France: Originals of Attestations 2779 or 2777 required by the French tax authorities

24.03.2022

LuxCSD informs customers of stricter controls applied by the French Tax Authorities (FTA) on Attestations 2779 or 2777 provided to them in the frame of a reclaim of withholding tax 

Effective

immediately

only originals of the attestations are accepted by the FTA. 

Background

LuxCSD1 and when applicable, its local depository BNP Paribas Securities Services in their role of withholding tax agents, will provide Attestations 2779 or 2777 to the customers requesting to file a reclaim to the FTA. The updated procedure to request such attestations was recently published in Announcements C21054 and A21133

In a recent communication to LuxCSD, the FTA informed that they have noticed an increased number of requests filed to them using only copies of Attestations 2779 or 2777. To ensure a proper treatment and avoid duplicate refunds being granted, the FTA informed that only originals can be accepted for each reclaim of tax by Double Taxation Treaties’ (DTT) residents or exemption for foreign collective investment funds (CIVs).

The FTA have also informed their interlocutors such as lawyers, intermediary banks and other companies filing reclaims of such strict practice. 

Impact on customers

LuxCSD always provide an original Attestation 2779 for each request made by its customers. 

Attestation 2777 provided by BNP Paribas Securities Services, usually in original version, is mailed to the customer.

It is the entire responsibility of the customers and beneficial owners to ensure that they use only original versions when filing reclaims to the FTA. 

Clearstream Banking  cannot be held responsible for any rejection by the FTA due to the use of copies of the original attestations provided by LuxCSD or BNP Paribas Securities Services.

Further information

For further information, please contact the Clearstream Banking Tax Help Desk, Clearstream Banking Client Services or your Relationship Officer.

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1. LuxCSD refers to LuxCSD S.A., registered office at 42, Avenue J.F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register under number B-154.449.