.
Usual steps
- Note the date the letter was sent: the 10 days run from that date, not from receipt.
- Observations are sent in writing to France Travail, with documents that explain the situation.
- If removal is decided: a réclamation to France Travail, then the médiateur, then the tribunal administratif. The decision applies during the challenge.
Where
France Travail; rules — service-public.fr, F1638 (page checked 13.06.2025; no newer official page found — searched 16.10.2026).
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type francetravail.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F1638 (2025-06-13) — checked 2026-10-16
France Travail (anciennement Pôle emploi)
Convocation écrite
A written invitation from France Travail to a meeting, interview or information session.
What the rules provide
The rules provide that written invitations from France Travail are answered. Missing an appointment without a legitimate reason is one of the grounds for removal from the jobseekers' list.
Deadline
The date and time are in the letter itself.
Usual steps
- Note the date and place of the meeting from the letter.
- The rules give as legitimate reasons for absence, for example: starting a job, illness, an employer meeting, starting training, an unforeseen travel problem.
- The law does not provide for invitations by phone: the written one is what counts.
Where
France Travail; rules — service-public.fr, F1638 (page checked 13.06.2025; no newer official page found — searched 16.10.2026).
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type francetravail.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F1638 (2025-06-13) — checked 2026-10-16
France Travail (anciennement Pôle emploi)
Trop-perçu d'allocations
A letter saying France Travail paid benefits (ARE, Aref, ASP and others) that were not due, and asking for them back.
What the rules provide
The rules provide for repayment by deduction from benefits or on demand; instalments (échelonnement) or a write-off (remise) can be requested.
Deadline
A recours gracieux to France Travail: 2 months from notification of the overpayment. Repayment can be claimed for 3 years from payment, 10 in case of fraud. A contrainte is challenged within 15 days.
Usual steps
- Check the amount, the period and the repayment method in the letter.
- If you disagree: a réclamation to France Travail, then the médiateur France Travail, then court.
- France Travail proposes instalments by letter — they require agreement.
Where
France Travail; rules — service-public.fr, F31592.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type francetravail.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F31592 (2024-10-08) — checked 2026-10-16
Direction générale des Finances publiques (impots.gouv.fr)
Avis d'impôt sur les revenus
The result of last year's income tax: declared income, number of parts, revenu fiscal de référence, tax amount and the date by which it is paid. People who owe no tax receive it too (avis de non-imposition).
What the rules provide
The letter itself needs no reply. If tax is due, it is paid by the date shown on the avis. The document serves as proof of income: administrations, banks and landlords ask for it.
Deadline
The rules allow income tax to be contested until 31 December of the 2nd year after the year of mise en recouvrement (shown on the avis): for tax of 2026, until 31 December 2028.
Usual steps
- Check against the return: income, number of parts, revenu fiscal de référence.
- Find on the avis the mise en recouvrement date and the payment deadline.
- If there is a mistake, a réclamation is usually filed through the espace particulier on impots.gouv.fr.
Where
impots.gouv.fr, espace particulier; rules — service-public.fr, F99 and F1064.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type impots.gouv.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F99 (2026-01-01) · service-public.fr — F1064 (délai de réclamation) (2026-07-30) — checked 2026-10-16
Direction générale des Finances publiques (impots.gouv.fr)
Avis de situation déclarative à l'impôt sur le revenu (ASDIR)
A document available as soon as the income tax return is filed online; it confirms what was declared.
What the rules provide
No reply needed. The rules stress that the ASDIR is not an avis d'impôt; the tax result comes in a separate avis.
Deadline
No deadline: it is a statement, not a request.
Usual steps
- Keep the ASDIR: it serves as proof of the filed return until the avis d'impôt arrives.
- Wait for the avis d'impôt: it gives the tax amount and the payment and appeal deadlines.
Where
impots.gouv.fr, espace particulier; rules — service-public.fr, F99.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type impots.gouv.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F99 (2026-01-01) — checked 2026-10-16
Direction générale des Finances publiques (impots.gouv.fr)
Avis de taxe foncière en ligne
An email saying the avis de taxe foncière has been posted in the espace particulier on impots.gouv.fr, under «Documents». People who chose the online avis get it this way: no paper avis follows.
What the rules provide
The rules provide for payment by the date on the avis, even when a réclamation has been filed. Late payment carries a 10% surcharge.
Deadline
The date is on the avis. In 2026: 15 October by cheque, transfer or cash (allowed only if the amount is €300 or less), 20 October online. The tax can be contested until 31 December of the year after the year of mise en recouvrement.
Usual steps
- Log in to impots.gouv.fr and open the avis under «Documents».
- Check the property and the amount, find the payment date on the avis.
- Pay online in the espace particulier, or with the flashcode on the avis in the impots.gouv app.
Where
impots.gouv.fr, espace particulier → «Documents»; rules — service-public.fr, A15144, F59, F1064.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type impots.gouv.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — A15144 (taxe foncière 2026 : date limite) (2026-10-07) · service-public.fr — F59 (2026-09-25) · service-public.fr — F1064 (délai de réclamation) (2026-07-30) — checked 2026-10-16
Direction générale des Finances publiques (impots.gouv.fr)
Pénalité de 10 % pour retard de paiement
A letter about a 10 % surcharge on tax that was not paid on time.
What the rules provide
The rules provide for a surcharge of 10 % of the tax due if it is not paid within 45 days of the mise en recouvrement date.
Deadline
The surcharge applies if the tax is not paid within 45 days of the mise en recouvrement date. The deadline to reply to the letter itself is in the letter.
Usual steps
- Check the tax amount and the mise en recouvrement date on the avis d'impôt.
- In financial difficulty, the rules allow asking the tax office for extra time to pay.
- Questions go to the tax information service: 0809 401 401, weekdays 8h30–19h.
Where
impots.gouv.fr; rules — service-public.fr, F34200.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type impots.gouv.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F34200 (2026-01-01) — checked 2026-10-16
Direction générale des Finances publiques (DGFiP)
Mise en demeure de déposer votre déclaration
The tax office says your income tax return has not been filed and requires you to file it.
What the rules provide
The rules provide for a surcharge for filing late: 10%; 20% if filed within 30 days of this letter; 40% if not filed within those 30 days. Plus interest of 0.20% a month.
Deadline
30 days from receiving the letter.
Usual steps
- The return is filed online in the espace particulier while filing is open, otherwise on the paper form.
- Questions: Service d'information des impôts, 0809 401 401 (Mon–Fri, 8:30–19:00), or your service des impôts.
Where
impots.gouv.fr; rules — service-public.fr, F34175.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type impots.gouv.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F34175 (2026-06-05) — checked 2026-10-15
Direction générale des Finances publiques (contrôle fiscal)
Proposition de rectification
A letter from the tax office after a check: it proposes changing the tax and explains why.
What the rules provide
The rules provide for a reply — acceptance (acceptation) or objections (observations).
Deadline
The reply is due within 30 days of receiving the letter; on the taxpayer's request it is extended by another 30 days. The date of the reply is the date the observations are sent.
Usual steps
- Note the date of receipt: the 30 days run from it.
- The rules grant another 30 days on the taxpayer's request; the office's address is in the letter itself.
- The date of the reply is the date the observations are sent, not the date the tax office receives them.
Where
The tax office named in the letter; rule — DGFiP doctrine (BOFiP, BOI-CF-IOR-10-50-10, 19.05.2021), not a service-public page.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type impots.gouv.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: BOFiP — BOI-CF-IOR-10-50-10 (2021-05-19) — checked 2026-10-16
Direction générale des Finances publiques (impots.gouv.fr)
Réclamation : suivi de la demande
A notice that a réclamation (request to review a tax) has been received. It holds no decision: a refusal arrives by registered letter (lettre RAR), approval as an avis de dégrèvement.
What the rules provide
No reply is needed. A réclamation does not suspend payment of the tax; the rules allow a request to defer it (sursis de paiement).
Deadline
The administration has 6 months to decide; it may extend this by at most 3 months, and only with notice. With no answer after 6 months, or a decision that does not satisfy, the courts can be seized; for income tax, the tribunal administratif within 2 months of receiving the decision.
Usual steps
- Follow progress in the espace Finances publiques on impots.gouv.fr.
- Watch the paper mail too: a refusal arrives by lettre RAR.
- In case of disagreement the rules provide for the conciliateur fiscal départemental; the 2-month court deadline keeps running.
Where
impots.gouv.fr, espace Finances publiques; rules — service-public.fr, F110 and F32477.
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type impots.gouv.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: service-public.fr — F110 (2026-07-30) · service-public.fr — F32477 (conciliateur fiscal) (2026-05-22) — checked 2026-10-16
Urssaf
Mise en demeure
Urssaf's formal demand to pay overdue contributions (cotisations) and the surcharges added to them.
What the rules provide
The rules provide for payment of the contributions; late-payment surcharges of 5 % of the contributions are added.
Deadline
Payment is due within 1 month of receiving the mise en demeure.
Usual steps
- Check the contributions, the period and the surcharges in the letter.
- The rules allow asking for the surcharges to be waived (remise des majorations) — the procedure is on the Urssaf page.
- For payment difficulty, the Urssaf site has a separate procedure, «Demander un délai de paiement».
Where
Urssaf, online account; rules — urssaf.fr, «Demander une remise de majorations».
How to tell it is genuine
Check your account, not the email: type urssaf.fr yourself and log in. Neither the sender's address, nor a logo, nor a link in the email proves anything.
Source: urssaf.fr — Demander une remise de majorations (2026-02-05) — checked 2026-10-15
Fiscly is an educational tool to help you understand the French tax system. It is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Tax situations are individual — always verify with impots.gouv.fr or a qualified accountant (expert-comptable) for your specific case.