Does anyone know the actual facts regarding exemption from paying the "rede-wotsit audiovisuel"? I hear conflicting stories of how old you need to be, etc. and wondered if anyone knows for certain, or is it one more of those things that will be different in different departments?

Never seen any mention of age for it.

You declare on your tax return if you have a TV/radio in your house whether its a main home or holiday home.

Otherwise I think its declared to your mairie and the bill for it is included in your tax D'habitation/Fonciere.

I have heard it was a combination of low income and age. I'm fine on the income part as I am below the French poverty level but only just turned 65 and I think you need to be 70 to get the free license. I won't be telling the mairie anything until I know I won't have to pay. My tax habitation is paid for because of low income but I am still required to pay the fonciere. The TV license is a separate issue.

I got a factual response for this posting on another forum and was given this link http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F88.xhtml which if I have translated it correctly, does seem to indicate that I am not liable for the license fee as I do not pay the habitation tax. Yippee!

If you do not pay habitation . You do not pay tv licence.

We have not paid Tax d'Habitation for six years but still have to pay TV licence. Excemption for TV licence is based upon a combination of age and income. Tax d'Habitation excemption does not guarantee TV licence excemption.

Regards, Ray.

From the government website.

Personnes exonérées

Personnes exonérées de taxe d'habitation

Si vous êtes exonéré de taxe d'habitation, vous n'avez pas à payer la contribution à l'audiovisuel public.